PBS Western Reserve Celebrates Women’s History Month with Special Programming
PBS Western Reserve proudly celebrates Women’s History Month with select programming that highlights women, their stories and achievements.
Women's History Month 2026
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Learn About the Women of the American Revolution
The American Revolution: Screening, Panel & Digital Exhibition
Thursday, March 19, 2026 • 6 PM - 8:30 PM
The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County
305 Wick Avenue, Youngstown
PBS Western Reserve, in collaboration with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, is offering a free event which includes a digital exhibition featuring materials from the American Revolution era, an abbreviated screening of the new Ken Burns film, and a panel discussion led by experts that will highlight women in the American Revolution in recognition of Women's History Month. Light refreshments will be provided. While this event is free and open to all, registration is required. This event is recommended for those 16 years of age and older.
Airing on PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1) and Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2)
Gabriel’s Daughter: The Life and Legacy of Clara Brow
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Sunday, March 1, at noon
Thursday, March 5, at 7 PM
African American pioneer, Clara Brown’s true-life story is told through the lens of an American opera, “Gabriel’s Daughter.” Clara became a successful entrepreneur, helped populate the African American Colorado community while searching for her only remaining daughter who was sold away from her at auction. Through Opera highlighted performances we discover Clara’s struggles and triumphs.
Stream GABRIEL’S DAUGHTER: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CLARA BROWN.
Eudora
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Sunday, March 22, at 3 PM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Sunday, March 1, at 2 PM
Renowned writer Eudora Welty is explored through intimate photographs and in charming interviews of family and friends set against the backdrop of Jackson, Mississippi. A film by Anthony Thaxton, EUDORA is a revealing portrait of adventure, daring, humor and love as we meet a writer we only thought we knew.
Lover, Beloved
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, March 2, at 8 PM
Saturday, March 14, at 7 PM
Suzanne Vega experimentally reinterprets two talks given by novelist Carson McCullers at the 92nd St. Y in NYC. The program offers viewers insight into McCullers’ life lessons, viewed through the many facets of love. Suzanne’s interpretation of the conversations emphasizes that agape love, or a selfless love, matters in this life.
Independent Lens, Breaking the News
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, March 2, at 9:30 PM
Saturday, March 7, at noon
Who decides which stories get told? A scrappy group of women and LGBTQ+ journalists buck the white male-dominated status quo, banding together to launch The 19th*, a digital news startup aiming to combat misinformation. A story of an America in flux, and the voices often left out of the narrative, the documentary BREAKING THE NEWSshows change doesn’t come easy.
American Masters, The Disappearance of Miss Scott
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Friday, March 6, at 9 PM
Learn about jazz virtuoso and screen superstar Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own television show. An early civil rights pioneer, she faced down the Red Scare at the risk of losing her career and was a champion for equality. The film features interviews with Mickey Guyton, Tracie Thoms, Amanda Seales and Sheryl Lee Ralph as the voice of Hazel Scott.
Women’s Work: The Untold Story of America’s Female Farmers
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturday, March 7, at 3 PM
Traditionally depicted through the eyes of men, the history of agriculture in the United States is incomplete. It overlooks its heroines – the women who have farmed, nurtured the land, sacrificed and made immeasurable impacts on farming and food in America. Through the voices of their daughters and granddaughters, WOMEN’S WORK: THE UNTOLD STORY OF AMERICA’S FEMALE FARMERS journeys across the country to meet these foremothers. This uniquely matrilineal retelling of America's history celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of women in agriculture. By highlighting their resilience and creativity, WOMEN’S WORK pays tribute to the vital role women have played, and continue to play, in shaping the future of agriculture.
Stream WOMEN’S WORK: THE UNTOLD STORY OF AMERICA’S FEMALE FARMERS.
American Experience, The Vote
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturdays, March 7-28, at 4 PM
Meet the unsung heroes of the movement and relive the fiery, dramatic and unrelenting campaign that led to passage of the 19th Amendment, granting American women the vote and ushering in the largest expansion of voting rights in U.S. history.
American Masters, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturday, March 7, at 7 PM
Discover the life of singer-songwriter Janis Ian and how she rose as a folk icon and gay rights advocate. She broke ground with “Society’s Child” (1966), a bold take on interracial love, and “At Seventeen” (1975), a searing anthem about bullying.
American Masters, Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, March 9, at 7 PM
Explore the story of Dominican-American poet and novelist Julia Alvarez, who burst onto the literary scene and blazed a trail for a generation of Latino authors.
Independent Lens, Sister Úna Lived a Good Death
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, March 9, at 10 PM
Saturday, March 14, at noon
Following a cancer diagnosis, Sister Úna — a mischievous, rule-breaking Catholic nun dedicated to social justice — chooses to live as she’s dying. In this touching end-of-life documentary, the self-proclaimed “leader of the misfits” plans her funeral in her last nine months to live.
Women of World War II: The Untold Stories
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Thursday, March 12, at midnight
Sunday, March 15, at 9 AM
American women were the secret weapon that won World War II, and in the process, changed the world. In this new documentary, hear directly from the women who built the planes and flew them, fought on the warfront and the home front, cracked codes and broke barriers.
American Masters, Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Friday, March 13, at 9 PM
Take an intimate look into the life of Liza Minnelli, best known for her Oscar-winning role in Cabaret. Following in the footsteps of her mother Judy Garland, Minnelli used her boundless raw talent to build her own legacy in showbiz.
Of the People: The Women of the Civil Rights Movement
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Saturday, March 14, at 1 AM
Sunday, March 15, at 10:30 AM
Discover the powerful stories of Fannie Lou Hamer, Angela Davis, Dolores Huerta and Yuri Kochiyama — four extraordinary women whose courage, intellect and activism helped shape the course of the civil and human rights movements in America.
Stream OF THE PEOPLE: THE WOMEN OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
American Masters, Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturday, March 14, at 8:30 PM
Discover Hannah Arendt, one of the most fearless political thinkers of the 20th century, who transformed her time as a political prisoner and refugee during World War II into daring insights about totalitarianism which continue to resonate today.
Harriet Tubman: From the Railroad to a Spy
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturday, March 14, at 11 PM
This documentary that tells Harriet Tubman’s complete story. Journey through the events and details of her incredible life story that are seldom told, from the underground railroad to her work as a Union Army scout and spy in military campaigns.
Julie Andrews Forever
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Monday, March 16, at 5 PM
Friday, March 20, at 9 PM
Saturday, March 21, at 2 AM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Wednesday, March 18, at 7 PM
Explore the career of the award-winning performing legend, who rose from a child entertainer in musical revues to an Oscar-winning actress for her beloved performance in Mary Poppins. With her crystalline voice and captivating presence, Andrews has delighted audiences in numerous roles on stage and screen The documentary features clips from The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Camelot, and more.
Antiques Roadshow, Women’s Work
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Monday, March 16, at 8 PM
Tuesday, March 17, at 1 AM
Friday, March 20, at 2 PM
Celebrate trailblazing women in a special hour spotlighting outstanding contributions from female athletes, artists, activists and more who left an indelible mark on the world around us through their thought-provoking objects and accomplishments.
American Experience, The Sun Queen
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, March 16, at 8 PM
For nearly 50 years, chemical engineer and inventor Maria Telkes applied her prodigious intellect to harnessing the power of the sun. She designed and built the world's first successfully solar-heated modern residence and identified a promising new chemical that, for the first time, could store solar heat like a battery. And yet, along the way, she was undercut and thwarted by her boss and colleagues — all men — at MIT. Despite these obstacles, Telkes persevered and, upon her death in 1995, held more than 20 patents. She is now recognized as a visionary pioneer in the field of sustainable energy. An unexpected and largely forgotten heroine, Telkes was remarkable in her vision and tenacity — a scientist and a woman in every way ahead of her time. Her research and innovations from the 1930s through the '70s continue to shape how we power our lives today.
Discovering Maggie Smith
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Monday, March 16, at 10 PM
Tuesday, March 17, at 3 AM
Friday, March 20, at 5 PM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Sunday, March 22, at 1 PM
Explore the remarkable on-screen career of Dame Maggie Smith, one of Britain's most prolific actresses. Smith was a prominent figure in British culture for six decades. Her extraordinary film career took off with her role in "Nowhere to Go." Two Academy Awards later, including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, Smith had reached the pinnacle of success.
Finding Your Roots, Born to Sing
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Tuesday, March 17, at 8 PM
Wednesday, March 18, at 1 AM
Sunday, March 22, at 4 PM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Friday, March 20, at 8 PM
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the remarkable roots of singers Alanis Morissette and Ciara, using DNA analysis and genealogical detective work to travel back centuries, revealing his guest's hidden connections to history and to music.
American Masters, Bella! This Woman’s Place Is In the House
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Tuesday, March 17, at 9 PM
Wednesday, March 18, at 2 AM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, March 23, at 8 PM
Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug. See how her commitment to women’s rights and progressive causes upended the status quo in Washington.
Aldwyth: Fully Assembled
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Tuesday, March 17, at 9 PM
Saturday, March 21, at 3 PM
ALDWYTH: FULLY ASSEMBLED follows the remarkable creative journey of South Carolina artist Aldwyth, documenting her challenges and obstacles and telling the story of her inspiring "second act." She is a painter, a sculptor, a box constructionist, and an intricate collagist. Like her artwork, the trajectory of Aldwyth's artistic life has been anything but simple.
Grace Kelly: The Missing Millions
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Wednesday, March 18, at 5 PM
Saturday, March 21, at 8 PM
Sunday, March 22, at midnight
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Wednesday, March 18, at 8 PM
Sunday, March 22, at 2 PM
Financial guru Gemma Godfrey hunts for Grace Kelly’s missing fortune. Appearing to have assets of just $10,000 and a ramshackle cottage in Ireland at the time of her death, the program reveals how Kelly was worth millions to Monaco yet earned little for herself. Even after her death, Kelly’s name and image continue to generate millions ... but who benefits?
Kate: A Queen for the Future
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Friday, March 20, at 10 PM
Saturday, March 21, at 3 AM
Sunday, March 22, at 2 PM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Thursday, March 26, at 7 PM
Kate, Princess of Wales and future Queen of England, has a nation’s hopes resting on her shoulders. Beginning her life as a commoner and marrying into royalty is a journey straight from a fairytale. But what will it mean when she finally becomes Queen Consort? And how will it affect the way she carries out her royal duties? Mixing stunning archival footage with fascinating insights and interviews, KATE: A QUEEN FOR THE FUTURE is a heart-warming celebration of a figure who embodies the timeless grace of royalty while forging a path of her own.
American Masters, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturday, March 21, at 7 PM
Take an intimate look at the life and career of actress Marlee Matlin as she shares her story in American Sign Language. At 21 years old, Matlin became the first Deaf actress to win an Academy Award for her role in Children of A Lesser God. With credits that include The West Wing and the Oscar-winning film CODA, Matlin continues to champion for more inclusivity and accessibility in entertainment.
Voices for Freedom: The Hyers Sisters’ Legacy
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Sunday, March 22, at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, March 31, at 10:30 PM
The documentary film chronicles the lives of Sacramento’s Hyers Sisters — African-American opera prodigies who toured the nation to acclaim from the 1871 to 1894 and championed human rights in works that changed American Music Theater forever. The Hyers were celebrated in touring opera nationwide from 1871-73, but in 1876 — perilous times, when touring blackface minstrels denigrated African Americans — they stood up and became “voices” for the dignity of their people. Through beloved music-dramatic works (now called the first American musicals) they depicted black life with dignity to their mainstream audiences for the first time, changing many minds and hearts. The film gives insights into times of lynching, Chinese and black persecution and Jim Crow while it presents colorful excerpts from opera, music theater, period song and spirituals sung by internationally acclaimed artists. It is hosted by opera superstar Denyce Graves and is enriched with montages, enactments, a hip-hop poet, historical narration and informed commentary that shed light on our lives today.
Finding Your Roots, Larger Than Life
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Tuesday, March 24, at 8 PM
Wednesday, March 25, at 1 AM
Sunday, March 29, at 4 PM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Friday, March 27, at 8 PM
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Lea Salonga and Amanda Seyfried to ancestors who are every bit as dramatic as the characters they’ve played on stage and screen. Moving from a naval base in the Philippines to a small town bakery in Pennsylvania to steamships on the Atlantic Ocean, Lea and Amanda hear stories of relatives who survived wars, murders, and heart-wrenching ordeals.
Veterans of America — Our Heroes in Uniform, They Served Too
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Friday, March 27, at 8:30 PM
Saturday, March 28, at 1:30 AM
The story of female veterans is as varied as the story of females in all walks of life. This 30-minute local production highlights many of the challenges and successes of area women in uniform. Examples include a young mother who now serves in the Army Reserve, a young couple who are both veterans, a female general and a nurse who is in the reserves. The show also speaks about Sharon Lane, a Canton resident who was the first female casualty of the Vietnam War. In addition, it touches on female veterans’ high rate of homelessness and how Summit County Executive Ilean Shapiro has gotten involved in helping homeless female veterans.
Martha Graham Dance Company: We Are Our Time
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Fridays, March 27 and April 3, at 9 PM
Saturdays, March 28 and April 4, at 2 AM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturdays, March 28 and April 4, at 7 PM
As the Graham Company nears its landmark 100th anniversary,
WE ARE OUR TIME offers a rare behind-the-scenes portrait of the company, exploring Graham’s legacy through the dancers who
embody her work today.
Christa
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Sunday, March 29, at 11 AM
Christa McAuliffe, America's first teacher in space, is the subject of a moving documentary on the creation of her statue, unveiled in September 2024 at the New Hampshire State House and created by Idaho sculptor Benjamin Victor. Through interviews with former students, educators, and state leaders, the film celebrates her life and belief that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.
American Masters, Marcella
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Monday, March 30, at 8 PM
Discover how celebrated writer Marcella Hazan shaped Italian cuisine in America. After immigrating to New York in the 1950s, she began making authentic dishes from her Italian roots and inspired millions of Americans with her cookbooks.
Finding Your Roots, The Butterfly Effect
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Tuesday, March 31, at 8 PM
Wednesday, April 1, at 1 AM
Sunday, April 5, at 4 PM
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey to ancestors who made bold decisions that forever reshaped their family trees. Moving from shtetls in Eastern Europe to a fruit stand in NY City to the wilds of New Zealand, Gates introduces his guests to relatives who took great risks, overcame enormous hardships — and unwittingly transformed the lives of their descendants.
Discover Local Women’s History
This March, don’t forget to celebrate Women’s History Month by looking to your own backyard. From the battle for the right to vote to the essential work of local Rosie the Riveters in Akron, Ohio, women have had a profound effect on the tragectory of our region.
Discover regional women’s history programs such as THE BATTLE FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE, AKRON WOMEN: ANOTHER LOOK AT HISTORY and THE WOMEN WHO HELPED WIN A WAR.
