Women of STAX: Soul Sistahs
About the Stax Museum Living History Project
Stax Museum Living History Project is result of a collaboration between Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Karen Moore, Inc. We strive to tell the Memphis Music stories that will live on in the hearts and minds of the children of our future.
Every Saturday for 8 weeks, middle and high school students met, researched, and shared information on the following Memphis Women in Music: Estelle Axton, Alberta Hunter, Linda Lyndell, Deanie Parker, Carla Thomas, Mavis Staples, and The Charmels. They also learned interviewing, storytelling, and professional video camera skills to interview those that knew or worked with our subjects. Their research is the basis for a stage performance: Live from Studio A: Memphis Women in Music and this documentary.
Living history is accessible and interactive – a performance that makes history relevant to today. Students learn more than just what’s in a book or on a website. Women have played a critical role in Memphis music history for nearly a century, as artists, publicists, producers, and as record label owners. These are stories of opportunity and empowerment – women becoming entrepreneurs, creating positive change, making great music, and becoming inspirational figures.
Thanks to Jeff Kollath, Stax Museum director for his vision and support in sharing all of the stories of Stax Records and Memphis Music. Thanks to Memphis Slimhouse Collaboratory and Stax Music Academy for providing the space to create and develop this project.
Supported by TN Entertainment Commission and the Memphis and Shelby County Film and TV Commission