Ep 8. Ashley Judd

In season two, episode eight of "Who Do You Think You Are?", the focus is on actress Ashley Judd as she delves into her family history. Judd's journey begins in Kentucky, where she was born and raised, and where her family has deep roots dating back to the Civil War.

As Judd uncovers more about her family's past, she discovers a surprising connection to a famous historical figure: Abraham Lincoln. Her great-great-grandfather was a close friend and ally of Lincoln, and he played an important role in securing the 16th president's nomination for the Republican Party.

Judd travels to Springfield, Illinois, where she visits the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and meets with Lincoln experts to learn more about her ancestor's relationship with the former president. She also visits the site of Lincoln's famous "House Divided" speech and reflects on the tumultuous political climate of the time, which included the looming threat of civil war.

Judd's journey also takes her to upstate New York, where she learns about her ancestors' involvement in the women's suffrage movement. She meets with local historians and visits the home of suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was a friend and mentor to Judd's great-grandmother. Judd is moved by the stories of these brave women who fought for equality and reflects on the progress that has been made, as well as the work that still needs to be done.

Throughout the episode, Judd grapples with the legacy of her family's complicated past. She visits the gravesites of ancestors who owned slaves and confronts the reality of the role her family played in perpetuating inequality. She also reflects on her own identity as a person with Scottish, Irish and Cherokee heritage, and on the ways in which her understanding of her family's history has shaped her own sense of self.

Overall, "Who Do You Think You Are?" season two, episode eight is a powerful exploration of family, history, and identity. Through her journey of discovery, Ashley Judd learns not only about her own past, but about the broader forces that have shaped American history and culture.