Independent Lens Season 10 Episode 3 Lioness

The Emmy Award-winning documentary series Independent Lens returns for Season 10 with a powerful new episode titled Lioness. This moving and inspiring film explores the untold story of female soldiers on the front lines of the Iraq War who fought alongside their male counterparts, facing the same dangers and enduring the same hardships, yet receiving little recognition for their contributions.

Lioness follows the journey of a group of pioneering women who served in the Army's first Female Engagement Team (FET) in Iraq in 2003. These women were trained to engage with Iraqi women and children in ways that male soldiers could not, and they quickly realized that their unique skills and perspectives could be a game changer in the war. Despite being woefully unprepared for the challenges they would face, the women of the Lioness team proved to be invaluable assets in the fight for Iraqi hearts and minds.

Through personal interviews with several of the Lionesses, as well as archival footage and photos from their time in Iraq, this episode of Independent Lens offers an intimate portrait of their experiences on the front lines. Viewers will witness the courage and resilience of these remarkable women as they navigate the perils of war, confront gender bias and sexual harassment within their own ranks, and grapple with the physical and emotional toll of combat.

Lioness also explores the broader cultural and political context of the war, examining how the narrative around women's military service has evolved over time. From the challenges faced by the Women's Army Corps in the 1940s to the groundbreaking reforms of the 1970s and 80s that paved the way for women's combat roles, the film provides a sweeping overview of the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the armed forces.

As the Lionesses recount their experiences in Iraq and reflect on the meaning of their service, viewers will be moved by the depth of their sacrifice and dedication. This is a story of bravery, resilience, and triumph in the face of adversity, and one that deserves to be told with honesty and compassion.