Black Women Making History: A Film Series

February 2026 is the 100th anniversary of Black History Month celebrations in America. At the Sherwood Forest Branch, we will be paying tribute to trailblazing Black women with a documentary film series. All of these films are available on Kanopy, a film and TV streaming service offered to library users around the world, including cardholders at the Detroit Public Library.

Join us Thursdays at 3pm EST. We will screen the following documentaries:

Thursday, February 5: Mavis!: Gospel Music Legend and Civil Rights Activist Mavis Staples (Not Rated)

An award-winning documentary on gospel/soul music legend and civil rights icon Mavis Staples and her family group, The Staple Singers. From the freedom songs of the ’60s and hits like "I’ll Take You There" in the ’70s, to funked-up collaborations with Prince and her recent albums with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Mavis has stayed true to her roots, kept her family close, and inspired millions along the way.

Thursday, February 12: Move When the Spirit Says Move: The Legacy of Dorothy Foreman Cotton (Not Rated)

Dorothy Foreman Cotton was a bold and highly effective civil rights leader, who educated thousands about their citizenship rights and inspired generations of activists with her powerful freedom songs. The only woman on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s executive staff, Dorothy was a charismatic, courageous and consistently overlooked key player in the Civil Rights Movement, whose freedom schools, freedom songs and messages of empowerment are profoundly needed today.

Thursday, February 19: Woman in Motion (TV-PG)

Nichelle Nichols' daunting task to launch a national blitz for NASA, recruiting 8,000 of the nation's best and brightest, including the trailblazing astronauts who became the first African American, Asian and Latino men and women to fly in space.

Thursday, February 26: Storming Caesars Palace (Not Rated)

Chronicles the extraordinary life of Ruby Duncan, an activist who fights the welfare system and becomes a White House advisor. Ruby, along with Mary Wesley, Alversa Beals, and low-income mothers across the country form the National Welfare Rights Organization to fight for an adequate income, dignity, and justice. Together, they introduce a Guaranteed Income campaign in 1969 which, with feminist Gloria Steinem at their side, becomes part of the Democratic platform in 1972.

The films shown are all covered under public performance rights. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. This is NOT a ticketed event, so seats and food are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register in order to receive important updates about this series.

Questions? Email [email protected] for help!

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Host or Publisher Sherwood | Detroit Public Library