‘I Am Somebody’ Film Screening to Address Labor and Civil Rights

I Am Somebody movie poster

A screening and discussion of the 1970 Madeline Anderson Film “I Am Somebody” will be held at noon on Thursday, Nov. 7 at Old Chapel in the Great Hall. Lunch will be provided for attendees and RSVP is requested.

Newly preserved by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, “I Am Somebody” documents the story of black female hospital workers in Charleston, South Carolina who went on strike in 1969 for union recognition and a wage increase, only to find themselves in a confrontation with the state government and the National Guard.

The screening will be followed by framing comments and interactive, small group discussions led by Cedric De Leon, director of the UMass Labor Center and Pat Greenfield, retired professor at the Isenberg School of Management and former director of the UMass Labor Center.
This community event seeks to generate dialogue on gender equity and how it connects, historically and contemporarily, to human rights and the rights of workers. 

This event is part of the Building Bridges public art and engagement initiative which is supported by the Office of Equity and Inclusion, The Partnership for Worker Education and Civic Engagement and Service-Learning.