For more than 40 years, U.S. Presidents and Congress have proclaimed March as Women’s History Month, and we are excited for more opportunities to recognize and remember women who have inspired so many of us.
KAMU wants to be the flagship station for these kinds of empowering programs. We’re doing that this month through a variety of programs that shine a light on the perseverance of women as they worked to be treated equally and recognized in society.
Great Performances at The Met: The Hours
Friday, March 17 at 8 p.m.
Five-time Grammy winner and 18-time Grammy nominee Renée Fleming makes her return to the Met in a new opera, “The Hours.” Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts has developed his own adaptation of Michael Cunningham’s novel, “The Hours,” inspired by Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway.” The opera follows three women from different eras who each struggle with inner demons and their roles in society.
Not only is Renée Fleming a remarkable singer and actress, she is a trailblazer for women. Fleming became the first woman in the 125-year history of the Met to solo headline an opening-night gala. Celebrate not only the premiere of “The Hours,” but the foundation Fleming has built.
Learn more about Great Performances at The Met: The Hours
Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind
Saturday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Ruth Stone was on the path to becoming a successful poet when her husband suddenly died by suicide. With three daughters to support, she knew she had to focus on providing for her family rather than chasing her dreams. She traveled the country teaching, but always made sure to return home to her Vermont farmhouse. Through her experience, she was able to build stories and become one of the greatest American poets.
Learn more about Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind
Austin City Limits: The Best of Nanci Griffith
Saturday, March 18 at 10 p.m.
Enjoy a music-filled night honoring Nanci Griffith with an hour-long special celebrating her legacy on “Austin City Limits.” Griffith performed on the ACL stage eight times between 1984 and 2001. Even after her passing in 2021, she stands as one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters in history. Not only is she a legendary artist, she is an icon to Texans. Born in Seguin, but raised in Austin, she made sure she was going to shine just as big as Texas. She played her first ACL episode with former KAMU student worker and Texas A&M alum Lyle Lovett, who sang backup. Join KAMU in celebrating this Texas country-folk artist and the legacy she left for us.
Learn more about Austin City Limits: Best of Nanci Griffith
Independent Lens: Storming Caesar’s Palace
Monday, March 20 at 9 p.m.
Join KAMU in watching a revolutionary film about a group of low-income mothers who are more than meets the eye. Not only are they remarkable mothers, they became visionary political strategists to fight against poverty. Once Ruby Duncan joins a welfare rights group to fight for guaranteed income, ideas are put into action. Duncan, Mary Wesley and Alversa Beals set fuel to the fire and led many others to fight toward their mission. This group of activists took on the Nevada mob and organized a protest that shut down Caesar’s Palace.
Learn more about Independent Lens: Storming Caesar’s Palace
Independent Lens: Hidden Letters
Monday, March 27 at 9 p.m.
For centuries in China, the once-secret written language of Nüshu was carefully crafted on folded fans and handkerchiefs as hidden letters. These secret letters were used for women to share stories, spread their culture and express their solidarity. Now, two activists are confronting the government to explain how women find comfort in Nüshu. Through this, women are able to rediscover and connect traditional Chinese womanhood to contemporary feminism.
Learn more about Independent Lens: Hidden Letters
Secrets of the Dead: Lady Sapiens
Wednesday, March 29 at 9 p.m.
Discover the history of prehistoric women and piece together untold stories from new scientific investigations. Through advanced science, we are able to uncover so much of the unknown and separate fact from fiction. For over 45,000 years, we have been limited in studying prehistoric women. Now, new revelations defy previous understanding of the power dynamics of ancient society.
Learn more about Secrets of the Dead: Lady Sapiens
Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize of Popular Song
Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m.
Joni Mitchell has redefined the role of female musicians. She created a blueprint on how to have a hand in all areas of music: from writing lyrics to producing the sound for a full album. This month, Mitchell will be honored with a tribute concert in Washington, D.C., as a recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. On March 31, the concert premieres on KAMU at 8 p.m. Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, said “Joni blazed a new trail for singer-songwriters, and her influence continues to echo through the music of some of today’s most popular artists. We look forward to sharing this celebration of Joni’s artistry and art with our audiences.” Celebrate the impact her songs have made in American culture with KAMU — you won’t want to miss this!
Learn more about Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize of Popular Song
