NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Marjorie Spruill, a Vanderbilt expert on the
woman suffrage movement, served as a historical consultant for the HBO
film Iron Jawed Angels and will be available for interviews at
tonight’s 6 p.m. screening at the Opry Mills Regal Cinema.
The film depicts the growing tension that marked the woman suffrage
movement starting around 1912 between the younger, more militant
activists and the older leaders of the National American Women Suffrage
Association. Hilary Swank stars as the charismatic Alice Paul, while
Francis O’Connor plays the young activist Lucy Burns. Angelica Huston
stars as Carrie Chapman Catt, the older and more experienced president
of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.
Spruill first was asked by the filmmakers to read the script for
historical accuracy. Later she viewed a "rough cut" of the film and
provided feedback. She also attended the national premiere in
Washington, D.C.
"The film does an excellent job of conveying the drama and
excitement of this pivotal time in American history," Spruill said.
"Many people today do not realize that these suffragists were only
silently picketing the White House, yet they were attacked by mobs and
sentenced to jail for 60 days for blocking traffic." Spruill noted that
Paul led the group on a hunger strike and created a public uproar,
eventually forcing the Wilson administration to deal with the more
moderate suffragists led by Catt.
Spruill is the author of New Women of the New South: The Leaders of
the Woman Suffrage Movement in the Southern States. She has edited
several books including VOTES FOR WOMEN! The Woman Suffrage Movement in
Tennessee, the South and the Nation.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for tonight’s local premiere of Iron
Jawed Angels at Opry Mills Regal Cinema. Seating is limited and on a
first come, first served basis. Sponsors include Vandervotes,
Vanderbilt Women’s Studies and Vandy Fems. HBO has joined with Rock the
Vote and Youth Vote Coalition to highlight the importance of exercising
the right to vote and will provide voter registration material to those
at tonight’s screening. The film premieres on HBO Feb. 15 at 8:30 p.m.
CST.
Media contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, (615) 322-NEWS
Annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu