Women in Politics: A Vermont Story

About the Film:

Despite Vermont’s progressive reputation, the reality for women in politics remains deeply unequal, and the film will connect how impediments in our rural state are reflected in the common themes facing aspiring female politicians nationwide. As a nonpartisan story, the documentary will follow the personal journeys of women from a wide variety of backgrounds running for different levels of  public office in Vermont. Following the success of Well Told Films’ Gone Guys bringing communities together in conversation, Women in Politics: A Vermont Story is being developed with that same focus of engaging the public around vital issues of civic health. 

Approach:

This documentary film will acknowledge successes in gender representation but look unflinchingly to the work still to be done, and connect how impediments in our rural state are reflected in the common themes facing aspiring female politicians nationwide.  Viewers will meet women from a wide variety of backgrounds, liberal and conservative, affluent and working class, multi-generation Vermonters and naturalized citizens, running for offices varying from local selectboard to lieutenant governor.  Framing their stories, scholars and policymakers will guide viewers through the history and structure of our government and consider how this legacy lays the foundation for many of today’s systemic impediments.