Feminist Files

EP 7: The Ordeal of 1973

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Episode notes

Pauli Murray, a co-founder of NOW, leaves the movement as well as a tenure track position at Brandeis. It’s a stunning move for someone who’s fought their entire lives to reach the pinnacle of their profession. Why? 

In the Schlesinger Collection, Leigh discovers a torn journal and pieces together a narrative that takes us on an emotional roller coaster, following Pauli through a series of losses and struggles, as Pauli packs up the belongings of a life and the dog Roy, and makes a huge life change at age 63.

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Feminist Files is written and produced by Leigh Fondakowski and Sarah Lambert

Featuring the Feminist Files Ensemble:

Jodie Foster as Dr. Bernice “Bunny” Sandler

Samira Wiley as Pauli Murray

Amy Hill as Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink

Mercedes Hererro as Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Edith Green, Alice Paul, Phyllis Schlafly, and ensemble parts

Margo Hall as Commissioner Frankie Freeman and ensemble parts

Chris Rickett as Vincent Macaluso and ensemble parts

Victoria Libertore as Ann Scott

Christina Sajous as Shirley Chisholm

And Alex Grubbs, Jules Latimer, Ronald Peet, RyanNicole in ensemble parts

Associate producers: Margo Hall, Victoria Libertore, and Diana Park

Executive producers: Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, Avi Glijansky, and Rora Brodwin

Original Music and Sound Design by: Gary Grundei

Theme music created by: Gary Grundei with vocals by Silversmith

Sound Engineering by: Julian Kwasneski

Additional Engineering by: Donovan Dorrance

Special Thanks to: Wendy Mink, Julia Lamber, Jean Robinson, The Scheslinger Library and its staff, Shari Hoffman, Charlotte Sheedy, and the estate of Pauli Murray.

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