Ep 7. 9to5: The Story Of A Movement

In season 22, episode 7 of Independent Lens, viewers are taken on a historical journey through the feminist movement of the 1970s with the documentary film "9to5: The Story Of A Movement." This inspiring and empowering film chronicles the birth of the organization 9to5, which began as a group of frustrated secretaries who were tired of being mistreated and underpaid in their jobs.

Through archival footage and interviews with key figures, "9to5: The Story Of A Movement" shows how the women's movement of the 1970s helped to lay the groundwork for the fight for equal rights in the workplace. The film highlights the struggles that women faced at that time, including discrimination based on gender, race, and class.

Throughout the documentary, viewers follow the journey of Karen Nussbaum, a young woman who worked as a secretary in Boston and eventually became a leader in the 9to5 movement. Nussbaum's personal story helps to anchor the film, allowing viewers to see the impact that the feminist movement had on individual women.

One of the most fascinating aspects of "9to5: The Story Of A Movement" is the way that the film connects the struggles of 1970s secretaries to the challenges that women continue to face in the workplace today. The film argues that the feminist movement of the 1970s was not just a historical moment but a ongoing struggle for equality that is just as relevant now as it was then.

Overall, "9to5: The Story Of A Movement" is an engaging and informative documentary that sheds light on one of the most important social movements of the 20th century. Viewers will be inspired by the bravery and determination of the women who fought for their rights in the workplace, and they will come away with a renewed sense of the ongoing struggle for gender equality.