The East Side Freedom Library and the IBEW Local 292 Women’s Group, as part of our celebration of Administrative Professionals’ Day, invite you to a screening and discussion of 9to5: The Story of a Movement.

Register here for the Zoom link for this event or watch live on ESFL’s Facebook page.

This new documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, tells the previously-untold story of the national “9to5 movement” and how women created a labor movement that brought lasting change. Before the hit song by Dolly Parton and Hollywood movie, “9to5” was an inspiring grassroots movement for equality that fused the spirit of both the women’s and labor movements. 9to5: The Story of a Movement chronicles the waves of secretaries, starting in Boston, who fought to create impactful changes in their workplaces in the 1970s and 80s. Their ideas spread rapidly, eventually leading to a nationwide movement at the intersection of the women’s movement and the labor movement that changed the American workplace forever.

In the 1970s, secretaries and clerical workers made up the largest sector of the American workforce, with more than 20 million employed. Inspired by the growing Women’s Liberation Movement, secretaries Ellen Cassedy and Karen Nussbaum got mad, got organized and started a group called “9to5.” The group grappled with class and race barriers and deployed humor and wry publicity stunts to shame their bosses into change. Their goals were simple: better pay, job descriptions, respect, advancement opportunities and an end to sexual harassment.

“9to5 tells a story through the words of these workers and the organizers themselves. These women are so inspiring, and as we spoke with them more, we discovered undeniable parallels to the movements happening today,” filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar said in a press release. “We hope this film inspires people and shows how people can build momentum to tip the balance of worker vs. corporate power.”

Women members of IBEW 292 and other building trades unions annually celebrate the women staff of their – and all – unions, who do the behind-the-scenes work that make these unions function. Join us for “Administrative Professionals’ Day,” the screening of this great new film, and what is certain to be a lively conversation.

Let us know you’re attending on Facebook!