Documentary Film Screening, “Still Working 9 To 5,” May 5 at Southern Miss

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 09:27am | By: Dena Temple

The School of Leadership at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will screen the award-winning documentary, “Still Working 9 To 5,” on May 5 at the Fleming Education Center auditorium on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. The public is welcome and admission is free, but reservations are necessary.

Still Working 9 to 5 explores the barriers to success for women in the workforce and society, and the progress that has not yet been made since the release of the original blockbuster comedy, 9 to 5. The 1980 film followed three office workers (played by Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton) as they struggled for basic workplace equality. The new documentary includes commentary from the original stars and cast members Dabney Coleman, Rita Moreno and Alison Janney alongside advocates and leaders of prominent women’s rights organizations.

“We’re proud to host the first screening of this documentary film at an educational institution,” said Dr. Heather Annulis, director of the School of Leadership. “I remember watching the original 9 to 5 movie as a young girl. It made a big impact on me.

“Women have made great strides in the employment market over the last 40 years,” she continued. “There’s more we can do as a society, and awareness is the first step. This documentary brings to light that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key components to creating workplace cultures where all employees have opportunities to do their best work and enable organizations to thrive.”

Bhagyashree Barhate, Ph.D., is the recipient of a recent grant related to women in the workplace. She stated, “At the School of Leadership, we strive to advance research related to women in leadership. The screening of this documentary film will provide us with a platform to communicate the importance of understanding systemic and contextual challenges still faced by women in the workplace.”

Dr. Barhate continued, “For instance, most of our female Ph.D. students in the Human Capital Development program at Coastal USM are employed and have family responsibilities. We plan to use our most recent grant to provide networking, mentoring, and coaching to interested female Ph.D. students. Through this research we will explore how these experiences help women overcome challenges and determine impacts to their degree attainment.”

Refreshments will be provided at 5:30 pm, and the event will begin at 6:00 pm with a welcome from the School of Leadership and the school’s 2023 graduate student awards. A recorded welcome from the documentary’s Australian producer/director, Camille Hardman, will precede the film. While admission is free, space is limited and reservations are strongly suggested. Follow this link for tickets.

For further information, email Dena Temple, event coordinator, at (228) 214-3447.

About The School of Leadership

The School of Leadership is housed within the College of Business and Economic Development at The University of Southern Mississippi and operates on the Coastal USM campus in Long Beach, Mississippi. Its undergraduate degree programs include Accounting, Applied Technology, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology (Logistics), Management, and Marketing. Graduate programs include Human Capital Development, Human Capital Development (Instructional Technology and Design), Instructional Technology and Design, and Logistics, Trade and Transportation. To learn more about these degree programs, visit the School of Leadership website.