On Their Shoulders logo

1 Season

21 Episodes

On Their Shoulders examines the history of movements from the perspective of today’s young changemakers to the stories of those who organized and fought before them.

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How AOC Is Paving the Way for a New Generation of Leaders With Representation
On Their Shoulders
S1 E21

How AOC Is Paving the Way for a New Generation of Leaders With Representation

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez continues making waves in D.C. with her unapologetic honesty and progressive policies — here’s how the Latina rep is inspiring new generations of community leaders.

How Entertainment Legend Rita Moreno Is Inspiring New Generations
On Their Shoulders
S1 E20

How Entertainment Legend Rita Moreno Is Inspiring New Generations

She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she *is* the moment — we’re taking a look at Rita Moreno’s trailblazing career and how she continues to inspire a new generation of Latine artists and entertainers.

Rep. Terri Sewell on the legacy of John Lewis
On Their Shoulders
S1 E19

Rep. Terri Sewell on the legacy of John Lewis

’There are forces in America today trying to take us back to another time and another place.'As an agent of change, Rep. Terri Sewell sees the work of the late John Lewis as an inspiration while also serving as a reminder that the fight for justice and equality must continue to preserve the rights of future generations

Jane Goodall's Grandson on Her Legacy Inspiring New Generations of Activists
On Their Shoulders
S1 E18

Jane Goodall's Grandson on Her Legacy Inspiring New Generations of Activists

‘She still works just as hard as she did when she was 30’ — Conservationist Merlin Van Lawick shares how his grandmother Jane Goodall broke barriers for women in science and continues to inspire new generations of activists.

On Their Shoulders: Shirley Chisholm (feat. Rep. Ilhan Omar)
On Their Shoulders
S1 E17

On Their Shoulders: Shirley Chisholm (feat. Rep. Ilhan Omar)

Despite facing adversity, Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to Congress, fought to expand food assistance programs across the country.

Kamala Harris: 'She's Living For Her Mother'
On Their Shoulders
S1 E16

Kamala Harris: 'She's Living For Her Mother'

How VP Kamala Harris' mom shaped her into the leader she is today ❤️From researching the cure to cancer, to raising two strong Black and Indian American women, this author explains how @kamalaharris' mother helped shape the VP into the inspiring leader she is today (with @hithapalepu)

How Darin Sallam Turned Hardship Into the Prolific Film 'Farha'
On Their Shoulders
S1 E15

How Darin Sallam Turned Hardship Into the Prolific Film 'Farha'

‘We don’t really see Middle Eastern media get that level of attention’ — Palestinian filmmaker Darin Sallam went from painting murals to sharing stories on-screen, but through it all she’s continued to be daring in her work, encouraging other women in media like activist Amani al-Khatahtbeh to do the same

On Their Shoulders: Missy Elliott
On Their Shoulders
S1 E14

On Their Shoulders: Missy Elliott

Rapper, producer, and songwriter Missy Elliott helped usher in a new sound in rap and hip-hop with cutting-edge music that was a hit on the charts.

How Wayne Shorter Revolutionized Jazz, Pop, and Classical Music
On Their Shoulders
S1 E13

How Wayne Shorter Revolutionized Jazz, Pop, and Classical Music

With more than 40 albums and hundreds of collaborations, Wayne Shorter helped shape jazz, pop, and classical music.

How Muriel Siebert Became the 'First Woman of Finance' on the NYSE
On Their Shoulders
S1 E12

How Muriel Siebert Became the 'First Woman of Finance' on the NYSE

Even though she had no college degree or any connections, Muriel Siebert became the first woman on the New York Stock Exchange.

On Their Shoulders: Quinta Brunson
On Their Shoulders
S1 E11

On Their Shoulders: Quinta Brunson

Emmy-winning actor, producer, and writer Quinta Brunson created ‘Abbott Elementary’ on her own terms and reinvigorated the formula for network sitcoms — but it might not have been possible without a failure earlier in her career.

Mini Timmaraju's Influence on the Next Generation of Abortion-rights Activists
On Their Shoulders
S1 E10

Mini Timmaraju's Influence on the Next Generation of Abortion-rights Activists

Mini Timmaraju, who was born the same year as the landmark Roe v. Wade case, has spent years fighting for reproductive freedom.

Mary Church Terrell’s Advocacy & Impact on Voting Rights
On Their Shoulders
S1 E9

Mary Church Terrell’s Advocacy & Impact on Voting Rights

'We can't leave people behind' — The legacy of Mary Church TerrellHamilton Brooks is an activist who works with @genvoteus, an advocacy movement that empowers young people to use their right to vote to effect change.

How Dolores Huerta Continues to Inspire Immigration Activsts
On Their Shoulders
S1 E8

How Dolores Huerta Continues to Inspire Immigration Activsts

‘‘Sí se puede,’ to me, means our ability to change the world’ — Here’s how Dolores Huerta’s efforts to organize farm workers and improve their working conditions continues to inspire DACA recipient and immigration activist Sara Mora

How Erica Ford Has Inspired the Next Gen of Gun Reform Activists
On Their Shoulders
S1 E7

How Erica Ford Has Inspired the Next Gen of Gun Reform Activists

'Her zero-tolerance policy for bullsh*t is part of what helped enable [March For Our Lives] to be successful from the onset' — This is how trailblazer Erica Ford has inspired David Hogg and the next generation of gun reform activists

How Monica Roberts Continues to Inspire the LGBTQ+ Community
On Their Shoulders
S1 E6

How Monica Roberts Continues to Inspire the LGBTQ+ Community

'She was a proud, unapologetic, Black trans woman.

Miana Bryant on the legacy of Taraji P. Henson
On Their Shoulders
S1 E5

Miana Bryant on the legacy of Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson's work as a mental health advocate has helped break the stigma in Hollywood and inspired a new generation to do the same in their communities ❤️#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #tarajiphenson #celebs

How Nawal El Saadawi Shook Up the Patriarchy in Egypt
On Their Shoulders
S1 E4

How Nawal El Saadawi Shook Up the Patriarchy in Egypt

'I don't accept humiliation, or inequality, or injustice' — Nawal El Saadawi's legacy continues to inspire many young Arab and Arab American women, like activist Jana Amin, through her works on gender equality, education activism, and equal opportunity for women

The Lasting Legacy of Grace Lee Boggs in the AAPI Movement
On Their Shoulders
S1 E3

The Lasting Legacy of Grace Lee Boggs in the AAPI Movement

‘We are the leaders we’ve been looking for’ — The late Grace Lee Boggs was a fierce advocate for communities of color, and she continues to inspire a new generation of young activists to be a force for change

The Legacy of Civil Rights Icon Fannie Lou Hamer
On Their Shoulders
S1 E2

The Legacy of Civil Rights Icon Fannie Lou Hamer

Fannie Lou Hamer was one of the most powerful voices of the Civil Rights Movement, fighting against police brutality, white supremacy, sexual assault, and segregated education — this is how her legacy lives on today

Meet the Indigenous Activist Inspiring the Next Generation
On Their Shoulders
S1 E1

Meet the Indigenous Activist Inspiring the Next Generation

Winona LaDuke has been a champion for Indigenous rights for years — and now she’s inspiring a new generation of activists to join the fightWatch more episodes of 'On Their Shoulders'

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