Diversity Film Series: Education/Sports for Girls

The Appreciating Diversity Film Series is reopening IN PERSON with 2 shorts celebrating women's equality. "Mink!" and "Almost Famous: Queen of Basketball" were directed by Ben Proudfoot, who won the Oscar for best documentary short in 2022 for Queen of Basketball.

In 1972, Title IX changed collegiate and high school women's sports forever. It states:
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

"Mink!" focuses on Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color elected to Congress, who faces racial and gender discrimination at every stage of her career. Director Proudfoot recounts learning about the history of Title IX, and the formidable campaign to dilute or erode the law. The film portrays Mink's compelling fight to save the crucial language, and how it almost lost for lack of a single vote - her own.

"Almost Famous: Queen of Basketball" is a similarly inspiring short film, about a remarkable athlete who came of age just after Title IX was passed. Lucy Harris was arguably the greatest women's basketball player: she won three national trophies; she played in the '76 Olympics; and she was drafted to the NBA. None of that would have happened without Title IX. But have you ever heard of her? Her story is told in her own endearing words. Almost Famous: The Queen of Basketball was executive produced by Steph Curry and Shaquille O'Neal.

Following the films, Chelle Putzer and Eva Phalen, from Piedmont's Recreation Department, will speak about their personal experiences, their efforts to bring equality to girls' sports, and the effect of Title IX on women's sports today. As ever, the screening and discussion are FREE.

Masks will be required
Refreshments will be provided served at 6:30 pm before the film showings.

Free, no RSVP needed.