On November 9, 2016 the day after the presidential election, a friend from my book club emailed, “I think it would be comforting and empowering for a group of women to come together on a regular basis to begin to figure out how to make a difference.”

One week later, I attended the first meeting of what would become the Women’s Alliance for Democracy and Justice. I brought two cameras to the meeting and began filming what would become Resisterhood, a documentary about the power of women, hope, and resistance in modern American politics.

Trump’s rise to power galvanized women in a powerful way, and it wasn’t just because the first female candidate from a major party lost. It was because of the way Trump won; running on a platform that alienated many women. As a filmmaker, I am particularly interested in how ordinary people react to extraordinary circumstances. The response to the election of Donald Trump from a diverse swath of Americans–LGBTQ, Muslim, Latino, Black and women became the focus of the documentary. Through their eyes, we experience the reality of America during the Trump presidency. And through their actions, we witness the strength and courage of everyday people during this tumultuous time.

For 2 years, from the Women’s March through the midterm elections, I followed 6 activists fighting for social justice on the streets and in the halls of power. My cameras captured the stories of women getting involved in the political process for the first time; young people and octogenarians marching in protest; women organizing, speaking out, getting arrested; and demanding a seat at the table by running for office.

Their efforts, and those of so many others, ushered in the most diverse Congress in history in 2018. More people now see themselves and their concerns represented at the highest levels of power. And no matter what happens in the upcoming election, one thing is for sure: more women will be elected in all levels of government and they will continue the fight for decency, dignity and equality. Women will make a difference and we are here to stay.

Learn more about Resisterhood at resisterhooddoc.com. Now streaming on Amazon and Vimeo on Demand.

In case you missed last night’s WPI “Women on Wednesdays” virtual discussion on the film Resisterhood with film director Cheryl Jacobs Crim, former professional soccer player Joanna Lohman, political activist Mimi Hassanein, and civil rights activist Margaret Morrison, you can watch the full replay here.