I recently returned from the PBS annual meeting and came away very proud of the programming coming this fall and beyond.
PBS will help to tell more stories specifically about women. The campaign, Women and Girls Lead, will encompass short stories, mini-series, broadcasts, and web content featuring extraordinary stories about women through several of PBS’ regular series – Independent Lens, Global Voices, and Frontline. For more information and a full list of programs, visit http://www.itvs.org/women-and-girls-lead.
One of these programs, Half the Sky, will air in October on Independent Lens as a multi-part feature telling the stories of oppressed women in other countries who have escaped, healed, and gone on to do great things. The program is based on the best-selling book by Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. These stories are truly inspiring.
Several short stories will also be aired featuring amazing women right here in Kansas City. Peregrine Honig, a local artist; Monica Steiner, a breast cancer survivor who is raising money for breast cancer research through the organization “Ironteam;” Alice Piggee-Wallack, a pastor making a difference in an under-served Kansas City community; and Brionna Williams, a student-athlete who overcame a serious health problem to achieve her dream. Watch the schedule for these stories about groundbreaking Kansas City women.
MAKERS, is a documentary about national women figures and every day ground breakers. They are role models, front line activists, and first in their field. Just a few of the featured women – Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Ellen Degeneres, Dr. Susan Love (breast cancer pioneer), Maya Lin (artist and architect), and Gloria Steinem. This documentary will air in early 2013.
Beginning on Labor Day, another great new children’s show – Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. This is an animated children’s program from the Fred Rogers’ Company featuring the new generation of characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. It’s certain to be a hit with the kids!
Paula Kerger recently came to Kansas City to speak through the Chamber’s “Insight Kansas City” speaker series. Jim Heeter, the Chamber’s CEO, said this about Paula and KCPT, “Kerger had the highest praise for our local PBS station, KCPT. KCPT is serving as a trusted and constructive center stage for the region.” It’s always nice to hear these great comments.
As a reminder, mark your calendars for Homecoming on July 20 – airing to a national audience. The Kansas City Symphony and hometown soprano, Joyce DiDonato, perform as part of PBS’ Summer Arts Festival at Kansas City’s wonderful Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
As always, thank you for watching!
Kliff Kuehl
