Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Carole Mikita ReportingHundreds of Utah women will be gathering this evening for a special screening of a film about winning the right to vote.
The film titled "Iron Jawed Angels" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. This is Women's Suffrage Month; tonight's special screening is sponsored by, among others, the League of Women Voters, to remind us all how we came by this privilege.
Hillary Swank plays suffragist Alice Paul, who in her 20s joined other women and took on the establishment. The film's producers hope this story speaks to yet another generation of young women poised not only to vote, but also to realize their dreams.
Robin Forman, Exec. Producer: "If you believe in something, if you are passionate about something, if you are willing to sacrifice for something that you believe in, you can make a difference in the world."
Getting the vote turned into a physical struggle. The title 'Iron Jawed Angels' came when the women picketed the White House, a first. They were arrested and refused food in prison.
Utah women were among those leading the charge for the vote. Sarah Kimball, Emily Richards and Emmeline Wells, among others. They joined the more famous Susan B. Anthony early on and it was the Western territories that were the first to grant that vote.
84-years later they are remembered. In honor of those women who put their names, reputations, in some cases their lives on the line for the right to vote, dozens of Utah women today gathered for what they called a Code Pink Afternoon Tea.
"Iron Jawed Angels" will be shown tonight at 7 p.m. at the Trolley Corners Theatre. It is free, open to the public and there is a Q & A afterwards.
