March commemorates Women’s History Month. I’ve written before about why Women’s History Month still matters. Textbooks, historical novels and films often omit or diminish women’s voices, stories and struggles. Media often writes women out of history. That’s why this is the perfect time to take a look at biopics and documentaries featuring women.

All this week, Bitch Flicks (my virtual home away from home!) is featuring a female-centered “Biopic and Documentary Week.” As Editor and Co-Founder Steph Rogers writes:

“Many biopics about women tend to focus on their relationships and love lives exclusively, in a way that biopics about men usually don’t…

“There are currently TWO Linda Lovelace biopics in the works, yet we rarely see biopics or documentaries about women who changed lives (and cultures)…and there are plenty of women who did.”

Women don’t merely serve as consorts to men. They lead, inspire and create change. Some of the reviews include:

• Oscar-nominated Angela Bassett as iconic singer Tina Turner (my childhood idol!) in What’s Love Got To Do With It?
• Sofia Coppola’s feminist and sympathetic re-imagining of Marie Antoinette (my post!)
• Charlize Theron’s Oscar-winning portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster
• Women in India and the pressure to not have daughters in the documentary Undesired
• Women bloggers in the Fat Acceptance and Healthy At Every Size movement in the documentary The Fat Body (In)Visible
• Vogue editor Anna Wintour and powerful women in the documentary The September Issue
• Female Iraq War vets facing PTSD in the documentary Poster Girl
• The true story of an African American mother of four girls arrested and falsely accused of selling crack cocaine in American Violet

Women have pioneered as artists, writers, inventors, scientists, soldiers, politicians and activists. But history often overlooks women’s accomplishments. Women’s History Month reminds us to celebrate and embrace the milestones women have achieved in art, history, film, medicine and social justice.

So be sure to check out Bitch Flicks‘ “Biopic and Documentary Week” for films on inspiring and revolutionary women!