In recognition of Black History Month, Chatham Community Library will host a virtual film screening of  Barbara Lee:  Speaking Truth to Power (2020), beginning Thursday, February 10, and continuing through Thursday, February 17. 

Barbara Lee is an intimate and inspiring portrait of Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), a champion of civil rights and a steadfast voice for human rights, peace, and economic and racial justice in the U.S. Congress. In 2001, in the face of extreme backlash, she cast the lone vote in opposition to the broad authorization of military force following the September 11th attacks and issued a strident warning in the House of Representatives, “Let us now become the evil we deplore.”

This feature documentary reveals the many challenges faced by Barbara Lee early in her life, including raising two sons as a single mother on food stamps and surviving domestic violence, which have provided her with the compassion, motivation, and commitment to use her position as an elected representative to improve the lives of her constituents. With unique access to a sitting member of Congress, this film not only introduces audiences to Barbara Lee, but to many others such as Senator Cory Booker, Representative John Lewis, and others who share insights about what makes Barbara Lee unique as a public servant and as a truth-telling Black woman in America.

Film highlights and awards include:

• Audience Award Runner Up, DOC NYC
• Best Documentary, American Film Festival Poland
• Best Director Award, Harlem International Film Festival 2021
• Nominee, Best Documentary, British Urban Film Festival
• San Francisco International Film Festival 2020
• DOC NYC 2020
• Jewish Film Institute’s Cinegogue Summer Days
• Woodstock Film Festival 2020
• Sidewalk Film Festival 2020
• Pan African Film Festival 2021
• Martha Vineyard African American Film Festival 2021
• Sonoma International Film Festival 2021
• Cleveland International Film Festival 2021
• Women + Film Festival 2021
• United Nations Association Film Festival 2021

Access to the virtual screening will be available beginning Thursday, February 10, by clicking HERE .  A password is required at the time of viewing. Please contact social.library@chathamlibraries.org to request the password or for additional information.

This program is free and open to the public.