Girl power rules at PBS, with three new programs on tap

When Naomi Kutin was 10, essentially 97 pounds of pure pluck, she broke a world powerlifting record by hoisting 215 pounds (98 kg), in competition. An Orthodox Jew from New Jersey, she earned the nickname Supergirl and has since set records in bench press (125 pounds/57 kg), squat (321 pounds/146 kg) and deadlift (363 pounds/165 kg).

Kutin is the subject of the documentary Supergirl, airing under PBS’s Independent Lens banner next month. Director Jessie Auritt followed the tiny titan over three years, from age 11 to age 14. In addition to typical adolescent concerns, the film shows Kutin adhering to strict religious obligations, combating cyberbullying and dealing with health issues that threaten her powerlifting.

Supergirl premières Dec. 18 on PBS, and begins streaming the next day on the Independent Lens website.

“At a time when many of us feel helpless, Supergirl proves we should never give up on the little guy — except today’s superhero is a super girl,” said Lois Vossen, executive producer for Independent Lens.

In fact, the idea of girl power is washing over PBS like so many refrains of the Spice Girls anthem Wannabe. Last week, the U.S. public broadcaster debuted the web series Inspiring Woman as part of its American Masters programming, as well as its year-long campaign inviting people to share stories of exceptional women they know using the hashtag #InspiringWomanPBS.

Unravelling over six episodes, Inspiring Woman lets influential professionals tell their stories and explain how they’re changing their industries.

Among those featured: Tracy Clayton, co-host of BuzzFeed’s award-winning podcast Another Round (available now); Angie Mar, one of Food & Wine’s best new chefs of 2017 (debuts Nov. 22); and Sara Chipps, the JavaScript developer who co-founded the non-profit Girl Develop It (debuts Dec. 6).

Webcam performer Molly Soda is in the spotlight Dec. 20, while entrepreneur Rakia Reynolds is up Jan. 3. Visual artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, who created the street art series Stop Telling Women to Smile, headlines the Jan. 17 episode.

“Our digital platforms give us a chance to spotlight new voices in our culture,” said Michael Kantor, executive producer of American Masters, “and these women are all innovative powerhouses.”

Finally, on Nov. 23, one of Canada’s own free-spirited females comes to the fore. The new TV movie Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars follows Anne Shirley (played by Ella Ballentine), as she turns 13 and faces challenges with her friends, her guardians the Cuthberts (Martin Sheen and Sara Botsford) and Gilbert (Drew Haytaoglu).

It’s the second in a series of three Green Gables’ films airing on PBS. The first, dubbed simply Anne of Green Gables, debuted last November and drew 3.2 million viewers. Anne of Green Gables: Fire & Dew airs next year.

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