The Vote, Part 1

WARNING: There are some very disturbing photos of black lynching victims. Be aware of this, as you might or might not want to allow your kids to see this.

The production staff listed on IMDB must be for the series overall, as all the folks who wrote, produced, directed, narrated and edited "The Vote" were women. Likewise, the vast majority of experts talking about the issue were women as well. Considering it's about women's suffrage, this does make sense!

Part one of the two-part series begins during Reconstruction and ends around 1915. During this time, women could only legally vote in a small number of western states. However, this was not a universal movement. Some women were against the right to vote and some suffragettes were also against including black women in their cause as well. This episode focuses on the events that led to the movement gaining momentum and more widespread acceptance.

The mini-series is exceptional. Very well made, very compelling and very interesting. Well worth your time.

PBS really did terrific work here giving us a whole timeline of the suffrage movement from restoration through 1920. These women were true revolutionaries, but PBS doesn't sanitize their problematic role/political choices (especially the great Alice Paul) in regards to black women. This was a complicated time in which the women were trying to figure out how to fight the system both inside and out. Direct Action combined with politics. Every student in high school should have this two part film as part of their curriculum.