League of Women Voters celebrating centennial of 19th Amendment with movie showing

MONTE VISTA-The San Luis Valley League of Women Voters (SLV LWV) will be hosting the movie “Iron Jawed Angels” at the Star Drive In, at the Movie Manor in Monte Vista (2830 Hwy 160 West), Screen Two, this Friday, August 28.

This event is being conducted to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, celebrating 100 years of women having the right to vote. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization whose national mission is “Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy” and whose vision is “a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.” The national league was founded in 1920, the Colorado league was founded in 1928 and the San Luis Valley chapter was started in 2018.

According to HBO’s synopsis of the movie Iron Jawed Angels, “Katja von Garnier's "Iron Jawed Angels" tells the remarkable and little-known story of a group of passionate and dynamic young women, led by Alice Paul (Hilary Swank) and her friend Lucy Burns (Frances O'Connor), who put their lives on the line to fight for American women's right to vote.

Swank and O'Connor head an outstanding female ensemble, with Julia Ormond, Molly Parker, Laura Fraser, Brooke Smith and Vera Farmiga as a rebel band of young women seeking their seat at the table; and such cinematic icons as Lois Smith, Margo Martindale, and Anjelica Huston as the steely older generation of suffragettes.

This true story has startling parallels to today, as the young activists struggle with issues such as the challenges of protesting a popular President during wartime and the perennial balancing act between love and career. Utilizing a pulsing soundtrack, vivid colors, and a freewheeling camera, Katja von Garnier's ("bandits") driving filmmaking style shakes up the preconceptions of the period film and gives history a vibrant contemporary energy and relevance.”

The film was originally released for HBO so it is not rated as typical theatrical releases, but suggested ratings from viewers place it at a PG-13 equivalent for brief nudity and language.  

SLV LWV will start a caravan at Ski-Hi Park in Monte Vista (2389 Sherman Ave.) at approximately 7:15p.m. to decorate cars and distributing purple, white and gold sashes (the original colors of the suffragists). The caravan will drive to the Star Drive In at about 7:30p.m. lead by local female law enforcement officers, including the first female MVPD officer in several years. Everyone is welcome to join the caravan, stand on First Ave. in Monte Vista to show solidarity or just join us for the movie, which will start at sundown. The cost for entry is $6 per person, which will go to the SLV LWV chapter. For more information contact Laura at (719)849-3098.