9to5: The Story of a Movement

When the irrepressible Dolly Parton sang, “Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'; Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'; They just use your mind and you never get the credit, It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it” she was doing more than just shining a light on the professional fate of American women. Ms. Parton was singing the autobiographical tale of a movement that started with a group of Boston secretaries in the early 1970s. Inspired by the growing Women’s Liberation Movement, founders Ellen Cassedy and Karen Nussbaum started a cause they called “9to5”. Their goals were simple: better pay, job descriptions, respect, advancement opportunities, and an end to sexual harassment. But their approach came from an unconventional angle – humor. They employed outrageous wit to attract the press and shame their bosses into change. Later becoming a formal union, 9to5 harvested its energy from the unique intersection of the women’s and labor movements. Clerical workers were the low-wage workers of their era, and as America confronts the growing reality of deep income inequality and commonplace sexual harassment, the stories and strategies of these bold, creative women continue to resonate deeply. Featuring interviews with 9to5’s founders, actress/activist Jane Fonda and others; this is the previously untold story of the fight that inspired a hit and changed the American workplace.