Museum to show free movies for Women’s History Month

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center will offer a series of free movie screenings this month, in honor of Women’s History Month, according to an announcement from Museum Communications Coordinator Tamara Valdez.

Starting on Thursday and continuing until March 30, the museum will screen films showcasing the remarkable achievements of four historical women who triumphed against adversity, according to the announcement. The featured women are Sandra Day O'Connor, Amy Tan, Helen Keller, and Marian Anderson. These films will be presented on Thursdays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. at the museum, located at 401 S. Balsam St.

For 191 years, the Supreme Court of the United States had only male justices until President Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female justice in 1981, which made headlines, Valdez wrote. Time Magazine's cover declared, "Justice at Last," and she received unanimous Senate approval. Throughout her two decades on the Supreme Court, O'Connor played a crucial role as the swing vote in cases involving significant 20th-century issues like race, gender, and reproductive rights. She notably cast the deciding vote in Bush v. Gore. Drawing from Evan Thomas' book "First: Sandra Day O'Connor," this biographical film portrays the life of a pioneering woman who both mirrored and influenced an era. This movie has a runtime of two hours and will be screened at 1 p.m. March 7 and 9.

The second film in the series, featuring Amy Tan in “Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir,” will be shown at 1 p.m. March 14 and 16, according to the announcement. In 1989, Amy Tan achieved immense commercial and critical success with her debut novel, “The Joy Luck Club.” She went on to further establish herself as a prominent American literary figure through a successful film adaptation, subsequent novels, a libretto, short stories, and memoirs. This film runs for one hour and 40 minutes.

The third movie, titled "Becoming Helen Keller," is centered around Helen Keller, a remarkable figure who, despite being deaf and blind from a young age, passionately advocated for women's rights, individuals with disabilities, and those in poverty, according to the announcement. Narrated by disability rights advocate Rebecca Alexander, the documentary delves into Keller's intricate legacy. Through rarely seen photographs, film clips, and poignant performances of her writings by actor Cherry Jones with ASL interpretation by Alexandria Wailes, the film explores Keller's inspiring life, shedding light on the social challenges she faced and the progressive changes she helped bring about. This film, running for one hour and 22 minutes, will be screened at 1 p.m. March 21 and 23.

The last installment of the series will be “Voice of Freedom,” Valdez wrote. Narrated by actress Renee Elise Goldsberry, this film delves into the life of singer Marian Anderson, whose extraordinary talent transcended barriers worldwide. “Voice of Freedom” intricately weaves Anderson’s captivating life journey with pivotal moment in history, touching on themes of talent, race, fame, democracy, and the essence of the American spirit.

Anderson, hailed as a voice that comes along once in a century, garnered acclaim from audiences of all backgrounds. Despite her fame, she faced the harsh realities of racism and segregation. In a significant moment on Easter Sunday in 1939, she stood before the Lincoln Memorial, where the words "all men are created equal" were etched on its walls. Denied a performance at Constitution Hall due to her race, Anderson courageously sang for the American people in the open air.

“Voice of Freedom” runs for one hour and 41 minutes and will be shown at 1 p.m. March 28 and 30.

These films are suitable for all ages, and seating is limited to the first 200 attendees, according to the announcement. More information can be found at the museum’s website, www.moseslakemuseum.com.

An earlier version of this story gave incorrect dates for the showing of "Voice of Freedom." It has been corrected above.

    Marian Anderson, who used her acclaimed voice to promote racial equality, is one of the women featured in a movie series to be shown at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center this month.
  

    Author Amy Tan arrives for the State Dinner for Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, at the White House in Washington on Aug. 2, 2016. Tan’s contributions to the arts and other aspects of her life are part of a film series hosted by the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center in March.
  

    Helen Keller with lifelong companion and teacher Anne Sullivan in 1899. This photo was taken by Alexander Graham Bell at his School of Vocal Physiology and Mechanics of Speech. Keller was known for being blind, deaf and mute until Sullivan entered her life and helped her learn to communicate despite her disabilities.