National NOW Times >> Winter 05-06 >> Article

Movie Portrays Historic Fight Against Sexual Harassment

By Liz Gilchrist, Gift Planning Director

"What are you supposed to do when those with power are hurting those with none? For starters, you stand up and tell the truth. You stand up for your friends. You stand up. Even if it tears you down. You stand up."

When "North Country," the critically-acclaimed movie starring Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand and Sissy Spacek, opened in theatres around the country on Oct. 21, audiences cheered when Woody Harrelson delivered this speech. It was a strong, clear and somewhat unusual message for a Hollywood movie: that it is everyone's obligation, women and men alike, to take a stand against sexual harassment.

NOW is cheering too, as "North Country" is reaching a whole new generation of moviegoers with a powerful and realistic portrayal of sexual harassment and violence against women. And thanks to a unique partnership NOW has forged with the producers, the movie will also give women something to do about those issues in their own communities.

"North Country" was inspired by the true 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. Directed by Niki Caro ("Whale Rider"), one of just a handful of major women directors working in Hollywood, the movie is packed with top acting talent and is being touted by many critics as a sure Oscar nominee.

But making a good and profitable movie was just not enough for one of its producers. Participant Productions, headed by eBay cofounder and philanthropist Jeff Skoll, wanted to make a movie that was socially relevant as well as commercially viable.

To accomplish that goal, Participant Productions teamed up with NOW, Feminist Majority Foundation and the Family Violence Prevention Fund to put together an action campaign called "Stand Up: A campaign to stop sexual harassment and domestic violence."

The campaign Web site (http://www.participate.net/standup) provides resource materials, action items and a community discussion space. In addition, users can download the Employee Pledge and Consumer Pledge — created by NOW's Women-Friendly Workplace Campaign — and use them to bring women-friendly workplaces to their own neighborhoods. Site visitors can also share their personal experiences in the campaign blog, where NOW staffer Shauna Shames is a regular contributor (http://www.participate.net/user/shaunashames).

NOW was able to bring "North Country" to 20 campuses nationwide for a special sneak preview before the movie's opening. College chapters and Campus Action Networks followed the screenings with a variety of actions on their campuses, ranging from town halls and speak outs on sexual harassment to Take Back the Night marches against sexual assault, to purple-ribbon campaigns against domestic violence.

Go see "North Country." You won't regret the experience. It will be available on DVD in January 2006, including an "extra" mini-documentary about the lawsuit that inspired the movie, featuring our own NOW President Kim Gandy!