Heroes of Freedom: Harriet Tubman & Rosa Parks

In this short but excellent program, viewers are told the inspiring stories of two African-American women considered true “heroes of freedom.” Although they lived in two very different eras—Harriet Tubman died in 1913, the same year Rosa Parks was born—they shared many traits, including courage, commitment to justice, and a belief in human equality. Combining live-action re-enactments, archival footage and photos, and fine graphics, the program revisits Tubman's extraordinary work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping over 300 slaves escape to freedom in the north during the 19th century, as well as Rosa Parks' remarkable stand in 1955, when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, AL—an act that became a catalyst for the subsequent Civil Rights movement. Although the stories are simply told (given the target audience of 8-12), crucial concepts such as enslavement, segregation, and prejudice, are not glossed over, but rather presented as vocabulary words onscreen with contextual explanations. Very affordably priced, this maiden entry in the Heroes of Freedom series is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: E, I, J, P. (E. Gieschen)