Feminists: What Were They Thinking?

Released in 2018, 'Feminists: What Were They Thinking?' is a documentary film that serves as a nostalgic and incisive exploration of the pivotal feminist movement of the 1970s, as photographed by 24-year-old photographer Joanne Gignilliat Codling Lambdin, aka Joanna, or more commonly, "Joanne's women." The project was originally conceived as a book of photographs, "What Were They Thinking?", in which Joanne captured a group of young women from the middle class and those struggling with poverty, all living through the social unrest and transformative era of the late 1970s. As seen in the film, the women captured in the original photographs and stories are presented not merely as images on a page but as real individuals with their own narratives. These women - ranging from working-class women fighting for rights in the labor world to those in middle-class households pushing the boundaries of societal norms - serve as beacons of an era in transition. This documentary, therefore, takes viewers through the highs and lows of women seeking to redefine their roles within family and society, to challenge existing power structures and question the societal status quo. Joanne's photographs were born out of her interactions with these women, capturing unguarded moments of laughter, tears, and everyday resilience. Through these photographs and stories shared in the documentary, the film masterfully humanizes an era often reduced to platitudes of 'the 70s' and delves into the experiences that these women, though often taken for granted in the broader narrative, underwent in a rapidly changing world. The documentary takes the viewer through the struggles faced by women at that time. From issues of reproductive rights to the fight for economic independence, the 1970s were an age of great turmoil. The film highlights how Joanne's photographs capture not just these pivotal moments but the individual struggles - the tears of the marginalized, the exhaustion of activists and the laughter of women finding solidarity among themselves, and the quiet moments of introspection that reveal a nation in transition. At the same time, 'Feminists: What Were They Thinking?' serves as an urgent call to action by drawing clear parallels between the progress achieved during the 1970s feminist movement and the challenges faced by contemporary women. It critiques the societal norms that continue to oppress women today. By juxtaposing the struggles faced by women in the 1970s with the ongoing problems faced by modern women, the documentary sheds light on how far we are, or are not, from true equal rights and justice. This thought-provoking documentary also shines a light on women of different socioeconomic status, highlighting that the struggle for change was not isolated to one particular stratum of society. By examining the stories of both middle-class and underprivileged women, the filmmakers emphasize that women's rights movements are not limited to one particular demographic but span across all segments of society. In a poignant twist, the filmmakers bring the original women from the 1970s into contemporary conversations about women's rights and feminism. The interviews reveal how much and how little has changed. They highlight the continued fight for women's independence, reproductive rights, and equality. The women's resilience, passion, and unwavering dedication in the face of opposition are the heart of the documentary. As viewers are invited to reflect on the parallels between the past and the present, the film offers a vision for what equality will look like, not just for the future but for an already complex present that continues to struggle with social justice issues such as racial inequality, LGBTQ+ rights, and intersectional feminism. In the end, 'Feminists: What Were They Thinking?' becomes a testament to a generation's unyielding pursuit of freedom and equality. It serves as a reminder that feminism is about the ongoing struggle for change, the unending quest for humanity and equality, and the unyielding power of women to shape our world. Through poignant storytelling and the enduring power of Joanne Lambdin's photographs, the film reminds its viewers of the vital work that women continue to accomplish even in today's tumultuous world.