What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca DeHart on August 2, 2010 at 8:02pm

That's a really relevant quotation to me right now. I've been spending a lot of time lately realizing how much inspiration there is in failure (although that is a strong word... maybe 'setbacks'?)

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Permalink Reply by Louise Vance on August 3, 2010 at 11:32am

The word "failure" is really loaded for me, too. I don't like it at all! I figure we always learn a lot and put out good energy even on efforts that don't bring the results we want right away. It seems like "failure" is too black and white, too judgmental a word.

Throughout the decade-plus process of raising the funds and finishing this film, I really did think of Anthony and Stanton and their fellow activists often; compared to what they did, I knew I could keep my head up and eventually reach my goal to honor their amazing work by creating Seneca Falls. Anthony's obit from the NY Times is revealing, especially her words in her last hours of life: "To think I have had more than sixty years of hard struggle for a little liberty, and then to die without it seems so cruel." Yet, she left every dime of her property to "the cause," and thanks to her campaigns, we are living free. Alice Paul and her pals picked up the baton and crossed the finish line 14 years after Anthony's death, but there is no question in my mind that thanks to her mantra, they refused to give in.

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Permalink Reply by Jamia Meacham on August 10, 2010 at 2:52pm

I would start a church and provide counseling, legal and other social services to injured workers, survivors of domestic violence and survivors of other traumatic experiences. The kind of high end counseling/personal growth services people with a lot of money or really good insurance can get.

I would work to build a community of the above people so they could help one another, kind of a big tribe.

Not the barely a band aid services provided by so many social services agencies, who admittedly, do not have the budget to provide what I'm talking about.

If I knew I couldn't fail, the money would be there to support what I have in mind.

Or...on my more selfish days, I'd just become a rock star, like Stevie Nicks or Ann Wilson, lol.

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Permalink Reply by Louise Vance on August 10, 2010 at 3:16pm

Your idea and your tribe sound fantastic. Maybe there is a philanthropist out there who shares your vision - who knows.

I think I'd spend part of my day teaching young people "peace education" and part of my day writing books that move people. Though sometimes I'd like to start a school for filmmakers that hooks up nonprofits who need videos with students learning; the teachers would be all the Bay Area film colleagues who are so knowledgeable but who need to pass their experience on to the next generation.

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Permalink Reply by Darlene Boyd on May 30, 2011 at 7:43pm

I think "remembering who we were, what we are and where we must go" is a call that I continually seem to passionately hook into.  Like the Jews who finally won freedom from slavery in Egypt, then set about celebrating that freedom every year since, to "remember," without trivializing the event, is amazing.  I feel that the ratification of the 19th Amendment is something that needs to be celebrated annually, with both the seriousness and joy of knowing this was a huge step toward the freedom of half the world's population.  I don't want it to fall into the sad affair that has befallen "Mother's Peace Day," which strove to defy the horrid bitterness of war.  Now "Mother's Day" has become a Hallmark Card kind of celebration, lacking any real resolution to make a difference that matters.  Anyway, let's keep it alive and celebrate every year, remembering why we are here to enjoy today and how we can make it better for those who come after us.

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Permalink Reply by Louise Vance on June 22, 2011 at 5:45pm

Remembering is so important - celebrating annually, as you say.  August 26th is marked as "Women's Equality Day," since 1971, thanks to Rep. Bella Abzug's leadership, but I bet not one in a thousand people know that.  It's really too bad. 

You've inspired me, Darlene, to have a celebration on August 26th.  I'll invite the beyond community to come up with a way to commemorate the 72 year active struggle to gain the vote for American women.  Would love to hear any ideas you have about what to do.

 

This October, California celebrates the centennial of votes for women in Sacramento.  We've been invited to show Seneca Falls at the State Capitol and in a public movie theater as part of the celebration.  More details as they are available.

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by Darlene Boyd on June 22, 2011 at 10:29pm

Thanks for sharing this.  Keep me in the loop as to what transpires in Sacramento.

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Permalink Reply by Louise Vance on June 22, 2011 at 10:41pm

You're most welcome.  And yes, I sure will keep you in the loop.  Should have some more details in the next few weeks from the committee organizing the celebration.

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