Thursday, April 16, 2026
All Day
Please Note: This recording includes the introduction and post-screening discussion. Due to copyright laws, we are unable to share the documentary film Free Joan Little as part of this recording. You can learn more and request access here on Retro Report’s website: https://retroreport.org/free-joan-little/
Join us for a screening of the documentary “Free Joan Little” by Yoruba Richen and Retro Report, which had its world premiere in November at the Doc NYC Festival. We will be joined by Ms. Richen for a conversation about the role of two Black women, Rosa Parks and Joan Little, in catalyzing a national fight for civil rights, women’s rights and prison reform. Educators are encouraged to attend, as free classroom resources will be shared.
Moderated by David Olson, Director of Education at Retro Report, this conversation will explore Parks’ and Little’s contributions to the decades-long fight to end racial discrimination, and how secondary teachers and parents can use their stories to educate and inspire the young learners of today.
About the Film:
FREE JOAN LITTLE tells the story of the landmark 1975 murder trial of the first woman in U.S. history to be acquitted for using deadly force to resist sexual assault. At 20 years old, Joan (pronounced Jo-Ann) Little was incarcerated in North Carolina when she killed a white jailer who she said tried to rape her. Her trial drew national attention, becoming a rallying point for civil rights, women’s rights and prison reform. The case brought together activists including Angela Davis and Rosa Parks, and catalyzed a national conversation about sexual assault and racial justice. Little’s fight for freedom remains a defining moment in American legal and social history.
Content Warning: This event may contain depictions of or references to subject matter that may be sensitive for some individuals including—but not limited to—sexual assault, racism, sexism, and violence. Classroom resources distributed to educators will provide guidance on adapting the documentary and discussion for young students.
This program was part of A Time for Liberty: Our Shared History, Our Shared Future, a yearlong slate of free, inclusive programs exploring the evolving meanings of liberty and justice in America. A Time for Liberty is made possible with support from civic and cultural partners including the City of Philadelphia, America250PA, Campus250, the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, the National Trust Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program series, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.