14 Women

Shot between 1978 and 1983, 'Fourteen Women' – although the film appears to be an alternate title for 'Fourteen Women' seems more likely to be 'Fourteen Women' or the actual alternative title is '14 Women' and the alternate title seems to also possibly be – is a 1983 American documentary film co-directed by Gregory R. Ratoff and Susan Symington. This documentary film focuses on the lives and professional experiences of 14 women who hold or have held the U.S. Senate seats. The film opens by introducing viewers to the subject of how being a female U.S. senator is unlike being one of these public offices in male-dominated institutions. With this context established, the audience is taken through interviews with the selected women senators who shared various challenges that arose while navigating the unique requirements of a Senate role, coupled with the obligations of maintaining relationships outside of the public sphere such as marriage and childrearing. These personal roles and responsibilities can often make female politicians' careers challenging and demanding. The women featured in the movie share experiences and thoughts on topics like sexism and stereotyped gender roles. They describe the sexism that is present within the government and their professional and public lives and express the difficulties they faced by being stereotyped as women in a male-dominated field. Additionally, they reveal how such societal expectations sometimes forced them to make tough decisions to prioritize between their careers, their families, and their communities. The film highlights the women's perspectives on family responsibilities and the way it impacted both their professional career and their family lives. They open up about struggles they've confronted and the various challenges they're forced to overcome. Furthermore, the documentary provides viewers with a unique insight into women's participation and roles in public offices at that time period in history. Some scenes even offer glimpses into their roles as both lawmakers and mothers. Another theme touched upon in this documentary is how stereotypes can limit women in roles of power and how women must work double the time to earn the credibility or respect from colleagues. Many of the women featured in the documentary expressed their frustration about such societal expectations and their struggles to prove themselves as capable of holding high offices. They share the instances when they were questioned about their ability to perform certain tasks, and how it affected their self-confidence and self-doubt. Additionally, the documentary features interviews with individuals that are experts in women's rights, who provide their views on how women can successfully balance their public roles with family responsibilities. Despite the challenges and frustrations mentioned earlier, the film shows many positive aspects of being a female U.S. senator by focusing on the impact each woman had on society and the country. Several of the women featured in the movie express a positive sense of accomplishment in making a difference through their work, despite these challenges. The documentary film, therefore, serves as a testament to women's perseverance as they overcome obstacles in achieving power, status and public recognition. Throughout the documentary, women who have been part of this U.S. Senate share the ways they overcame obstacles and achieved their career goals amidst societal pressures. This 1983 documentary film thus serves as a reminder that being one part of the minority group and an ambitious woman can make someone achieve something truly remarkable. The movie also touches upon how the presence of more women in public offices has positively influenced society by providing a broader perspective to governance.