Programs Feature Female Trailblazers Including Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Loretta Lynn, Twyla Tharp and More
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.
PBS SoCal and KCET, Southern California’s flagship PBS organizations for new PBS program premieres as well as award-winning, original content, announced today a programming slate in honor of Women’s History Month in March. Both stations will showcase a curated lineup of enlightening programs to help viewers increase awareness and understanding of women’s history in America.
The month-long lineup of award-winning content on PBS SoCal features national PBS programs including AMERICAN MASTERS “Twyla Moves,” INDEPENDENT LENS “Coded Bias,” “Dolly Parton and Friends: 50 Years at The Opry,” “Tina Turner: One Last Time” and “Loretta Lynn: My Story in My Words.” Content that comprises this special curated collection also includes specials like “Margaret: The Rebel Princess,” Betty White: First Lady of Television,” AMERICAN MASTERS “Flannery,” “Carol Burnett: A Celebration” and more. Additional titles to be broadcast on KCET include INDEPENDENT LENS “Served Like a Girl,” “Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart,” “Daring Women Doctors: Physicians in the 19th Century” and “Ahead of Time: The Extraordinary Journey of Ruth Gruber.”
Select content slated to air during the next month is listed as follows (*schedule subject to change):
“Dolly Parton and Friends: 50 Years at The Opry”– Mon., March 1 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., March 3 at 6:30 p.m. on KCET
A celebration of the country music legend’s 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, this special captures Dolly Parton delivering some of her biggest hits on one of the most iconic stages in the world.
“Loretta Lynn: My Story in My Words”– Mon., March 1 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal
2021 marks 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.
“Tina Turner: One Last Time”– Tues., March 2 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., March 3 at 8:30 p.m. on KCET
In 2000, Tina Turner’s final UK concert was filmed at London’s Wembley Stadium with a state-of-the-art stage set, 18 cameras and one of the world’s top directors.
INDEPENDENT LENS “Served Like a Girl”– Sat., March 13 at 11 p.m. on KCET
A powerful and poignant look at a group of diverse female veterans as they transition from active duty to civilian life after serving tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Margaret: The Rebel Princess”– Mon., March 15 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal
This intimate two-part series profiles Princess Margaret, whose life and loves reflected the social and sexual revolution that transformed the western world during the 20th century.
“Betty White: First Lady of Television”– Fri., March 19 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal
The definitive look at Betty White’s life and career. Thanks to exclusive access, you’ll see Betty behind the scenes at work, entertaining at home, and interacting with her close friends—one of whom is a 900-pound grizzly bear.
INDEPENDENT LENS “Coded Bias”– Mon., March 22 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., March 27 at 11 p.m. on KCET
Follows M.I.T. Media Lab computer scientist Joy Buolamwini, along with data scientists, mathematicians and watchdog groups from all over the world, as they fight to expose the discrimination within facial recognition algorithms now prevalent across all spheres of daily life.
AMERICAN MASTERS “Flannery” Tues., March 23 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Explore the life of Flannery O’Connor whose provocative fiction was unlike anything published before. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, newly discovered journals and interviews with Mary Karr, Tommy Lee Jones, Hilton Als and more.
AMERICAN MASTERS “Twyla Moves”– Fri., March 26 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., March 31 at 10 p.m. on KCET
Explore legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp’s career and famously rigorous creative process, with original interviews, first-hand glimpses of her at work and rare archival footage of select performances from her more than 160 choreographed works.
“Carol Burnett: A Celebration”– Fri., March 26 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal
A 50th anniversary tribute to the career of a comic genius – filled with pure nostalgia, great clips and memories from iconic stars. The program includes exclusive interviews with: Carl Reiner, Betty White, Cloris Leachman, Tina Fey, Phyllis Diller, Joan Collins… and of course, Carol Burnett.
“Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart”- Sat., March 27 at 6 p.m. on KCET
The true story of idealistic teacher Erin Gruwell as she tries to reach 150 at-risk students who were labeled “unteachable” in a racially-divided Long Beach, California in 1994.
“Daring Women Doctors: Physicians in the 19th Century”- Sat., March 27 at 7 p.m. on KCET
Hidden in American history, all women’s medical schools began to appear in the mid-19th century long before women had the right to vote or own property.
“Ahead of Time: The Extraordinary Journey of Ruth Gruber”- Sun., March 28 at 4 p.m. on KCET
Born in 1911 to Russian Jewish immigrants, Gruber reported from the Soviet Arctic, escorted Holocaust refugees on a secret war-time mission and changed the world with dispatches from the Palestine-bound ship Exodus in 1947.
These shows and more are available to stream on the free PBS Video App.
For a full schedule of Women’s History Month programming, please visit pbssocal.org and kcet.org.
Join the conversation on social media by tagging #WomensHistoryMonth
About PBS SOCAL and KCET
PBS SoCal and KCET are both part of the donor-supported community institution, the Public Media Group of Southern California, which was formed by the merger of PBS SoCal and KCETLink Media Group. PBS SoCal is the flagship PBS station for diverse people across California and delivers content and experiences that inspire, inform and educate. PBS SoCal offers the full slate of beloved PBS programs including MASTERPIECE, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, and a broad library of documentary films including works from Ken Burns; as well as educational content including PBS KIDS programs including DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD and CURIOUS GEORGE. KCET is on-air, online and in the community, and plays a vital role in the cultural enrichment of Southern California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions and its website, kcet.org. For additional information about both KCET and PBS SoCal productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org and pbssocal.org KCET Originals and PBS programming are available to stream on the FREE PBS App on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Chromecast. KCET is also available to watch live on YouTube TV, Amazon and Roku platforms. For more information please visit kcet.org/apps.