March is Women’s History Month. The University of Utah celebrates Women’s Week from March 14th through March 18th. The celebration is described as, “an annual, weeklong event focused on gendered issues and challenges faced in today’s socioeconomic and political climate, intersectionality, and cultural movements.” This year’s theme is “Shift. Strive. Thrive.” and focuses on “[validating] and [acknowledging] the struggles of the past two years and explore the ways we are shifting, striving, and thriving to become stronger as we emerge to a new future.”

Check out the many events that are planned for the week including a Marriott Library sponsored virtual lecture featuring attorney and author Kate Kelly happening on March 17th.

In association with all of these happenings, Joni Clayton has gathered these recommendations of films that are available to stream for free for all current University of Utah students, staff, and faculty.

Film recommendations:

Amazing Grace: Aretha Franklin

A documentary presenting the live recording of Aretha Franklin’s album AMAZING GRACE at The New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles in January 1972.

As Survivors Say #MeToo, What will it Take to Stop Widespread Sexual Harassment?

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein story, the hashtag #MeToo has inspired millions of women to share stories of harassment in the workplace and culture.

Climate Activist Greta Thunberg on the Power of a Movement

William Brangham sits down with Thunberg to discuss galvanizing young people across the globe to the climate cause.

Crimson Sands

This film paints a picture of some of the inequities facing women in many countries and cultures.

The Farewell

Billi’s family returns to China under the guise of a fake wedding to stealthily say goodbye to their beloved matriarch – the only person that doesn’t know she only has a few weeks to live.

Lady Warriors

In addition to their stories are brief glimpses of Hopi and Navajo life.  This award winning film is about the will to succeed, about the importance of age-old traditions and the struggles of minority girls to grow up in today’s America.

Lemonade

This is a play about the fantasies, inhibitions, and dreams of two lonely matrons who set up competing lemonade stands along a jammed highway.

Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band – An Unsung Hero of Jazz History

She was ahead of her time, a genius. During an era when Jazz was the nation’s popular music, Mary Lou Williams was one of its greatest innovators.  As both a pianist and composer, she was a font of daring and creativity who helped shape the sound of 20^th century America.

My Sweet Canary

An exuberant musical and cinematic journey across Greece, and Turkey in search of Roza Eskenazi, and artist whose music shaped the soundtrack of the region for almost a century.

Picture a Scientist

A feature-length documentary film chronicling the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists.

Women in the Sand

Two elderly women from the Timbisha tribe fight against the US government, USA and against their own tribal council for justice as they try to preserve their ancient culture in the hottest place in the world, Death Valley, CA.