Film - A Single Woman: The Story of Jeannette Rankin

A Single Woman: The Story of Jeannette Rankin

A Single Woman is the story of the first U.S. Congresswoman, the cofounder of the American Civil Liberties Union, and a lifelong pacifist, Jeannette Rankin. Rankin’s humble beginnings in Montana during the era of the Indian Wars awakened her deeply pacifist nature. She ran for Congress in 1916 and won, against all odds. The subject of her first vote -- against President Wilson’s WWI war resolution -- set the stage for her destiny. Most of the Suffragists who had supported her campaign turned against her, believing that her anti-war vote made women look weak and hurt the movement.

In 1940, Jeannette was re-elected as Congresswoman from Montana on a peace platform and once again voted against a world war, this time as the lone anti-war voice in the U.S. Legislature. She was mobbed and vilified, and spent the rest of her life traveling to India and studying the teachings and methods of Mohandas Gandhi and the effects of colonialism on peoples all over the world.

Written by and starring Jeanmarie Simpson as Jeanette Rankin ~ Narrated by Martin Sheen and Judd Nelson ~ Featuring the music of Joni Mitchell

Refreshments will be served. Discussion to follow the film.

Free ~ Donations will be requested. Proudly presented by: Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - Peninsula Branch, American Civil Liberties Union - Mid-Peninsula Chapter, The Humanist Community in Silicon Valley, and Action Council of Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto.