The Story of Women and Power

Watch The Story of Women and Power

  • 2015
  • 1 Season

The Story of Women and Power is a six-part documentary series produced by BBC that first aired in November 2018. The show is hosted by historian and author Dr. Amanda Foreman and explores the history of women's power and influence over the past 10,000 years, from ancient societies to modern times.

The series covers a wide range of topics, including the role of women in early civilizations, the influence of queens throughout history, the women's suffrage movement, and the ongoing fight for gender equality in politics and the workplace. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of women's power and features interviews with experts and scholars in the field.

In the first episode, Dr. Foreman delves into the role of women in ancient societies, highlighting examples of powerful female leaders such as Hatshepsut of Ancient Egypt and Wu Zetian of China's Tang dynasty. She also looks at the shifting attitudes towards women in ancient Greece and Rome, where women's social status was often closely tied to their relationship to men.

Subsequent episodes explore the influence of queens in European history, from Elizabeth I of England to Catherine the Great of Russia, and dig into the complex social and political conditions that allowed these women to rise to power in a traditionally male-dominated world.

The series also examines the history of the women's suffrage movement, highlighting key figures such as suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and the many grassroots campaigns that helped to bring about women's right to vote.

Throughout the series, Dr. Foreman contextualizes the history of women's power and influence within larger social, economic, and political movements, demonstrating how changes in technology, warfare, and culture have shaped and been shaped by women's evolving roles in society.

The final episode of the series brings this history up to the present day, examining the ongoing challenges facing women in politics, the workplace, and in their personal lives. Dr. Foreman interviews modern women leaders such as former UK Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as activists and advocates working to promote gender equality around the world.

Overall, The Story of Women and Power is a fascinating and engaging exploration of the history of women's power and influence throughout history. Through interviews with experts and scholars, the series provides a detailed and nuanced look at the ways in which women's roles and social status have evolved over time, and the challenges that they continue to face in their ongoing struggle for equality.

The Story of Women and Power is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (3 episodes). The series first aired on February 25, 2015.

The Story of Women and Power
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Seasons
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
February 25, 2015
Frustrated Edwardian suffragettes resort to violence. Backroom deals grant the vote to some women, but not all. A woman launches the Women's National Anti-Suffrage League. The first female MP takes her place in the House of Commons, and Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female prime minister. Equal rights for women are the law, but equal power and status remain elusive.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
February 25, 2015
When Queen Victoria takes the throne, not one of her female subjects can vote. She declares women's rights a "mad, wicked folly." A prime minister's spurned mistress wins child-custody rights for mothers, and a Cambridge undergraduate proves that girls can be better than boys at math. Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters start the suffragette movement.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
February 25, 2015
In 1649, when a group of women march on Parliament to petition the government, they are told to stay home and wash dishes. Mary Wollstonecraft argues for equality among the sexes, and Hannah More gets women out of the house to teach Sunday school. Working-class Manchester women are viciously attacked during a massive peaceful demonstration.
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Where to Watch The Story of Women and Power
The Story of Women and Power is available for streaming on the BBC Two website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Story of Women and Power on demand at Amazon Prime.
  • Premiere Date
    February 25, 2015