Kathleen Collins, a trailblazing figure in the film industry, left an indelible mark on cinema despite directing only two feature films. Her remarkable career was marked by numerous firsts, including being the second African American woman to helm a film, and she continued to inspire future generations through her teaching.
Born and raised in Jersey City, Collins was the daughter of an undertaker who later became a school principal, instilling in her a strong sense of discipline and responsibility. Her college years at Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, New York, coincided with the early 1960s activism, during which she actively participated in the student paper, traveled to Georgia with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC),and was briefly arrested. After graduation, she embarked on a journey abroad, exploring Africa as part of the Crossroads program.
While in Africa, Collins met her future husband, and later reunited with him when she pursued her master's degree at the Sorbonne in Paris. It was during this time that her fascination with film began to take shape. Returning to New York in the 1970s, Collins played a pivotal role in establishing the film program at City College and worked as an editor on the popular children's television show Sesame Street.
Tragically, Collins' life was cut short when she succumbed to cancer at a young age, in her early 40s. Despite her untimely passing, her two feature films from the 1980s are being rediscovered by a new generation, ensuring that her legacy and impact on the film industry continue to inspire and influence.
