"[E]mpowers young Americans, offering hope, inspiration and a way forward." Maureen Moffitt Wilt, Prof Emerita, Social Work, Univ of Central Missouri

The first words of her poem America (later set to music and called America the Beautiful) came to Bates as she surveyed the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains from the broad summit of Colorado's Pike's Peak on July 22, 1893. Bates penned lyrics that reflect both a love for her country and a desire for reform. The song does not ignore the fact that the United States has often not lived up to its promises and ideals, yet it honors the unbroken chain of Americans who, living up to those ideals and loving their country deeply, strived to make it all it can be.



Grade Level: 9 - 12, College, Adults
US Release Date: 2025     Copyright Date: 2025
DVD ISBN: 1-961192-42-X

Reviews "From Sea to Shining Sea is a beautiful story beautifully told. I hope it gets the traction it deserves! Bravo!" Rick Steves, travel writer and PBS personaility "As a high school history teacher I can say this is a great resource! The documentary presents Bates' life in an engaging way and ties in important historical context throughout. Students will be able to relate to her experiences while also gaining an understanding of what life was like at the turn of the 20th century." Maggie Montgomery, Social Studies teacher, Lincoln High School "Katharine Lee Bates understood something profound about being American: that real patriots love America while recognizing our flaws, and work to be better. This documentary restores her to the pantheon of artists who deserve to be known and celebrated for their vision of the United States as a place of astonishing natural beauty and human potential for freedom and happiness." Sonja Czarnecki, Social Studies Teacher, Bishop Seabury Academy "From Sea to Shining Sea provides a valuable addition to Social Studies curricular materials. The usage of period photography and documents is mixed creatively with muted watercolors, background music, engaging narration and expert commentary to convey the rich life and work of the poet Katharine Lee Bates in the context of the storied grandeur of this beloved but also, flawed, nation." David Wackerbarth, former Social Studies teacher, Highline School "A beautiful film and an inspiring story! It's an important statement, a central corrective for our culture. It incorporates ways of looking that perhaps are known to spiritual souls and to artists and to hikers and environmentalists and to indigenous people everywhere. What has become peripheral must become central." Deirdre Godfrey, Teacher, Springfield, Massachusetts "This interesting film tells us not only of a song steeped in American tradition, but also of the woman whose travels and experiences inspired the hymn. I found it fascinating that the film told Ms. Bates' life through historical events and personal narrative, and would use it for units on American inspiration, women's history, and the influence of history on popular culture." Anne Hester, U.S. History Teacher, Social Studies Department Chair, East Lee County High School "From Sea to Shining Sea is a masterpiece! So well done, beautifully moving, and timely." Gus Speth, Former Director, United Nations Development Program, Dean Emeritus, Yale Environment School "From Sea to Shining Sea is an excellent account of the life of Katharine Lee Bates, best known as the lyricist of the song ''America the Beautiful.'' It explores her time as both a student and professor at Wellesley College, and events on her trip to teach summer school in Colorado in 1893 that inspired her to write the song. I highly recommend this film, which connects important events of the Gilded Age to Bates' life and captures both the promises and challenges of the era." John Shekitka, Assistant Professor of Social Studies, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Manhattanville University "A powerful, impactful, timely film. From Sea to Shining Sea masterfully weaves the story of this unsung heroine with the untold people's history of the United States. Everyone who cares about this country and global peace should view this documentary." Susan Erenrich, Social Movement History Documentarian, Lecturer of Government Teaching, American University "From Sea to Shining Sea reveals a hidden story that strikes to the heart of what America is and, unexpectedly, to questions of what our country does. This short but poignant film resonates in today's world of tragic cultural turbulence by pointing out the power of both literary and political engagement. And, most explicitly, we see here the often underrated importance of beauty - yes, pure, undeniable beauty - in the impending fate of our nation and our planet. It's an eloquent reminder of what it really means to be an American." Tim Palmer, Author, The Heart of America: Our Landscape, Our Future "As divided as Americans are today, it seems ironic that when America the Beautiful is sung, everyone is drawn to its deeply emotional message...But as we know, beautiful poetry often carries a gut punch. Bates wove the extremes of wealth and poverty and war and peace into lines that challenge us to mend our 'every flaw'. This moving, visually and musically appealing film offers context to the content of America the Beautiful, inviting us all to embrace its message with greater passion!" Kathy O'Keefe, Professor Emerita of Leisure Studies, University of South Alabama "Compelling...Illuminating...From Sea to Shining Sea is a home run to dead center." Ross Peterson, Professor of History, Utah State University "From Sea to Shining Sea helped me to appreciate the history and meaning behind America the Beautiful. A particularly important idea is Katharine Lee Bates's hope that America would acknowledge its flaws while honoring its most beautiful ideals, pointing toward a positive patriotism...It's a great film with important messages for our times." Anders Hayden, Associate Professor of Political Science, Dalhousie University "From Sea to Shining Sea completely reshaped my understanding of the song so many of us learned back in school. It is a powerful and engaging story about an amazing woman and the country she loved. It is a perfect addition to my introductory courses and is exceptionally timely and relevant. It is a beautiful gift of a film that you will be excited to share with others." Melinda Messineo, Professor of Sociology, Ball State University "I'm so grateful for this film. The song which is part of the fabric of our culture has acquired new depth for me, and new feeling...I hope as many Americans as possible see this film. Then, every time we hear Bates' love song to America, every time we sing it ourselves, we'll remember the history that it refers to and the feelings that Bates poured into its verses." Karin De Weille, Professor Emerita of Literature, John Jay College "From Sea to Shining Sea is superbly crafted for guiding students to find parallels from the past to salient present-day issues. The film empowers young Americans, offering hope, inspiration and a way forward." Maureen Moffitt Wilt, Professor Emerita of Social Work, University of Central Missouri "This film is incredibly moving, and presented a history that American students are not learning. I only wish it could be shown in every US classroom...A real joy to watch." Howard Karger, Professor Emeritus of Social Work, University of Houston, Miami University, and University of Queensland