ERA Coalition Forward and Still Working 9 to 5, LLC, are organizing a historic evening to honor Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Dolly Parton with the Women’s Equality Trailblazer Awards on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center, Renberg Theatre in Los Angeles. As part of the event, organizers will be screening the award-winning documentary Still Working 9 to 5. This is a unique opportunity to interact with Trailblazers Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, who will be attending in person. Guests will also enjoy a VIP reception with the honorees and other special guests.
The event will also kick off the ERA Coalition’s West Coast convening at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Zakiya Thomas, president and CEO of the ERA Coalition, said in a statement, “As we come together under the stars of Hollywood, we are reminded of the work ahead to ensure that constitutional sex equality is finally a reality for us all.”
Directed by Camille Hardman and Gary Lane, Still Working 9 to 5 is a powerful documentary that delves into the making of the movie, 9 to 5. It explores why this project was considered risky 45 years ago, and how it continues to resonate today, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women’s equality in the workplace. The documentary’s impact is evident in its three awards at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, as well as its recognition at the Impact Docs Awards, Nashville Film Festival, Atlantic Film Festival, and American Documentary Film Festival.
Deadline.com reports, “The filmmakers are planning a social impact campaign to advance women’s equality leading up to a release in the fall,” according to a release. “This entertaining but groundbreaking film not only serves as a catalyst for dialogue on women in the workplace but also underscores the urgency of ratifying the ERA to ensure equality for all.”
The star-studded cast in the documentary includes Jan Fonda, Lilly Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Dabney Coleman from the original 9 to 5, along with Rita Moreno, who played Violet Newstead (Lily’s character) in the TV adaptation., and Allison Janney, who played Violet in the Broadway production 9 to 5: The Musical.
The Hollywood premiere of Still Working 9 to 5 will serve as a fundraiser for the ERA Coalition, a group comprised of 300 member organizations that advocate for gender, racial, economic, and reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and more across the country. The Coalition says, “We bring together interconnected, intergenerational, and intersectional organizations under one banner: to advance sex equality. This is what unites us all.”
Zakiya further added, “This premiere not only celebrates the enduring legacy of 9 to 5 but also underscores the urgency of [passing] the Equal Rights Amendment to ensure sex equality for all.”
To learn more about the ERA Coalition’s important work, listen to or watch the podcast interview with Zakiya on “Smart Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy.” To support the ERA Coalition and attend the premiere, click here.