The documentary film, Rivers of Women, is coming soon.
Rivers of Women, written and directed by Lyah B. LeFlore-Ituen, focuses on the life and contributions of the late St. Louis Poet Laureate Emeritus, Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore. Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore, known for her activism and artistic endeavors, played a significant role as a catalyst for change within the St. Louis community. The film aims to chronicle LeFlore’s evolution from her early years to her emergence as a renowned poet on both national and international platforms.
The title of the film, Rivers of Women, is derived from LeFlore’s well-known poetry collection published in 2013. Through this documentary, LeFlore’s impactful work and enduring legacy will be explored about the experiences and challenges faced by Black women in the St. Louis area. The narrative will trace LeFlore’s journey through various neighborhoods such as Carr Square Village, The Ville, Gaslight Square, the Millcreek area, Laclede Town, and the establishment of the Black Artist Group (BAG), culminating in the events surrounding Ferguson. In her later years, LeFlore, as a respected elder, imparted invaluable insights on overcoming trauma to individuals like Lezley McSpadden, the mother of Michael Brown, a teenager tragically killed in Ferguson. McSpadden’s perspective will be featured through an interview in the film. This cinematic exploration will span themes of culture, arts, and race nearly eight decades.
