The Tribune

Producer/Director Marion Bethel presented her newly completed documentary on the women’s suffrage movement in the Bahamas, “Womanish Ways: Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy”, during a closed screening at Government House, Friday.

The 73-minute documentary sheds light on the women who led the movement: Mary Ingraham, Mabel Walker, Eugenia Lockhart, Georgiana Symonette and Dr Doris Johnson, as well as the men and women who supported their efforts. It weaves together a narrative of women’s rights and Bahamian political history with over 40 interviews of men and women who participated in or observed the movement.

The production team included Director Maria Govan, Editor Kareem Mortimer, Researcher Natalie Bethel and Producer’s Assistant/Researcher Gabrielle Misiewicz.

Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin said it was an “insiring and enlightening experience” to participate in the documentary screening. Member of Parliament for Long Island Loretta Butler Turner said her “heart was overwhelmed to view the documentary.”

Public viewings of the film are scheduled for Friday, December 7, at 1:30pm and Saturday, December 8 at 1.15pm during the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF). Admission is $3.

The documentary is dedicated to the heroic struggle of Kate Moss and Mary Prince, two enslaved women who fought for their freedom in the 19th century in the Bahamas. They became symbols of resistance within the anti-slavery abolitionist movement. It is also dedicated to the women of the women’s suffrage movement of the 20th century who continued with the advocacy for freedom,

equality, social justice and democracy in the Bahamas.

For more information visit www.womensuffragebahamas.com , a companion website to the film, which contains rich information about the movement.