Inspiring Biopics: Women’s Rights Stories

Description: Salma Hayek stars as Frida Kahlo, the iconic Mexican artist whose life was marked by physical pain, political activism, and a tumultuous relationship with Diego Rivera, all while she painted her way through adversity.

Fact: Hayek was nominated for an Oscar for her role, and the film features original artwork by Kahlo.

Description: Julia Roberts delivers an Oscar-winning performance as Erin Brockovich, a single mother who becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city's water supply.

Fact: Erin Brockovich herself made a cameo in the film, and the real-life case resulted in one of the largest direct-action lawsuits in U.S. history.

Description: Meryl Streep stars as Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female Prime Minister, exploring her political career and personal life, highlighting her impact on women's roles in politics.

Fact: Streep won her third Oscar for Best Actress for this role, and the film was shot in various locations in London to recreate the era.

Description: Set in the 1960s, this film tells the story of African-American maids in Mississippi who share their experiences with a young white woman, leading to a book that exposes the racial and gender inequalities of the time.

Fact: The film was adapted from Kathryn Stockett's novel, and it was shot in Greenwood, Mississippi, to authentically recreate the era.

Description: Glenn Close stars as Joan Castleman, the long-suffering wife of a celebrated novelist, whose journey to Stockholm for his Nobel Prize acceptance reveals the truth about their literary partnership.

Fact: Close won the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her performance, and the film was adapted from Meg Wolitzer's novel.

Description: This film delves into the lives of the early 20th-century suffragettes in Britain, focusing on Maud Watts, a working-class woman who becomes involved in the movement for women's right to vote. It's a powerful depiction of the sacrifices made by these women.

Fact: Meryl Streep plays Emmeline Pankhurst, making a brief but impactful appearance. The film was shot in various locations in London to maintain historical accuracy.

Description: This biopic chronicles the early career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, focusing on her fight against gender discrimination and her landmark case that challenged sex discrimination in the U.S. legal system.

Fact: Felicity Jones, who plays Ginsburg, prepared for the role by studying tapes of Ginsburg's speeches and interviews to capture her mannerisms and voice.

Description: Celebrating the achievements of three African-American women mathematicians at NASA, this film highlights their crucial role in the space race, showcasing their fight against both racial and gender discrimination.

Fact: The film was adapted from Margot Lee Shetterly's book of the same name, and the real-life women portrayed in the film were consultants on the project.

Description: Sally Field stars as Norma Rae, a factory worker who becomes a union organizer, fighting for better working conditions and rights for her fellow workers, many of whom are women.

Fact: Sally Field won her first Best Actress Oscar for this role, and the film was based on the true story of Crystal Lee Sutton.

Description: This film focuses on Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, leaders of the National Woman's Party, and their militant campaign for women's suffrage in the early 20th century.

Fact: The film was shot in various historical locations in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., to maintain authenticity.