Every year on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. This holiday highlights gender inequities. It also draws attention to the importance of a world free of bias, discrimination and stereotypes. Additionally, March is Women’s History Month. Both provide opportunities for educators to highlight and celebrate women in history in their classrooms. We provide free resources to achieve this goal through the use of film. We also encourage educators to include the important contributions of women in history throughout the year! 

Collage of photos of atherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Jane Goodall, and Malala Yousafzai, plus the Journeys in Film logo. Text in the middle says: "International Women's Day. Free teaching resources & discussion guides for films about NASA's "Hidden Figures" — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson; plus Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai, and more! From JourneysInFilm.org."

 

Free Resources Celebrating Women in History

Hidden Figures tells the story of  Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. These women, known as “human computers,” worked for NASA in in the 1960s. Our FREE curriculum guide for this film features 8 lessons focusing on topics including the Cold War, segregation, the math of space travel and more. Additionally, we offer a free discussion guide for this film. 

 

He Named Me Malala is a dynamic documentary about the true life story of Malala Yousafzai. She was only 11 years old when she began detailing her experiences in Pakistan for the BBC. Terrorists shot and almost killed Malala when she was still a teen. She survived and continues to advocate for gender equity around the world. Teach her inspirational story with our free discussion guide and extensive curriculum guide.

JANE is a documentary film from National Geographic showcasing the important work of Jane Goodall. She was a pioneer in the field of primatology. We’ve created a free discussion guide for this film.  

On the left side there is detail from the film poster for Hidden Figures, showing three Black women in 1960s business suits striding confidently forward in front of a rocket blasting off. On the right side, text says: "teach with Hidden Figures. Featured Lesson: "The Math of Space Travel: Orbits and Conic Sections".

More Timely Women’s History Resources

We recommend that you consider and explore more additional resources and films.

Big Sonia is a documentary about Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski.

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down documents how US politician Gabriel Giffords survived an assassination attempt and went on to become one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence.

Queen of Katwe is a beautiful narrative film starring Lupita Nyong’o and based on the true life story of young chess champion Phiona Mutesi.

Rebel Hearts tells the true story of a group of rebel nuns who challenged the authority of the Catholic Church in the 1960s and who fight for human rights and social justice to this day.

Wadjda tells an uplifting story of a ten year-old girl committed to getting her own bicycle. The film’s director is Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker.

Whale Rider connects with students as it shares  the story of a Maori girl struggling to find her place in her community.

Over a deep rose background vertical white text on the left side says "Teach with Film For Women's History Month." On the right there is a collage of film posters for Whale Rider, Hidden Figures, Rebel Hearts, Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down, He Named Me Malala, Queen of Katwe, Big Sonia, Jane, and Wadjda.

Written by Jennifer Fischer