Stream the series now with KPBS Passport on KPBS+ / Watch Wednesdays, March 11 - 25, 2026 at 9 p.m. on KPBS 2
ROUTE 66 WOMEN: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE MOTHER ROAD explores the extraordinary lives and achievements of women who overcame gender discrimination and segregation to build fulfilling lives and legacies on America’s most iconic highway. From entrepreneurs and waitresses, anthropologists and politicians, to artists and military sergeants, these women transformed their communities and the American West through their hard work, perseverance and ingenuity.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: "The Origin of Women on Route 66" - Women embraced driving from the start, despite assumptions from early automobile makers that men would be behind the wheel. For them, Route 66 was not just a way of getting from point to point, an opportunity for entrepreneurship, creativity, political activism and independence. From Pueblo women opening up roadside stands in New Mexico to an African American hotelier in Springfield, Missouri, listed in the Green Book, women overcame segregation and gender discrimination to succeed on Route 66.
Episode 2: "World War II & the Post War Period" - World War II brought renewed energy and purpose to Route 66 as the country suddenly needed to transport people, arms and ammunition from one coast to the other. Hospitality work was viewed as a natural extension of the domestic sphere, and on Route 66 many women worked in family businesses providing food and lodging. The war allowed women to move out of low paying jobs and perform patriotic duties that were highly skilled and dangerous, such as sorting ammunition. After the war, these women would create vibrant businesses on their own. From the CEO of an iconic Route 66 restaurant in Gallup, New Mexico to Navajo women at the Ordinance Depot in Flagstaff, Arizona these women rejected domesticity in favor of a career. Also the story of the writing of the iconic song "Route 66" by Bobby Troup.
Episode 3: "The Death and Rebirth of the Mother Road" - In the 1950s, the creation of interstate highways, environmental disasters and unemployment begins to take a toll on Route 66 and the many small towns affected. Throughout it all, women were at the forefront to keep their main streets alive, from the first Latina mayor of San Bernardino, California who created legislation for an off-ramp into a Mexican American neighborhood bypassed by the new highway; to Amy Inouye in Los Angeles, California who has worked tirelessly to save the beloved “ChickenBoy,” a gigantic roadside statue. Women have been leading revitalization projects that keep the lights on in their communities, boost the local economy and preserve American history for generations to come.
Watch On Your Schedule: ROUTE 66 WOMEN: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE MOTHER ROAD is available to stream now with KPBS+, a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.
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Credit: Distributed by American Public Television.
