Unladylike2020

Illuminating the stories of extraordinary American heroines from the early years of feminism, American Masters — Unladylike2020 presents 26 digital short films featuring courageous, little-known and diverse female trailblazers from the turn of the 20th century.

Video thumbnail: American Masters The First Black Woman to Run for Vice President of The U.S.

American Masters

The First Black Woman to Run for Vice President of The U.S.

Charlotta Bass was the first Black woman to run for Vice President of the United States.

The First Black Woman to Run for Vice President of The U.S.

Video thumbnail: American Masters Zitkála-Šá: Trailblazing American Indian Composer and Writer

American Masters

Zitkála-Šá: Trailblazing American Indian Composer and Writer

Zitkála-Šá co-composed and wrote the libretto for the first American Indian opera.

Zitkála-Šá: Trailblazing American Indian Composer and Writer

Video thumbnail: American Masters Jeannette Rankin: The First Woman Member of U.S. Congress

American Masters

Jeannette Rankin: The First Woman Member of U.S. Congress

Jeannette Rankin made history as the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress.

Jeannette Rankin: The First Woman Member of U.S. Congress

Video thumbnail: American Masters Jovita Idar: Mexican American Activist and Journalist

American Masters

Jovita Idar: Mexican American Activist and Journalist

Jovita Idar was a Latina journalist who worked for an end to segregation and racism.

Jovita Idar: Mexican American Activist and Journalist

Video thumbnail: American Masters Martha Hughes Cannon: The First Woman State Senator

American Masters

Martha Hughes Cannon: The First Woman State Senator

Martha Hughes Cannon was a historic state senator and public health pioneer.

Martha Hughes Cannon: The First Woman State Senator

Video thumbnail: American Masters She was a Civil Rights Activist and Co-Founder of the NAACP

American Masters

She was a Civil Rights Activist and Co-Founder of the NAACP

Mary Church Terrell was a suffragist, civil rights activist and co-founder of the NAACP.

She was a Civil Rights Activist and Co-Founder of the NAACP

Video thumbnail: American Masters She was a Daredevil Performer & Advocate for the Blind

American Masters

She was a Daredevil Performer & Advocate for the Blind

Sonora Webster Carver (1904-2003) was one of the most famous horse divers in the world.

She was a Daredevil Performer & Advocate for the Blind

Video thumbnail: American Masters She was the First Woman to Swim Across the English Channel

American Masters

She was the First Woman to Swim Across the English Channel

Gertrude Ederle made history in 1926 as the first woman to swim across the English Channel

She was the First Woman to Swim Across the English Channel

Video thumbnail: American Masters Queen Lili‘uokalani - The First and Last Queen of Hawai‘i

American Masters

Queen Lili‘uokalani - The First and Last Queen of Hawai‘i

Queen Lili‘uokalani was the first sovereign queen, and the last monarch of Hawai'i.

Queen Lili‘uokalani - The First and Last Queen of Hawai‘i

Video thumbnail: American Masters Sissieretta Jones was a Trailblazing Black Opera Singer

American Masters

Sissieretta Jones was a Trailblazing Black Opera Singer

Sissieretta Jones was the first Black woman to headline a concert at Carnegie Hall.

Sissieretta Jones was a Trailblazing Black Opera Singer

Video thumbnail: American Masters The First American Indian Doctor

American Masters

The First American Indian Doctor

Susan La Flesche Picotte became the first American Indian woman doctor.

The First American Indian Doctor

Video thumbnail: American Masters Annie Smith Peck: Record-Breaking Mountaineer

American Masters

Annie Smith Peck: Record-Breaking Mountaineer

She was a record-breaking mountaineer, educator and suffragist.

Annie Smith Peck: Record-Breaking Mountaineer

Video thumbnail: American Masters Gladys Bentley: Gender-Bending Performer and Musician

American Masters

Gladys Bentley: Gender-Bending Performer and Musician

Gladys Bentley was a musical sensation and gender identity pioneer.

Gladys Bentley: Gender-Bending Performer and Musician

Video thumbnail: American Masters The First American-Born Chinese Woman Doctor

American Masters

The First American-Born Chinese Woman Doctor

Margaret Chung became the first American-born Chinese woman doctor in 1916.

The First American-Born Chinese Woman Doctor

Video thumbnail: American Masters She was a leader of the American labor movement

American Masters

She was a leader of the American labor movement

Rose Schneiderman was a pioneering labor organizer and suffragist.

She was a leader of the American labor movement

Video thumbnail: American Masters She was the first Chinese American woman to vote in the U.S.

American Masters

She was the first Chinese American woman to vote in the U.S.

Tye Leung Schulze was the first Chinese American woman to vote in a U.S. election.

She was the first Chinese American woman to vote in the U.S.

Video thumbnail: American Masters This Astronomer Discovered Over 300 Stars During Her Career

American Masters

This Astronomer Discovered Over 300 Stars During Her Career

Williamina Fleming went from doing domestic work to becoming a trailblazing astronomer.

This Astronomer Discovered Over 300 Stars During Her Career

Video thumbnail: American Masters She was an American Cinema Pioneer

American Masters

She was an American Cinema Pioneer

Lois Weber was an early film pioneer and one of the first directors to own a film studio.

She was an American Cinema Pioneer

Video thumbnail: American Masters The First Woman to Lead Arctic Expeditions

American Masters

The First Woman to Lead Arctic Expeditions

Louise Arner Boyd was the first American woman to lead arctic expeditions.

The First Woman to Lead Arctic Expeditions

Video thumbnail: American Masters Meta Warrick Fuller: Trailblazing African American Sculptor

American Masters

Meta Warrick Fuller: Trailblazing African American Sculptor

Meta Warrick Fuller celebrated African American cultural identity through her artwork.

Meta Warrick Fuller: Trailblazing African American Sculptor

Video thumbnail: American Masters Anna May Wong: The first Asian American Movie Star

American Masters

Anna May Wong: The first Asian American Movie Star

Anna May Wong spent her acting career resisting racism and typecasting in Hollywood.

Anna May Wong: The first Asian American Movie Star

Video thumbnail: American Masters Ynés Mexía: Mexican-American Botanist and Adventurer

American Masters

Ynés Mexía: Mexican-American Botanist and Adventurer

Ynés Mexía became one of the most accomplished plant collectors of her time.

Ynés Mexía: Mexican-American Botanist and Adventurer

Video thumbnail: American Masters Lillian Gilbreth: Pioneering Inventor

American Masters

Lillian Gilbreth: Pioneering Inventor

Lillian Gilbreth was the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

Lillian Gilbreth: Pioneering Inventor

Video thumbnail: American Masters Maggie Lena Walker: Civil Rights Activist and Entrepreneur

American Masters

Maggie Lena Walker: Civil Rights Activist and Entrepreneur

Maggie Lena Walker was the first African-American woman bank founder and president.

Maggie Lena Walker: Civil Rights Activist and Entrepreneur

Video thumbnail: American Masters Grace Abbott: Social Work Pioneer

American Masters

Grace Abbott: Social Work Pioneer

Grace Abbott spent her life fighting for the rights of women, children and immigrants.

Grace Abbott: Social Work Pioneer

Video thumbnail: American Masters Aviator Bessie Coleman

American Masters

Aviator Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman aviator.

Aviator Bessie Coleman