Download the movie theme song: “Freeway”

Listen to the song, Freeway
“Pioneers in Skirts” is an Emmy-nominated documentary that follows filmmaker Ashley Maria as she explores the barriers that can limit the pioneering ambitions of women and girls.

In the film we follow the journey of 3 ambitious teen girls on a robotics team – Maddy, Sophia, and Iman – to understand how they have nurtured their ambition at a young age.

Maddy’s story included meeting her band mates from “The Controll Freex,” which also includes her sister Miasol. Miasol wrote and “The Controll Freex” recorded our movie theme song!

As you can imagine, we were so impressed with this girl-power song. Written by then 12 year old Miasol E. Yara, the band recorded it when she was just 13 years old.

Crank up the speakers and get pumped up before your next big meeting or event with “Freeway”, the “Pioneers in Skirts” theme song! Performed by Miasol E. Yara, Madeline Yara, Savannah Trautman, and Libby Gaertner, click below to download “Freeway“ for only 99¢!   

AMAZON: 99¢ DOWNLOAD      |       ITUNES: 99¢ DOWNLOAD

You can stream the song on SPOTIFY too!

Lyrics

Driving down a freeway with my guitar
Making my own path, I’m going far
Tired of traveling on the same road
Over and over and over
I’ll carry my own weight, I’ll carry the load

I’m on a Freeway
Nothing can slow me down, not even you and all the world
I’m on a Freeway
Cruisin’ on my own through life now I’m my o-o-o-own gir-irl

Thinking about when I’ll find my place here
I see through the struggle and now my ways clear
Life keeps going through the motions
Over and over and over
Hopping over boundaries, flying over oceans

I’m on a Freeway
Nothing can slow me down, not even you and all the world
I’m on a Freeway
Cruisin’ on my own through life now I’m my o-o-o-own gir-irl

Sometimes I might fail
But I’ll push myself up tall
No more easy trail
Cause now I’ve heard the call…the call…the c-a-a-all!

I’m on a Freeway
Nothing can slow me down, not even you and all the world
I’m on a Freeway
Cruisin’ on my own through life now I’m my o-o-o-own gir-irl

I’m on a Freeway
Nothing can slow me down, not even you and all the world
I’m on a Freeway
Cruisin’ on my own through life now I’m my o-o-o-own gir-irl

By Miasol E. Yara

⇑ meet Maddy ⇑

⇑ meet Miasol and the rest of “The Controll Freex” ⇑

20 ways to make your screening event memorable

creating a memorable event

Hosting a Movie Screening of Pioneers in Skirts?

A screening of Pioneers in Skirts can inspire personal ambition and foster supportive teams by offering practical ways to advance careers, champion others, and pave the way for future leaders.

  • For students, the film inspires students to pursue their career goals and move beyond self-doubt.
  • For professionals, it provides a practical framework for improving retention, strengthening teamwork, and creating a culture of active allyship where everyone feels valued.
Drawing on years of in-person and virtual screenings, we have learned how to integrate the film’s central themes into the venue, pre-show activities, and post-screening discussions to create a memorable, immersive event.
red carpet event
Pioneers in Skirts Props

Curate an experience

Ensure the film’s message resonates and inspires real action.

Watch Pioneers in Skirts

Invite the Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers to speak at your event.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.
Invite a Filmmaker

Provide popcorn, themed drinks, snacks.

A true cinema experience.

Pairing nostalgic candy, gourmet nachos, themed cupcakes, or custom popcorn buckets can be fun!
Themed Drink Ideas

Create photo props and custom selfie frames.

Lasting memories.

Watch your guests light up interactive photo corner!
Photo Station Ideas

Recruit sponsors to host contests, door prizes, food, and fun movie giveaways.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.
Invite a Filmmaker

Create a drive-in theater experience in a parking lot or in the auditorium.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.
Invite a Filmmaker

Create an awesome step-and-repeat as a backdrop for selfies and group photos.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.
Invite a Filmmaker

Choose a theme and tell your audience to dress up to meet that theme. Make sure everything else blends in: music, the food, decorations, etc.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.
Invite a Filmmaker

Get your audience pumped up before your movie event! As the audience arrives and sits in their seats, crank the Pioneer-on play list on Spotify. 

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.
Invite a Filmmaker

Just before you walk out to welcome everyone to your event, play the movie theme song, “Freeway,” ! 

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.
Invite a Filmmaker

Create an awesome step-and-repeat as a backdrop for selfies and group photos.

Inviting a filmmaker to speak turns a screening into a memorable event.

In schools, direct dialogue inspires aspiring talent—especially young women in STEM or male-dominated fields—to persevere. For companies, live Q&As provide professional development and help leaders and allies identify workplace cultural gaps.
Invite a Filmmaker
red carpet event
Pioneers in Skirts Props

Curate an experience

Ensure the film’s message resonates and inspires real action.

Learn more

1.  Invite the filmmakers to attend your event.

2.  Provide popcorn, drinks, snacks.

3.  Recruit sponsors to host contests, door prizes, food, and fun movie giveaways.

4.  Create a drive-in theater experience in a parking lot or in the auditorium.

5.  Create an awesome step-and-repeat as a backdrop for selfies and group photos.

6.  Create photo props and custom selfie frames.

7.  Choose a theme and tell your audience to dress up to meet that theme. Make sure everything else blends in: music, the food, decorations, etc.

8. Get your audience pumped up before your movie event! As the audience arrives and sits in their seats, crank the Pioneer-on play list on Spotify. 

9. Just before you walk out to welcome everyone to your event, play the movie theme song, “Freeway,” ! 

Hand out useful and memorable content

10. Give away inspiring and purposeful Pioneers Group Swag or Pioneers Individual Swag!

11. Provide parental resources and learning activities. Like a small ‘Take Action’ poster to hang on their wall as a reminder of the event! Here are a few ideas:

    • “We ALL Have A Role to Play” — ideas for what YOU can do to advance equity in the world
    • “Are YOU A Pioneer?” — ideas for how YOU can be a changemaker & change the world, every day
    • “THIS Is What Inclusion Feels Like” — ideas for how diverse populations feel welcome; a sense of belonging
    • “The POWER dynamics” — ideas for how to look at privilege, and understanding the power you have in a room.

⇑ These are great ideas for a video contest too! ⇑

Engage with your community

12. Invite the school/company/association newspaper to interview the filmmakers or panelists.

13. Inspire industry publications to write a story about your movie event and tell them why a movie like this is needed (like this: ACTE).

14. Help audiences members to explore their role in the solution and develop actionable steps by writing an action plan (these could be personal, professional, or both).

15. Invite community leaders, advocates, and local celebrities to be part of your event: Community groups, university faculties, middle school/high school/university students, school administrators, teachers, and elected officials who could help lead to positive change for women and girls at the intersections of marginalized identities—from K-12 through career.

16. Send event registrants a profile frame so they can show their Pioneering spirit (we’ve created a free Canva template for you to make your own!).

17. Conduct photo or video contests. Use a # (hashtag) for participants to tag their entry, then feature the winners in social media & blog posts.

Take a survey before the movie screening18. Take a poll before and after the screening to gauge feelings and perspectives.

19. Create a dedicated social media hashtag to increase attendee engagement before, during, and after your event.

20. Book a standard hosting package — which is HYBRID, and invite families to watch the film at home!

Watch the film on TV (U.S. only).

Watch Pioneers in Skirts
You can watch Pioneers in Skirts on-demand at any time with your PBS Passport membership!

Stations Broadcasting Pioneers in Skirts

STATE
MARKET
STATION
AIR DATES (local times)
CA
Rohnert Park
KPJK North California Public Media
  • Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at 08:00 pm
  • Wednesday, Jun. 21, 2023 at 08:00 pm
CA
Eureka
KEET North Coast Public Media/PBS
  • Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023 at 09:00 pm
  • Thursday, Mar. 17, 2022 at 09:00 pm
  • Saturday, Mar. 18, 2023 at 02:00 pm
  • Sunday, Mar. 20, 2022 at 03:00 pm
  • Friday, Mar. 25, 2022 at 05:00 am
  • Sunday, Mar. 27, 2022 at 02:00 am
  • Sunday, Jun. 11, 2023 at 04:00 pm
DC
Washington
WHUT Howard University Television/PBS
  • Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 10:00 pm
  • Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 02:00 am
  • Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 08:00 pm
  • Sunday, October 31, 2021 at 12:00 am
  • Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 01:00 pm
  • Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 01:00 pm
  • Monday, March 21, 2022 at 10:00 pm
  • Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 02:00 am
  • Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 12:00 pm
  • Sunday, October 2, 2022 at 08:00 pm
  • Monday, October 3, 2022 at 12:00 am
  • Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 06:00 am
  • Monday, May 1, 2023 at 10:00 pm
  • Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 02:00 am
  • Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 11:00 am
  • Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 06:00 am
  • Friday, July 14, 2023 at 08:00 pm
  • Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 12:00 am
  • Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 02:00 pm
KS
Topeka
KTWU Washburn University/PBS
  • Wednesday, Oct 6, 2021 at 7:00 pm
  • Sunday, Oct 10, 2021 at 4:00 pm
  • Monday, January 3, 2022 at 7:59 pm
  • Monday, January 3, 2022 at 9:59 pm
  • Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 9:59 pm
  • Friday March 11, 2022 at 9:59 pm
  • Monday March 13, 2022 at 9:59 pm
  • Saturday Aug 6, 2022 at 9:00 pm
  • Sunday Aug 7, 2022 at 3:00 pm
  • Sunday Aug 7, 2022 at 11:00 pm
MD
Owings Mills
MARY Maryland Public Television (MPT)/PBS
  • Monday, September 27, 2021 at 09:00 pm
  • Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10:00 pm
MO
Kansas City
KCPT Kansas City/PBS
  • Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 01:00 pm
  • Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 10:00 pm
MT
Bozeman
MONT Montana/PBS
  • Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022 at 10:00 pm
  • Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 at 03:00 am
  • Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 at 02:00 pm
  • Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023 at 03:00 am
  • Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023 at 12:00 pm
NC
Research Triangle Park
NCAR North Carolina/PBS
  • Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 10:00 pm
  • Friday, March 18, 2022 at 04:00 am
  • Monday, March 21, 2022 at 08:00 pm
  • Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 01:00 am
  • Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 09:00 am
Featured: NC Connections – Women’s History Month
NE
Lincoln
NEBR Nebraska/PBS
  • Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 02:00 pm
  • Monday, August 16, 2021 at 09:00 pm
  • Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 03:00 pm
  • Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 12:00 am
  • Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 04:00 pm
NY
Rochester
WXXI Rochester/PBS
  • Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at 04:00 pm
  • Monday, Mar. 28, 2022 at 09:00 pm
  • Tuesday, Mar. 29, 2022 at 07:00 pm
  • Monday, Mar. 6, 2023 at 12:00 am
  • Wednesday, Mar. 29, 2023 at 03:00 am
OK
Claremore
KRSU RSU-TV Rogers State University
  • Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 08:00 pm
  • Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 09:00 pm
Featured: Perspectives with Sam Jones
PA
University Park
WPSU Penn State Outreach/PBS
  • Friday, August 20, 2021 at 10:00 pm
  • Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 02:00 pm
  • Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 02:00 pm
  • Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 12:00 pm
UT
Salt Lake City
KUEN Utah Education Network
  • Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 9:00 pm
  • Monday, August 9, 2021 at 6:00 am
  • Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 9:00 pm
  • Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 1:00 am
  • Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 9:00 pm
  • Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 2:00 am
WA
Pullman
KWSU Northwest Public Broadcasting/PBS
  • Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 07:00 pm
  • Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 08:00 pm
  • Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 10:00 pm
  • Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 09:00 pm
  • Friday, February 18, 2022 at 07:00 pm
  • Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11:00 pm
WY
Riverton
WYOM Wyoming/PBS
  • Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 at 04:00 am
  • Saturday, Sep. 3, 2022 at 04:00 am
  • Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023 at 10:00 pm
  • Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023 at 04:00 am

Distributor

American Public Television: APTonline.org.

The time I started to re-think my dreams

Ashley Maria director

ASHLEY MARIA, DIRECTOR

When you were a kid, did you ever feel like the whole world received an instruction manual on life but you? Personally, I still feel like that awkward kid interpreting life from afar…with a curiosity that feeds my voice as a storyteller.

At first I tried to fight this part of me. As a kid, while my single mom encouraged me to dream big, my Oma (grandmother) taught me to embrace the “weird” and “dry sense of humor” in me. She owned her path, enjoyed telling stories that would leave me in shock, and made me giggle as she commented in what seemed to be very inappropriate German words 🙂

My Oma taught me to fully embrace the awkward side of me.
Ashley Maria wins the DGA

When I grew up I chose filmmaking as my vehicle of expression and stayed the course with being ‘awkward’ — and it paid off! My first student film won a Directors Guild of America award. When other winning films focused on intense topics, “Friday Night Fright” was an unconventional (aka awkward) comedy/horror à la Twilight Zone.

Being recognized so early in my career helped to solidify my choice, and I never looked back.

But looking to the future soon became a challenge.

After seeing female filmmakers winning the awards yet NOT getting jobs as directors (me included), I could feel me starting to doubt myself. A feeling of wanting to give up and chose a different career was creeping in.  WHAT WAS HAPPENING? Where did Oma’s awkward know-her-own-path granddaughter go?

I was determined to understand WHY this was happening — and to find a solution. Just a few years after graduating from USC with my master’s degree in cinematic arts, I stepped away from making narrative content to focus on a search for answers to make a documentary called, “Pioneers in Skirts.”

Pioneers in Skirts started as a film about the stereotyping and sexism women confront in their lives and careers and expanded into what we ALL can do about it. It’s a feature film that addresses perceptions and behaviors that can chip away at a girl or woman and make her feel like she must re-think her dreams.

And, as terrifying as it was to admit my own struggles, I put my own story into the film.

This journey of self-discovery helped me to better understand what was happening around me and reclaim everything that made me a filmmaker.

Today I continue to make narrative films (for others and myself) and supplement my income as a Production Sound Mixer on major productions as well as teach “Production Sound for Directors” at UCLA.

A “Pioneers in Skirts” Screening During the Pandemic

In Person Screening

 

This is so flippin’ cool! Pioneers in Skirts held its first hybrid event!! We screened in a THEATER and held the Q&A on the big screen.

We screened in front of an audience of Tech Mentors and Students, honoring AiC awardees within the NCWIT Nevada district. Thank you Cinema Learning Challenge for working with Galaxy Theatres to get this film in front of a REAL audience! And working with the Zoom Gremlins to get me on that big screen…

I had a BLAST acting like the Big Head from Wizard of Oz. I loved messing around with the audience – acting out and having fun. Just loved it. And, yes, I made sure there was nothing in my teeth because WOW that would have been the size of a person!

The dream is to be in-person again soon, but this was a pretty close runner up. These kinds of conversations keep us motivated. Let’s go!

United Nations Event on Impact Storytelling

UN

As part of the 2021 Commission on the Status of Women United Nations event, NFBPWC & Pioneers in Skirts co-hosted a Filmmaker Watch Party followed by a post-screening discussion. Topic experts shared best practices for how to influence empathy, bring awareness to solutions, and fast track progress towards the achievement of gender equality.

EXPERT PANEL:

  • Kim Sykes – Artistic Director at Girl Be Heard
  • Relwende Kabore – Performer at Girl Be Heard
  • Musola C. Kaseketi – Executive Director of Vilole Images Productions; Women & Girls with Disability Rights of Zambia
  • Christina Lindstrom – Head of Impact Measurement & Assessment at SIE Society
  • Ashley Maria (Director, Producer) & Lea-Ann W. Berst (Producer, Activation)