New Special from Bonnie Boswell Explores Mothers' Health Disparities Premiering This March During Women's History Month on PBS SoCal and KCET
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Chelsea Grosbeck
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kcet.org/WomensHistoryMonth
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Select programming will also be available to stream on PBS.org and the free PBS App. Members of PBS SoCal | KCET get extended access through PBS Passport.
Los Angeles, Calif. – Feb. 21, 2023 – PBS SoCal and KCET, Southern California’s flagship PBS organizations for new PBS program premieres, announced today a robust programming slate in honor of Women’s History Month in March. Both stations will showcase a lineup of 24 enlightening programs to increase awareness of women’s history in America as well as confront the most pressing issues facing women today. KCET presents a new special from award-winning producer/reporter and host of BONNIE BOSWELL REPORTS, Bonnie Boswell, that investigates the country’s rapidly growing maternal mortality epidemic.
Producer, reporter and host, Bonnie Boswell, serves as a local correspondent reporting Southern California’s most significant stories. In BONNIE BOSWELL PRESENTS: “Saving Moms” Boswell examines why groups of women disproportionately experience higher mortality rates related to pregnancy and childbirth in the country. Boswell addresses disparities and contributing factors that result in poor health outcomes for mothers and babies as well as ways local public health professionals are combatting the national crisis. The special premieres on Sun., March 26 at 8 p.m. on KCET.
Additional Women’s History Month content includes a documentary of the trailblazing women with the premiere of AWAKENING IN TAOS: THE MABEL DODGE LUHAN STORY on Fri., March 17 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal. The film tells the story of Mabel Dodge who was an activist championing women and Native American rights in the early 1900s where she inspired major modern artists to appreciate New Mexico’s culture and beauty, like Georgia O'Keeffe. During the month, KCET will also premiere the culture series ARTBOUND that feature artists such as Helen Jean Taylor, Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle and Tanya Aguiñiga on Sun., March 19 at 5 p.m. on KCET and Sun., March 26 at 8 p.m. on KCET.
Headlining PBS SoCal’s month-long lineup in March includes three all-new national programs from PBS with GREAT PERFORMANCES AT THE MET: “The Hours” premiering on Fri., March 17 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal. The new program stars Tony® winner Kelli O'Hara, Joyce DiDonato and Grammy® award-winning soprano Renee Fleming in her highly anticipated return to the famous stage. Viewers can also watch a new series from AMERICAN MASTERS “In the Making” debuting on Fri., March 24 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal which follows up-and-coming, barrier-breaking BIPOC artists. In addition, PBS SoCal will premiere JONI MITCHELL: THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GERSHWIN PRIZE FOR POPULAR SONG – the national ceremony honoring music legend Joni Mitchell with the prestigious Gershwin Prize on Fri., March 31 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal. The special presentation filmed at the nation’s Capitol brings together other musical luminaries with performances by James Taylor, Brandi Carlisle, Annie Lennox, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper and more. Additional programs announced to debut during the March slate underscore more musical pioneers like Roberta Flack’s groundbreaking influence as well as the legacies of Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton.
Additional programming for Women’s History Month on PBS SoCal includes two new INDEPENDENT LENS documentaries profiling worldwide gender-breaking historical events that span workplace equality in Boston to linguistic protests against China’s caste system to a grassroots movement led by a single mother in “9 to 5: The Story of a Movement,” “Hidden Letters” and “Storming Caesars Palace” respectively. “Storming Caesars Palace” tells the little-known story of Ruby Duncan who after losing her job as a hotel worker in Las Vegas, joined a welfare rights group of mothers who organized a massive protest that shut down Caesars Palace in a fight for guaranteed income. The inspiring movement challenged Presidents, the Vegas Mob and everyday Americans to rethink their notions of the “Welfare Queen.” The film premieres on Mon., March 20 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal.
Select content slated to air during Women’s History Month is listed as follows (*schedule subject to change):
OLYMPIA – Fri., March 3 at 10 p.m. on KCET – All New!
An intimate look into the life and career of beloved Oscar-winning® actress Olympia Dukakis and her courageous journey to find her own voice.
ROUTE 66 WOMEN: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE MOTHER ROAD: “The Origin of Women on Route 66” – Sat., March 4 at 11 p.m. on KCET
For women, Route 66 was an opportunity for entrepreneurship, creativity, political activism and independence. From Pueblo women opening up roadside stands in New Mexico to an African American hotelier in Springfield, MO listed in the Green Book, women overcame segregation and gender discrimination to succeed on America’s most iconic highway.
RUTH STONE’S VAST LIBRARY OF THE FEMALE MIND – Fri., March 10 at 10 p.m. on KCET – All New!
An award-winning film about the poetry and life of Ruth Stone, who forged her art out of loss and inspired countless others to create from her hilltop home in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Using an intimate approach, the film combines archival footage of Ruth at different times of her life, capturing her reciting poetry and talking about her writing process.
ROUTE 66 WOMEN: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE MOTHER ROAD: “World War II & The Post War Period” – Sat., March 11 at 11 p.m. on KCET
World War II allowed women to move out of low paying jobs and perform patriotic duties that were highly skilled and dangerous. After the war, these women would create vibrant businesses on their own. From the CEO of an iconic Route 66 restaurant in Gallup, NM to Navajo women at the Ordinance Depot in Flagstaff, AZ these women rejected domesticity in favor of a career.
AWAKENING IN TAOS: THE MABEL DODGE LUHAN STORY – Fri., March 17 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., March 29 at 10 p.m. on KCET – All New!
Mabel Dodge was an independently wealthy writer, early feminist, social activist and champion for women and native America rights. In 1917 she moved from Greenwich Village to Taos, New Mexico where she met and eventually married Tony Lujan, a full-blooded Tiwa Indian from Taos Pueblo. She was responsible for bringing major modern artists to New Mexico including Georgia O'Keeffe, Ansel Adams and D.H. Lawrence.
GREAT PERFORMANCES AT THE MET: “The Hours” – Fri., March 17 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., March 22 at 8 p.m. on KCET – All New!
Grammy® award-winning soprano Renee Fleming returns to the Met in this new production inspired by Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway." Hosted by Christine Baranski, the special also stars Tony® winner Kelli O'Hara and Joyce DiDonato, the opera follows three women from different eras.
ORCHARD HOUSE: HOME OF LITTLE WOMEN – Sat., March 18 at 6 p.m. on KCET
This Emmy® award-winning film chronicles the history of Orchard House- the home in Concord, MA where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set Little Women. The house was built in the mid-1600s and this is the 400+ year story of its journey.
ROUTE 66 WOMEN: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE MOTHER ROAD: “The Death and Rebirth of the Mother Road” – Sat., March 18 at 11 p.m. on KCET
In the 1950s, the creation of interstate highways, environmental disasters and unemployment begins to take a toll on Route 66 and the many small towns affected. Throughout it all, women were at the forefront leading revitalization projects that kept the lights on in their communities, boosted the local economy and preserved American history for generations to come.
ARTBOUND: “Artist and Mother” – Sun., March 19 at 5 p.m. on KCET
This episode profiles four California artists who make motherhood a part of their art: Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle, Andrea Chung, Rebecca Campbell and Tanya Aguiñiga. There's a persisting assumption in contemporary art circles that you can't be a good artist and good mother both. But these artists are working to shatter this cliché, juggling demands of career and family and finding inspiring ways to explore the maternal in their art.
INDEPENDENT LENS: “Storming Caesars Palace” – Mon., March 20 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., March 25 at 11 p.m. on KCET – All New!
Meet activist Ruby Duncan who led a grassroots movement of mothers who challenged Presidents, the Vegas mob and everyday Americans to fight for a universal basic income and rethink their notions of the "welfare queen."
ISABEL AND ROY – Mon., March 20 at 11:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal – All New!
Prior to his Pop-art fame in New York, Roy Lichtenstein struggled to find work and raised a family in Cleveland. His wife Isabel helped support him as he developed his signature style. But before he could establish his career she had to give up hers.
INDEPENDENT LENS: “9 to 5: The Story of a Movement” – Tues., March 21 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Go inside the inspiring movement for women's workplace equality in the 1970s. Started by a group of Boston secretaries, the 9 to 5 cause used humor to attract press attention and shame bosses into giving better pay and ending sexual harassment.
LORETTA LYNN: MY STORY IN MY WORDS – Thurs., March 23 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal
2021 marked the 50th anniversary of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” the Loretta Lynn song that became a book, a feature film and an indelible part of popular culture
DOLLY PARTON & FRIENDS: 50 YEARS AT THE OPRY – Thurs., March 23 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Join the country music superstar to celebrate her 50 years at the Grand Ole Opry. Bringing together five decades of hits into one unforgettable evening, Dolly is joined by special guests including Emmylou Harris, Toby Keith and more.
AMERICAN MASTERS “In the Making” – Fri., March 24 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., March 29 at 8 p.m. on KCET – All New!
This documentary shorts series follows eight emerging cultural icons, creators who bring insight and originality to their craft on their journeys to becoming masters of their artistic disciplines.
KASTURBA GANDHI: ACCIDENTAL ACTIVIST – Sat., March 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal – All New!
Narrated by Naveen Andrews, the documentary chronicles how Kasturba Gandhi became one of the first women activists in modern history and how her legacy inspires women today.
ARTBOUND: “Life Centered: The Helen Jean Taylor Story” – Sun., March 26 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Renowned ceramist and educator Helen Jean Taylor has not only crafted timeless artworks inspired by colors found in home gardens, but also helped her students improve their mental health through the art of throwing clay.
BONNIE BOSWELL PRESENTS: “Saving Moms” – Sun., March 26 at 8 p.m. on KCET – All New!
Although the Center for Disease Control states that 84% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, the U.S. holds the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. Bonnie Boswell investigates the current state of the health care delivery system, maternal wellness, and the measures California is taking to offer possible solutions other states can follow to give hope to mothers everywhere.
INDEPENDENT LENS: “Hidden Letters” – Mon., March 27 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal – All New!
The bonds of sisterhood and the parallels of struggles among generations of women in China are drawn together by the once-secret written language of Nushu, the only script designed and used exclusively by women.
KEA’S ARK – Mon., March 27 at 11:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal
In the 1980s, a three-story ark was built in Newark's devastated Central Ward. Self-taught artist and engineer Kea Tawana designed and constructed the massive boat herself using salvaged materials from nearby 19th-century buildings. She worked on the ark for years before city officials took note and demanded its destruction.
FANNIE LOU HAMER’S AMERICA: AN AMERICA REFRAMED SPECIAL – Tues., March 28 at 10:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal
A portrait of the fearless Mississippi sharecropper-turned-human-rights-activist Fannie Lou Hamer whose 1964 Congressional testimony was so powerful that President Johnson called an impromptu press conference to get her off the air.
SECRETS OF THE SURFACE: THE MATHEMATICAL VISION MARYAM MIRZAKHANI – Wed., March 29 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal
The life and mathematical vision of Maryam Mirzakhani who became the first woman, and the first Iranian, to be awarded the Fields Medal -- the most prestigious award in mathematics.
JONI MITCHELL: THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GERSHWIN PRIZE FOR POPULAR SONG – Fri., March 31 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal – All New!
Musical artists, the national library and American leaders honor music legend Joni Mitchell with the prestigious Gershwin Prize at the nation’s capital. The concert special features performances by James Taylor, Brandi Carlisle, Annie Lennox, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper, Marcus Mumford, Graham Nash, Diana Krall, Lucius and Angelique Kidjo.
AMERICAN MASTERS “Roberta Flack” – Fri., March 31 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Follow music icon Roberta Flack from a piano lounge through her rise to stardom. From “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” to “Killing Me Softly,” Flack’s virtuosity was inseparable from her commitment to civil rights. Detailing her story in her own words, the film features exclusive access to Flack’s archives and interviews with Rev. Jesse Jackson, Peabo Bryson and more.
KCET and PBS SoCal’s commitment to sharing diverse and inclusive stories will continue in additional digital content exploring the impacts made by women in Southern California and beyond at kcet.org/WomensHistoryMonth and pbssocal.org/WomensHistoryMonth.
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