1. “Hidden Figures” (2016)
Subject: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson
This inspiring drama tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three brilliant African American women whose mathematical genius was vital to NASA's success during the space race. Their groundbreaking contributions helped America reach orbit, despite facing racial and gender discrimination.
2. “On the Basis of Sex” (2018)
Subject: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Follow the early career of this young lawyer as she takes on a groundbreaking case to overturn a century of gender discrimination. It’s a must-watch for anyone who admires RBG's trailblazing legacy in her fight for equality.
3. “Suffragette” (2015)
Subject: Suffragettes in the United Kingdom
This historical drama follows the women’s suffrage movement in early 20th-century Britain. Many of the film’s characters are based on real women who risked everything for the right to vote.
4. “Shirley” (2024)
Subject: Shirley Chisholm
Regina King stars as Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress. This powerful film follows her historic 1972 presidential campaign and the barriers she broke along the way.
5. “The Six Triple Eight” (2024)
Subject: The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only US Women's Army Corps unit of color stationed overseas in World War II
Witness the untold story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an African American female battalion during World War II. These battle-ready women were tasked with sorting 17 million letters in an effort to boost morale among soldiers and their families back home.
6. “The Sound of Music” (1965)
Subject: Maria von Trapp
Set against the backdrop of the Austrian Alps, this timeless classic tells the story of Maria, a young nun who becomes a governess to the von Trapp children. Through music, love and resilience, Maria helps the family find joy and unity in the face of oppression.
7. “A League of Their Own” (1992)
Subject: The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
This film brings a more comedic approach to the Rockford Peaches baseball players during World War II, highlighting their athleticism, femininity and camaraderie. It’s a tribute to the women who proved that sports are for everyone, regardless of gender.
8. “The Joy Luck Club” (1993)
Subject: Four Chinese American immigrant families
Based on Amy Tan's 1989 best-selling novel, “The Joy Luck Club” centers around the lives of Chinese immigrant women and their relationships with their first generation Chinese American daughters. This movie features themes of cultural identity and familial love through the perspectives of different generations throughout time.
9. “Nomadland” (2020)
Subject: Fern (based on Jessica Bruder’s book, “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century”)
“Nomadland” is an introspective film that follows a woman who embraces a nomadic lifestyle in the American West after losing everything in the Great Recession. The director, Chloé Zhao, became the second woman and first woman of color to win Best Director at the 2021 Academy Awards.
10. “Frida” (2002)
Subject: Frida Kahlo
Explore the life of one of the most iconic figures in the art world in this movie representing Mexican culture and womanhood. Salma Hayek's portrayal of Frida Kahlo is as vibrant and colorful as Kahlo’s paintings, revealing the passion and suffering that fueled her art.