The creators of the “Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road” documentary film will launch a summer tour with a screening on June 14 in Springfield, Missouri.
The 7 p.m. event at Duane Meyer Library, Room 101, in Missouri State University Libraries will include a panel discussion with filmmakers, the Chix on 66 group that is helping lead the tour and other Route 66 advocates.
More about the event from a news release:
The documentary film series “Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road” explores how women overcame segregation and gender discrimination to build fulfilling lives for themselves and generations to come on America’s most beloved road. This special event is being held in conjunction with Chix on 66 — 40 women motorcyclists who are riding the “Mother Road” to Santa Monica, California, making the classic American journey on classic machines. Some women will be riding vintage motorcycles, while others will make the trip on modern mounts. This event will pay special attention to important Missourians past and present, including the inspiring entrepreneur Alberta Ellis in Springfield, who opened a hotel to serve African American travelers.
Film producer Michelle Kantor will be joined by a panel of experts for a discussion following the film including Missouri State University Libraries’ Head of Special Collections Anne M. Baker, author and photographer Shellee Graham and president of the Riveter Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Karan Andrea. This event is made possible with support from the Harley Davidson Foundation, Missouri State University Libraries, Route 66 Association of Missouri and Chix on 66. It is free and open to the public. Please visit www.route66women.com, or email katrinaparks@mac.com for more information.
The film’s director, Katrina Parks, said other screenings are shaping up below:
- June 18-19 (Oklahoma City) and June 24-25 (Tulsa) at the AAA Oklahoma Route 66 Festival
- July 16 in Kingman, Arizona
- Aug. 4 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on Wilshire Boulevard (also known as museum row)
- Aug. 17 in Winslow, Arizona
She said other screening dates will be announced shortly.
—