Fundraising BU Film Series Aims to Draw Attention to Women’s Issues

“I was only 12-years-old.  At the time he was like what, 29, 30?” said a young woman, describing her start on what was often called “the track”, meaning life as an underage prostitute.  A part of the documentary, “Very Young Girls”, the speaker was among about a dozen girls featured in the film, all of whom had entered into prostitution around the age of thirteen.

In honor of the upcoming International Women’s Day, the documentary was shown last Tuesday night as a part of BU’s Women’s Resource Center’s fundraising film series, “Watch Girls: Change the World” held at BU Central.  The series features several extraordinary women activists and their work with issues including sexual exploitation, poverty, and war.  Donations made at the film screenings will go towards building schools for girls in Haiti through the charity Concern Worldwide.

BU's WRC strives to inspire action with current film series about women's issues and activism. | Photo Courtesy of the WRC

Each showing includes a screening, a discussion led by a BU professor, a raffle, and a free dinner.  Tonight, March 1, the WRC will present “A Powerful Noise” as its third movie of the four film series in BU Central.

“These documentaries remind us of the reality many girls face around the world and also point out that despite our innumerable differences, the simple fact of being a girl, or a young person for that matter, unites us,” said Sasha Goodfriend (CAS ’14), the WRC Activism Coordinator and organizer of the film series, in an e-mail.  “It is my hope that by putting a face and a personality to these situations and stories that girls face around the world BU students will feel a connection to these seemingly foreign and anonymous people and consequently a responsibility to reach out and help them.”

Last Tuesday’s screening was shown at BU Central before about 20 attendees. English and Women’s Studies assistant professor Carrie Preston also led a discussion following the screening of “Very Young Girls”, talking about how prostitution is a systemic problem right here in the U.S.

The film series’ first movie was “Born into Brothels” and its last film, to be shown on March 8, will be “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”.

About Rachel Stine

Rachel Stine (COM'12) is the Campus Editor for the Quad. She loves sailing the uncharted waters of BU's campus goings-on to uncover some of its deepest secrets and hidden treasures.

View all posts by Rachel Stine →

One Comment on “Fundraising BU Film Series Aims to Draw Attention to Women’s Issues”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *