On Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in celebration of Women’s History Month, Actors' Equity Association's Diversity and Inclusion Department broadcast a screening of the documentary film 9to5: The Story of a Movement.
In the 1970s, America’s secretaries took to the streets, fed up with on-the-job abuse. They created a movement called 9to5, which later inspired the Jane Fonda film (and eventual stage musical) and Dolly Parton song of the same name. 9to5: The Story of a Movement is an acclaimed new documentary about the untold story of their fight for dignity and unionization. The screening was followed by a roundtable of Equity women discussing the role theatre artists play in the fight for just labor practices and how Equity members can stand in solidarity with one another and all workers.
Before the film, Wydetta Carter (Central region principal councilor) and Dee Hoty (Eastern regional vice president) introduced the film by sharing personal stories, both as having working mothers and from their own early experiences in the workforce. They both affirmed the importance of “paying it forward” and helping others advance their careers, especially in the theatre.
“Try to find a way to help that person take the next step,” said Carter. “Reflect on your career and your past. And do it for someone else.”
The roundtable after the film featured Bliss Griffin (diversity and inclusion strategist), Hoty, Gail Gabler (Western regional director), Jessica Emmanus (Equity stage manager), Melissa Robinette (national 1st vice president) and Wydetta Carter.
After Griffin introduced the participants, the panelists began sharing their responses to the documentary.
“What struck me especially with this film the demands,” noted Emmanus. “The simple women being promoted, healthcare and simple respect the workplace which started this movement. It is shocking to me now because thinking about these reasonable demands and well this is where it all started.”
Gabler posed a question to the rest of the panel: “How do we have a role as storytellers in lifting up women?”
Hoty and Carter both offered responses with personal stories of being cast as older female characters and not wanting these roles to be a punchline because of their age and gender.
"I think that the way I intersect with the movement - well, when I was an artist I intersected with it - by often saying yeah, ‘I'm not doing that,’” added Griffin. “’I can't let you use my body and talent to tell that story about women, or Black people or whatever it may be.’”
“Diversity and inclusion means more than just the color of someone's skin. It means representation from our entire country and until we get that in our upper leadership -- until people see that it is never really going to look like what it should be.
“So, the struggle is real and I don't mind a struggle.”
Griffin noted how issues of racial division come up in the film, and asked the panel about what the journey through that obstacle has looked like for them.
“For me, it is still happening,” said Carter. “And it is still happening within our union. We are spending, rightfully so, spending a lot of time now really trying to get up to speed with our diversity and our inclusion. We have a ways to go.
“Diversity and inclusion means more than just the color of someone's skin. It means representation from our entire country and until we get that in our upper leadership -- until people see that it is never really going to look like what it should be.
“So, the struggle is real and I don't mind a struggle.”
Gabler noted that the labor movement is often associated with “hard hat” labor, when it encompasses everyone from office to farm to theatre workers.
Emmanus and Griffin both responded with thoughts about intersectionality as a framework of solidarity to unite all women, and all workers. Carter and Hoty noted the importance of looking out for others on a job.
“It's not just about you,” averred Carter. “Especially in the world of theatre. Everyone that is in that room with you is there for a reason. But not everyone has the most outgoing or can speak up for everything they want and need.”
The roundtable concluded with each panelist sharing what union legacy they take pride in, and what they want theirs to be. Each shared a story of family pride, and growth the labor movement has offered them, and offered a hope for the future, from the cessation of harassment in the theatre industry to a more diverse Equity council.
“How do we lead by example?,” asked Gabler, in conclusion. “How do we recognize the person may be softer spoken and lift them up?”
Equity members can watch the panel discussion of this event in the member portal, as well as learn how to access the full documentary.
