Women of '69, Unboxed

Gr 9 Up—For many young women entering college in the 1960s, it was a time of dorm mothers and dress codes and enrolling for their Mrs. degree. In this documentary, a group of barrier-challenging Skidmore College women, each now 65 years old, are interviewed about their experiences. For the most part, they came from relatively well-off two-parent homes, where Dad was the head of the family and Mom was the heart. These women, however, took an active part in the cultural awakening across society, seeking integration, equal rights, and a piece of the power structure in the professional realm. Even as they celebrate their career successes, there is occasional wistful talk of a family never realized and the impossibility of having it all. Director Peter Barton uses many black-and-white photos from a "YearBox" put together in 1969. These photos are intercut with present-day interviews with many of the well-spoken women, who are successful on many levels. With its timely topic, this program could spark discussion on how life for college-educated women (and society in general) has changed since 1969.