Filmmaker Jennifer Lee narrates this documentary that tells stories “not well known” concerning the beginnings of the “second wave” of American feminism—from 1963 through 1970. Suggesting that the movement is a living thing whose roots have been forgotten, Lee works to create an oral history, asking questions that defy simple answers: Is it good to be called a feminist? What was life like before the women's liberation movement? After explaining how dramatically American women's employment opportunities and autonomy were affected during World War II and afterward, Lee covers two landmark 1963 publications—a presidential commission report titled American Women and Betty Friedan's book The Feminine Mystique—outlining their positions regarding female roles in society. Lee also examines the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee's activities and the Civil Rights movement in the summer of 1964, racism and classism within the women's movement, and the struggle to get the newly created U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to recognize sex discrimination. Early members of the National Organization for Women (NOW) talk about concerns that NOW would be seen as a lesbian enterprise. Interviewees include Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Vivian Rothstein, Frances M. Beal, and others, while archival footage capturing landmark events and historic images bring context to their remarks. Lee closes with comments about how important it is to keep feminist stories a lively part of our national discourse. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)
Feminist Stories From Women's Liberation
(2013) 64 min. DVD: $89: public libraries; $350: colleges & universities. Women Make Movies (<a href="http://www.wmm.com/">www.wmm.com</a>). <span class=GramE>PPR. January 12, 2015
Feminist Stories From Women's Liberation
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