Hollywood Gets it Right

By Liz Gilchrist, Gift Planning Director

October 14, 2005

Scene from North Country "North Country" — a new movie starring Academy Award-winners Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, and Sissy Spacek and directed by Niki Caro ("Whale Rider") — opens on Oct. 21, and NOW is proud to be a partner in a unique collaboration to provide moviegoers with opportunities to take action against sexual harassment and domestic violence.

"North Country" is based on the true story of story of Lois Jenson, the lead plaintiff in the first successful sexual harassment class action lawsuit in the country, which was brought in 1988 against the Eveleth Mines in northern Minnesota. NOW, along with Feminist Majority Foundation and the Family Violence Prevention Fund, are working with one of the movie's producers, Participant Productions, in an action campaign called "Stand Up: A Campaign to End Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence." The campaign allows those who are moved by what they see in the movie to get involved in the issues.

The just-launched campaign website provides resource materials, action items and a community discussion space. In addition, users can download the Employee Pledge and Consumer Pledge we created for NOW's Women-Friendly Workplace Campaign and use them to bring women-friendly workplaces to their own neighborhoods.

NOW has been able to bring "North Country" to 20 campuses nationwide for a special sneak preview in the two weeks before the movie officially opens. College chapters and Campus Action Networks will follow the screenings with a variety of actions on their campuses, ranging from organizing town halls and speak outs on sexual harassment, to taking part in Take Back the Night marches against sexual assault, to starting purple ribbon campaigns against domestic violence.

When you visit the "Stand Up" website, don't miss the blogs, where NOW staffer Shauna Shames will be a regular contributor.

Check out the movie when it opens in your area, visit the "Stand Up" website and get involved in NOW's effort to make every workplace women-friendly.

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