Jennifer Abod facts for kids
Jennifer Abod, born in 1946, is an American who has worked as a musician, journalist, and filmmaker. She is also known for her work as a women's rights activist.
Contents
Education and Early Life
Jennifer Abod has a sister named Susan Abod, who is also a women's rights activist. Jennifer earned her first college degree, a Bachelor of Science, from Southern Illinois University. She then received her Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University. Later, she earned her Ph.D. in Intercultural Media Education from Union Institute and University.
Working for Women's Rights
Jennifer Abod was a co-founder and singer for the New Haven Women's Liberation Rock Band. The band was called Papa Don't Lay that ... on Me and was active from 1970 to 1976. This band was very focused on political messages. They even performed once in front of the White House during a march for women's liberation. They also played at Niantic State Prison, where Erica Huggins was held. The group also recorded music with the Chicago Women's Liberation Rock Band. A writer named Naomi Weisstein described Jennifer's voice as "a deep blue voice she could have taken to Hollywood."
In 1972, a magazine called Ms. published an article titled "Feminist Rock: No More Balls and Chains." Jennifer Abod helped write this article along with Virginia Blaisdell and Naomi Weisstein. In 1970, she also helped write "The Liberation of Lydia," which was the first radio soap opera focused on women's rights.
Jennifer worked as a radio broadcaster for 19 years. She was the first woman in Connecticut to host a nightly talk radio show. Her program, "The Jennifer Abod Show," was on the air from 1977 to 1980. In 1985, Abod became involved with the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (WIFP). This organization works to increase the role of women in media.
Abod also helped start an organization called Women's Health Advocates. With Esta Soler and Laura Ponsor Sporazzi, she interviewed women in drug treatment programs. This project looked at how women were treated in these facilities. Their findings were published in a report called "The ABC's of Drug Treatment for Women" in 1976.
In 1988, Jennifer Abod started her own company, Profile Productions. This company creates and shares media about women's rights activists and artists. Her first documentary film was released in 2002. It was called "The Edge of Each Other's Battles: The Vision of Audre Lorde."
Jennifer Abod's personal collection of work and papers is kept at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College.
Films by Jennifer Abod
Jennifer Abod has directed several documentary films. These films often highlight the lives and work of important women.
The Edge of Each Other's Battles: The Vision of Audre Lorde (2002)
This film celebrates the ideas and poetry of Audre Lorde. It includes footage from a conference called "I Am Your Sisters." The film also features interviews with scholars Jacqui Alexander and Angela Bowen. It shows a strong passion for lifelong activism.
Look us in the Eye: The Old Women's Project (2007)
This film is about three women: Cynthia Rich, Mannie Garza, and Janice Keaffaber. They founded The Old Women's Project. After 10 years of working together for political causes, they decided to focus on fighting against ageism. The film shows how they work to challenge the negative ways older women are often seen.
The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen (2016)
This film tells the story of Angela Bowen, a Black girl growing up in Boston during the time of Jim Crow laws. While running a dance school, she makes a discovery that leads her to want a different life. She moves to a new city to find her true self. The film explores how challenges related to race, social class, gender, age, and identity influenced her choices.
Nice Chinese Girls Don't: Kitty Tsui (2017)
This film focuses on the life of Kitty Tsui. She is a Chinese American artist, activist, writer, poet, and bodybuilder. The film looks at her life as an immigrant during the anti-Vietnam war protests in the 1970s and her life today.
See also
- List of female film and television directors
- List of LGBT-related films directed by women
