Film Screening & Discussion: "A Great Ride"

Tuesday, October 2, 2018 - 4:00pm to 6:00pm Location: LIB 121 The film "A Great Ride" will be screened, followed by a panel discussion with the film’s producer/director, Deborah Craig. Deborah Craig has created more than half a dozen films about socially relevant topics such as HIV/AIDS among women and the positive influence of community gardens in low-income neighborhoods. She teaches in SF State’s Health Education department and Mills College in Oakland. Film synopsis: “A Great Ride” is a 30-minute documentary about lesbians aging with dynamism and zest for life. Sally Gearhart, 80-plus retired women’s studies professor and activist, lives in a rustic cabin nestled in the Northern California woods. Although surrounded by the beauty of nature, she also faces several challenges to her independence. Brenda Crawford is an African American political activist who was priced out of Oakland. She continues her feisty community engagement in wonderfully diverse Vallejo, California, where unfortunately homophobia is still “alive and well.” Octogenarian Shirley Liberman and couples Nancy and Marjorie, and Sue and Patty make their homes in an LGBT-friendly, if fairly “white bread,” Santa Rosa retirement community. They relish the company and support of older lesbians who have congregated informally at “Oakmont Village,” where they are making new straight friends too. When they were young these women forged a social movement to come out as true to themselves. Now they face the next daunting challenge, growing old, which can come with frailty, loneliness, and the death of dear friends. Their response? Deep friendships, determination, engagement, and quirky deathdefying humor. These women are now pioneers once again, on the journey that every human faces towards the end of life. In this group portrait, they are courageous role models for aging, which they do with an independent and irreverent spirit and a heartening delight in living.