Just Watch It

Iron Jawed Angels never hit the theatres (it's a made-for-HBO film), but it is most definitely worth your while. It tells the story of Alice Paul (Hilary Swank) and Lucy Burns (Frances O'Connor), their National Women's Party, and the fight for women's suffrage in the U.S. (the amendment finally passed in 1920). Bits and pieces of the story are embellished for drama's sake, but all-in-all the film is an accurate portrayal of the events leading up to the passage of the 19th amendment. Some interesting camera work (the jury's still out on that one) and a contemporary soundtrack (kick-ass) add to the appeal. I first heard about it in my women's history class, but you don't have to be hardcore feminist to enjoy the film (but it doesn't hurt!). I think it's important for every American woman (and man, for that matter) to know how it is that we came by the freedoms we so often take for granted.

That reminds me... I need to go get an absentee ballot.