UUSD presents film on feminist movement
Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware hosted a screening, March 2, of the documentary “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry,” which portrays unknown women who participated in the feminist movement in the late ‘60s.
The film’s director and producer, Mary Dore, financed herself for 14 years to produce the film because so little money goes into producing and preserving women's history. Dore shows local organizers who took feminism into communities across America, which is how the movement took hold.
Veteran Feminists of America board member Mary Jean Collins was involved in the feminist movement in the ’70s. She was regional director of National Organization for Women in 1970. Armed with a budget of $100, she formed chapters in 13 midwestern states. In the film she states: “As soon as NOW existed and I heard about it, I was in NOW.” In the film she talked about recruiting women for the cause in the days before the internet.
“The original work that was done is magnificent and important, because it made it possible for women all over the country to be involved. The reverberations of our work goes on today. It never occurred to us that we wouldn't succeed. I hope we have another wave coming up now,” Collins said.
When asked what advice she has for those organizing movements now, she said “Nobody can tell me you can’t change the world, because I saw it happen. I was a small participant in making it happen. It’s a fact of our democracy.”
VFA is working to preserve the legacy of the movement. VFA is compiling an oral history to honor, record and preserve the history of the accomplishments of women and men active in the ’60s-’70s feminist movement. Activists from 1966 to 1982 who have a story to tell. They can interview on their cellphone or over the phone, alone or with a friend, to be compiled and shared on VFA.us. Email MaryJeanDC@gmail.com.
