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SEIU 925 and Meaningful Movies Project Collaboration – By Natalie Jude Johnson

by Anne Miller February 11, 2021 0

“9 to 5: The Story of a Movement” is a powerful documentary that takes a close look at workplace inequality. With a title that hearkens back to “9 to 5”, a comedic film and classic song, one might expect another film full of laughs. Instead, this movie takes on a more serious tone as it explores the truth of gender inequality in the workplace over the last forty years. The Meaningful Movies Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to social justice documentaries followed by facilitated discussions, held a screening and community conversation about “9 to 5: The Story of A Movement” in late January. The discussion time included a handful of women who were featured in the movie, and many others who faced discrimination in the 60s, and continue to confront inequality today. Some of the wonderful people who joined the webinar included Karen Hart (President of SEIU 925), Mary Curry, Alice Lazzar-Atwood and Hana Thier from DiscoTech. Participants in the discussion time included Adair Damman, Carol Harris, Lisa Beaulaurier, and Shirley McElroy Ray and many other women leaders. All took the time to open up about their experiences as working women during the second-wave of feminism. In discussing their own beliefs, both past and present, about the realities and assumptions about feminism, these women provided both those who had experienced similar struggles a space to reflect; and those (from younger generations) who have lived only in a world far more equal, albeit not perfect, the ability to recognize not only the luck of having been born in a more accepting era but also the massive efforts made to get to this place as a society. This sort of thoughtful conversation is not uncommon in the Meaningful Movies community. There are volunteer- run branches throughout the state of Washington (and beyond) that set up screenings and discussion events, all free and open to the public with the intentions of promoting peace and justice in the local and global community. This particular screening was also made possible, in part, by the support of the Independent Lens Program and ITVS. If you’re interested in joining one of the conversations, or if you might like to start your own Meaningful Movies group, head to the Meaningful Movies Project website at meaningfulmovies.org.