The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road
A three-part documentary series exploring how women overcame gender discrimination and segregation on America’s most beloved road.
Photos on this page courtesy of Assertion Films, author John Butte, the Library of Congress, the Old Trails Museum, Missouri State University Libraries and artist Mary Lowden.Click here to see the series Trailer.
The film series has been broadcast on PBS stations across the country through American Public Television. You can now see the films through Streaming, and you can like us on Facebook where we have a list of upcoming events, read our latest news, and support this project with a tax-deductible donation to support our oral history work.
We also invite you to explore this web-site where you can read the about the project and then explore the story map and the lesson plans.
What People Are Saying
The Women Who Bucked Gender Roles Along Route 66
In a time of misogyny and limited opportunities, Route 66 offered women a chance to make their mark on the American experience.
— KCET, Los Angeles
New Feature: Girl Scout Activities & Lesson Plans for Teachers
Route 66 provides an excellent lens for learning about American History in the 20th century.
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Early Days on the Mother Road
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The Legacy of Segregation
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World War II & Post-War Era
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Women on the Move
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Native American Experiences
Other Projects By Katrina Parks
Katrina’s first documentary “The Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound” explores how one of the first all female American labor forces opened the doors of the American West and the workplace to women.
