American Masters

The Women's List

Meet 15 women who define contemporary American culture in Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ new “List” film featuring Madeleine Albright, Margaret Cho, Edie Falco, Betsey Johnson, Alicia Keys, Nancy Pelosi, Rosie Perez, Wendy Williams and more. All trailblazers in their fields, these women share their experiences struggling against discrimination and overcoming challenges to make their voices heard.

The Women's List - Trailer

1m 37s

Meet 15 women who define contemporary American culture in Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ new “List” film featuring Madeleine Albright, Margaret Cho, Edie Falco, Betsey Johnson, Alicia Keys, Nancy Pelosi, Rosie Perez, Wendy Williams and more. All trailblazers in their fields, these women share their experiences struggling against discrimination and overcoming challenges to make their voices heard.

Previews + Extras

  • Rosie Perez: Roles for Women of Color, Over 40: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rosie Perez: Roles for Women of Color, Over 40

    S29 E9 - 1m 4s

    Rosie Perez is an Oscar-nominated actress who starred in such films as White Men Can’t Jump, Fearless and Do the Right Thing. Perez started her performance career as a dancer and went on to choreograph music videos and the television series In Living Color. Brooklyn-born and of Puerto Rican heritage, Perez is also an activist who raises awareness for many causes.

  • Fashion Designer Betsey Johnson on Inspiration and Deadlines: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fashion Designer Betsey Johnson on Inspiration and Deadlines

    S29 E9 - 1m 18s

    Betsey Johnson is an award-winning fashion designer known for her whimsical and feminine designs. She began her career in New York City in the 60s and was part of Andy Warhol’s underground scene. In 2012, Johnson celebrated 40 years of her namesake brand. In an outtake from The Women's List, she talks about the pressure of fashion shows and deadlines, and the importance of inspiration.

  • Comedian Margaret Cho on Her Parents: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Comedian Margaret Cho on Her Parents

    S29 E9 - 2m 18s

    In an outtake from The Women's List, Margaret Cho speaks about her parents' openness to the gay community and to Cho's bisexuality, and about their distinct accents. Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author and singer-songwriter. She is best known for her stand-up routines that address social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality.

  • Filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders: The Women's List : asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders: The Women's List

    S29 E9 - 3m 53s

    Photographer-filmmaker Timothy Greenfield Sanders uses a large format Deardorff camera and shoots just six to eight frames for his portraits. For the women in The Women's List, he has created 15 portraits that are distinct, but also flow together. The portrait sitting and filmed interviews take place in his studio, which is also his home, allowing for a warmer atmosphere in which to relax.

  • Laurie Anderson: On Identity and Her God Complex: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Laurie Anderson: On Identity and Her God Complex

    S29 E9 - 1m 28s

    "I am a New Yorker one, I’m an artist two, I’m a woman three,” says Laurie Anderson in this excerpt from The Women's List. The artist best known for her pioneering electronic music admits she has a “God complex.” “I like to make things that were not there. And then I put them there. I’m just a control freak, an average American control freak." The film features Anderson and 14 other women.

  • Fran Drescher on Lucille Ball: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fran Drescher on Lucille Ball

    S29 E9 - 1m 28s

    American film and television comedian, model, actress, and producer Fran Drescher, star of the hit TV sitcom "The Nanny," reflects on how Lucille Ball used the character of Lucy to present a stylish, smart and independent woman who resonated with millions of women across America.

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