I Am Somebody

A Film by Madeline Anderson

In 1969, 400 poorly paid black women -- hospital workers in Charleston, South Carolina -- went on strike to demand union recognition and a wage increase, only to find themselves in a confrontation with the National Guard and the state government.

Supported by such notables as Andrew Young, Charles Abernathy, and Coretta Scott King, the women nonetheless conducted a strike under the guidance of District 1199, the New York based union, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

A testament to the courage of these women who would not be humbled, the now classic I AM SOMEBODY is both an inspiring film and an important historical record.

First Run/Icarus Films is proud to re-release this landmark civil rights documentary with a new digibeta videomaster that has been digitally restored with enhanced audio and video.

"An excellent film for courses which touch on women's work, American society, and issues of class, race, and ethnicity."—American Anthropologist

"This film packs a tremendous punch and is deeply moving at the same time. The fact that 400 black women were able to take on the power structure of the state of South Carolina and win is of decisive importance to all of us."—Fannie Lou Hamer, Civil Rights Leader

30 minutes / color
Copyright Date: 1970
Sale: $225

Subject areas:
African-Americans, American Studies, Civil Rights, Economic Sociology, History (U.S.), Labor Studies, North America, Social Movements, Women's Studies

Related Titles:
Clara Lemlich: The story of the young, Jewish, Ukrainian-born woman who in 1909 sparked the 'Uprising of the 20,000' -- the first massive strike of New York City garment workers.

An Injury To One: Reconstructs the long-forgotten murder of union organizer Frank Little in Butte, Montana, and draws a connection between the unsolved murder of Little, and the attempted murder of the town itself.