Roosevelt Island Women's Movie Group Showing Rebel: Loreta Velazquez, Secret Soldier of The American Civil War On Thursday At Gallery RIVAA

From the Roosevelt Island Women's Movie Group:

Roosevelt Island Women's Movie Group Shows Rebel: Loreta Velazquez, Secret Soldier of the American Civil War on Thursday, December 5 at 7:00 pm.

Viewing films with themes as varied as political, social and sexual topics, plus psychological and cross cultural issues, the Roosevelt Island Women's Movie Group meets four to five times per year, since April, 2010. The group, started by Janet Falk and Sheila Berger Chazin, offers Roosevelt Island women and their friends the opportunity to view films on timely issues and, in the optional, informal post- film discussion, the attendees share their personal and professional perspectives on how they relate to the stories and topics.

According to Falk, "It began as an opportunity to meet with a group of women friends, plus their neighbors. It’s like a book club, but without the reading assignment." Sharing experiences that may be personal and intimate prompted her to seek out Chazin as a co-facilitator. “As a long-time Island resident, Sheila had many women contacts on the Island to invite. And as a professional therapist, workshop leader and educator she was experienced at leading group discussions that can become personal.” For her part, Chazin added, “I immediately thought this was a great idea. There had not been a group like it before on the Island – a chance for women from various backgrounds and ages to get together, share an activity and discuss our experiences.”

Falk noted that “Roosevelt Island is a community of do-it-yourself organizations. If you build it, they will come. It’s gratifying that the group continues to meet, and that, at each session, new members join.” Chazin added, “Our multi-generational and varied cultural membership make for lively discussion,” adding that “mutual respect among the members ensures privacy”.

Participants bring healthy snacks to share. A fee of $6.00 covers the purchase of films and the cost of the meeting space. The group moved from a Southtown room to Gallery RIVAA to offer financial support to the Gallery.

All Island women and their friends are welcome to attend the next movie, Rebel: Loreta Velazquez, Secret Soldier of the American Civil War, on Thursday, December 5, at 7:00 P.M. at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main Street. The film re-creates the story of a woman who fought as a Confederate soldier, while disguised as a man. She later moved to the Union side, where she was a spy. Her autobiography recounting her work for both armies was published in 1876 and was denounced, perhaps because its story was so unconventional.

To RSVP, please contact riwomenmovie@gmail.com.