American Masters

Holly Near: Singing for Our Lives

Experience the power of song in the struggle for equality through the story of feminist singer and activist Holly Near, who for the last 40 years has worked on global social justice coalition-building in the women’s and lesbian movements. Directed by Jim Brown (American Masters — The Highwaymen: Friends Til The End; American Masters – Pete Seeger: The Power of Song).

Holly Near: Singing for Our Lives Trailer

1m 49s

An outspoken political activist and singer-songwriter, Holly Near’s music and life story illustrate how song can have the power to send a clarion call and influence the course of social justice – from the lesbian and women’s movements to anti-war efforts and the fight to give South American women a voice.

Previews + Extras

  • Holly Near on the story behind "Singing For Our Lives": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Holly Near on the story behind "Singing For Our Lives"

    S33 E4 - 2m 49s

    Holly Near shares the touching story behind her famous song "Singing For Our Lives" and explains how it turned into an anthem for the LGBTQ movement. The song was written after she heard news of the assassination of city supervisor Harvey Milk, a champion of homosexual rights.

  • Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem on Holly Near: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem on Holly Near

    S33 E4 - 3m 12s

    Directed by four-time Emmy Award-winner Jim Brown (American Masters — The Highwaymen: Friends Til The End, American Masters – Pete Seeger: The Power of Song), the documentary premieres nationwide Friday, March 1 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) in honor of Women’s History Month and will be available to stream the following day via pbs.org/americanmasters and PBS apps.

Similar Shows

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.