The 2021 Toronto Women’s Film Festival selected “An Evening with Ellen” for its monthly online viewing in May 2021—an unexpected and very pleasant surprise…
Wow! This is a nice accolade. Thank you, Toronto Women Film Festival.
The Famous Marching Presidents produced this film in 2020 to honor suffrage leader Ellen Clark Sargent.
All cast and crew are Nevada County residents. The film features actor Mary Baird and businessman Rick Ewald. The original screenplay was written and directed by Pamela Biery. Earles of Newtown generously provided the fitting music, with their original work Broad Street Suite.
View the video and learn more about Nevada County history here.
Watch for details on the upcoming Constitution Day weekend here.
This month I took some time to reflect on how much a community can do together. I assembled the photos I took over the year during “An Evening with Ellen”.
“An Evening with Ellen” limited audience prepares for ceremonial stroll to Odd Fellows Hall
“An Evening with Ellen” started with actor Mary Baird and non-profit sponsor The Famous Marching Presidents and grew and gained momentum throughout 2020…best of all, it kept me creatively engaged during 2020.
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
August: Poster printing and release. Odd Fellows decorate windows on Broad Street. Video production. Famous Marching Presidents Tree Dedication Ceremony.
September: Video complete.
October: Windows on History features Odd Fellows Nineteenth Amendment windows.
December: Video edited for television and film festival format. Inclusion in Women Soaring art exhibit. Plan for educational curriculum development (2021).
Thanks to the Famous Marching Presidents, donors, and the incredible team.
Mary Baird portrays suffrage leader Ellen Clark Sargent in “An Evening with Ellen”
Ellen Clark Sargent was a prominent suffrage leader and resident of Nevada City, where she founded one of the early West Coast Suffrage organizations in 1869. She worked tirelessly to secure women’s voting rights with her entire family for four decades. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote in 2020, the Famous Marching Presidents produced an original play, “An Evening with Ellen,” highlighting Ellen Clark Sargent and the Nineteenth Amendment.
This original work, written by Pamela Biery, is set in an interview format. Actor Mary Baird portrays Ellen Sargent, while Nevada City businessman, Rick Ewald interviews Ellen, from a present-day perspective. Terry Boyer provides the master of ceremonies role, setting the tone for this lively interaction.
Mary Baird portrays Ellen Sargent, with present day interviewer, Rick Ewald
Nevada City California resident Ellen Clark Sargent was a close friend and ally to Susan B. Anthony. Sargent served as both treasurer and secretary of National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA); an organization founded by Susan B. Anthony. Ellen Sargent also was president of the California Woman Suffrage Association and founded the Nevada County Women Suffrage Association. She was a key figure in eventually combining East and West Coast efforts into a unified organization, which later became the League of Women Voters.
Adding to the context of this original, historically accurate work, the video was filmed at the Nevada City Odd Fellows Lodge Temple, where Aaron Sargent, who authored the Nineteenth Amendment, was a founding member in 1863.
Donate to making this project and curriculum materials available free to public, including schools here gf.me/u/x8in5b
Request a password protected link to view this video on Vimeo by emailing pamela[at]pamelab.com
August: Poster printing and release. Odd Fellows decorate windows on Broad Street. Video production. Famous Marching Presidents Tree Dedication Ceremony.
September: Video complete.
October: Windows on History features Odd Fellows Nineteenth Amendment windows.
December: Video edited for television and film festival format. Inclusion in Women Soaring art exhibit. Plan for educational curriculum development (2021).
Thanks to the Famous Marching Presidents, donors, and the incredible team.
