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VISIONARY WOMEN: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence

Sponsored by WCC Sociology Professor Kathleen French and the WCC Creative Media Committee

All events are free and open to the public.
Please contact Kathleen French for more information (kfrench@hawaii.edu)


Untitled Sia documentary (documentary in progress)
Tuesday, March 12
10:00 – 11:15 a.m.

A conversation with special guest filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford about her documentary in progress about Pacific writer Sia Figiel. By capturing Sia’s creative process as well as her efforts to manage her mania, depression, blood sugar, and weight, the film project aims to track her surprising and illuminating journey toward mental, physical and cultural healing.

Also participating in the discussion are Karla Silva-Park, LMHC and Title IX Coordinator at WCC, and Desrae Kahale, Mental Health Counselor at WCC.


Driven Mind: Iris Chang (documentary in progress)
Tuesday, March 12
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

A conversation with special guest filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford about her documentary in progress about the life and death of Chinese-American author Iris Chang. The film project explores Iris’s life as a bestselling author, known for such books as The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II and The Chinese in America, as well as the factors leading to her tragic suicide at the age of 36.

Also participating in the discussion are Karla Silva-Park, LMHC and Title IX Coordinator at WCC, and Desrae Kahale, Mental Health Counselor at WCC.


Rise of the Wahine: Champions of Title IX
Thursday, March 14
10:00 – 11:15 a.m.

A documentary about the start of the UH Wahine athletics program and how it intersected with Title IX.

Discussion following the viewing with special guest filmmaker Dean Kaneshiro.


Heart of The Sea: Kapolioka’ehukai
Thursday, March 14
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Heart of The Sea: Kapolioka’ehukai is the inspiring portrait of surf legend Rell “Kapoliokaʻehukai” Sunn, founding member of the Women’s Professional Surfing Association and one of Hawai’i’s most beloved community leaders. While known for her incredible physical power, grace and luminous beauty, it was her generous spirit and relentless works as a youth, environmental and breast cancer activist that made her an icon on the Islands.

Audience discussion after the film.