Film Details

Many have heard the song “Nine to Five” by the great Dolly Parton or seen the 1980 blockbuster of the same name starring Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda. Yet few realize that these two icons of popular culture grew out of a social movement that spanned over 25 years and had a profound impact on women and the American workforce. This illuminating documentary—the latest work in progress by three-time Oscar-nominated Ohio filmmaker Julia Reichert—tells this little-known story. In the early 1970s, a group of female office workers in Boston decided that they had suffered in silence long enough and created an organization to force changes in their workplaces. 9to5 merged with Cleveland Women Working in 1977 and its headquarters were in Cleveland from 1977 to 1993. The movement was a unique convergence of those fighting for both women’s and labor rights, and addressed such still-relevant issues as sexual harassment, pay equity, the “glass ceiling,” and the need for employer-supported family and medical leave. Julia Reichert and co-director Steve Bognar will answer audience questions after the screening. CCleveland premiere. DCP. 85 min.