‘Still Working 9 to 5’ documentary to be shown at College of DuPage

“Still Working 9 to 5” will be shown at the College of DuPage on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the College of DuPage Health Science Center Auditorium 1234.

The comedy “9 to 5,” starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman, and Lily Tomlin, exploded on cinema screens in 1980. The laughs hid a serious message about women in the office and the new documentary, “Still Working 9 to 5,” examines that cultural inflection point and the subsequent evolution of the women’s movement.

It explores the history of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), harassment in the workplace, pay gap, sexism, and discrimination. It weaves “9 to 5” into the fight for women’s equality over the last 40 years by speaking to writers, feminists, and everyday people to explore why workplace inequality is never a laughing matter.

“In 2018, Illinois became the 37th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. It was preceded by Nevada and followed by Virginia as the final three states needed to ratify. The fact that the U.S. Supreme Court has created an all-out attack on women’s rights and bodily autonomy is exactly why we must continue the push to finally ensconce women’s equality into the U.S. Constitution with the 28th Amendment,” said Laura Welch, president of Illinois NOW.

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception and presentation of the Adade Wheeler Woman of the Year Award from the COD Women’s Studies Committee.

The award recognizes residents, workers or volunteers within Community College District 502 who have made significant contributions to the personal and professional advancement of women through education, advocacy, and motivation.

The screening starts at 7 p.m. It will be followed by a panel discussion on the struggle for women’s equality. Panelists include: Nancy Chen, former regional administrator of the Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor; Maureen Hefferin-Ponicki, associate professor of political science, College of DuPage; Mary Jean Cravens, professor of sociology, College of DuPage; and Laura Welch, president, Illinois NOW.

To register for the free event, go to www.eventbrite.com.

For further information, contact Laura R. Welch, president of Illinois NOW, at lwelch1524@gmail.com or (630) 624-4402; or Dr. Julia diLiberti, COD Women’s Studies Committee, at dilibert@cod.edu.