‘Sister Senators’ Follows Battle Against Division, Misogyny in South Carolina’s Upper House: ‘We Are the Losers in This Toxic Environment’

As a film enthusiast with a penchant for documentaries that delve deep into societal issues, I find “Sister Senators” to be a refreshing and inspiring piece of work. Coming from South Carolina myself, I was initially unaware of the dearth of women in our state senate, which left me feeling a tad ashamed. However, this film sheds light on a sisterhood that transcends political differences, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the bitterly divided political climate.


With the upcoming November election approaching, director Emily Harrold is not concentrating on the deep-seated political division in the U.S. Rather, she’s turning her attention towards five politicians who chose to collaborate regardless of their party ties – a group affectionately known as South Carolina’s “Sister Senators.

Five women – Margie Bright Matthews, Katrina Shealy, Mia McLeod, Penry Gustafson, and Sandy Senn – began working together following the Dobbs decision, which marked the end of the constitutional right to an abortion in the United States. They recognized that unity provides power.

Harrold hails from South Carolina, where she was surprised to learn there were only five women in the state senate. To be honest, she admitted feeling a bit ashamed by this revelation. She’s used to seeing individuals with diverse political views who genuinely like and respect each other, and it’s quite unusual. It truly feels like a bond between sisters,” says Harrold.

The documentary ‘Sister Senators’ was showcased at the U.S. Docs exhibit of Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival, and it was produced by Harrold and Robin Hessman with Rachel Denny serving as co-producer. This film is a collaborative effort between Lynnwood Pictures and Global Neighborhood, with Ruth Ann Harnisch as the executive producer and Ann Lovell as co-executive producer.

‘Sister Senators’ Follows Battle Against Division, Misogyny in South Carolina’s Upper House: ‘We Are the Losers in This Toxic Environment’

In this film, there are two main ideas that stand out: emphasizing collaboration among various political groups and advocating for increased representation in politics, specifically by electing more women. For a significant period, Katrina Shealy, the leader of ‘Sister Senators,’ was the sole female representative in the state senate, which was viewed as acceptable according to Hessman.

Politicians often refuse advancement for the sake of scoring points against their opponents, leading to repetitive stalemates. This results in us, the general public, bearing the brunt of a contentious and poisonous political climate where little is achieved.

I’ve observed that our governments should prioritize serving us rather than engaging in constant conflict. Regrettably, we see polarization instead, making it challenging to predict the outcome even after a presidential election. It seems unlikely that the new President will be able to push through any significant changes in Congress.

The Sisters may not always see eye to eye, yet they manage to hold conversations. These discussions aren’t confined to reproductive rights, instead, they extend to advocating for the passage of an anti-hate crimes bill as well.

Despite not having a governor, South Carolina stands out in a peculiar way given their past tragedy where one of their state senators was a victim of a hate crime [Senator Clementa C. Pinckney]. As Harrold points out, they are actively addressing various issues. Meanwhile, Hessman notes that they are showing an exceptional ability to listen to their constituents, collaborate among themselves, and find common ground – something seldom seen in politics. This approach, as Hessman suggests, allows them to accomplish tasks effectively, often overcoming the obstacles posed by male egos in politics.

Currently, Harrold intends to wrap up filming by early 2025, a time when the nation’s political landscape is expected to have undergone a transformation.

Beginning of the new political year, we’ll start filming. The newly elected state senate is expected to convene roughly at the same time as the inauguration ceremony. As Margie Bright Matthews and Emily attended the DNC, it was Emily who captured Kamala Harris delivering her acceptance speech on camera. Her being the candidate has undeniably shifted things, according to Hessman.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve delved into the political realm before, discussing figures like Bakari Sellers in “While I Breathe, I Hope” and Jaime Harrison in “In the Bubble with Jaime”. Now, let me share my insights gleaned from another esteemed politician in the intriguing documentary, “Sister Senators”.

She explains that, as far as she knows, they came to a joint conclusion: ‘Either everyone’s involved, or we’re not moving forward with this.’

Truthfulness often yields the best results, so we’ve chosen transparency when dealing with the senators. We’ve been associated with them for two years, not only confined to the State House,” she notes, assuring a thorough examination of their identities, their priorities, and their concerns.

Or what they, or other women in leadership positions, still have to struggle with.

Growing up during the 90s, I was fortunate to live in an era that granted women many rights. However, within the past five years, there’s been a significant shift back from this progress. It wasn’t until I stepped foot in the State House that I truly understood the existence of sexism. To my surprise, it’s alarmingly obvious – more so than I had anticipated, given our current times.

Frequently, it’s noticeable during their online discussions, particularly when they tackle topics concerning women, that men tend to leave the conversation, leaving them talking to empty rooms. Another point of contention involves dress code. One woman, experiencing menopause, consistently feels hot and is asked to keep her jacket on and cover her shoulders. She keeps a fan hidden under her desk for comfort.

Additionally, many older gentlemen prefer cooler temperatures, thereby adjusting the Senate’s thermostat to their liking. On one occasion, she removed her coat – a move that earned her reprimand,” explains Hessman.

The tale remains timeless, focusing on the importance of women’s inclusion at decision-making tables and the shocking hurdles they continue to encounter, even from men within their own groups. Although I come from a different era than Emily, I too harbored the belief that many conflicts have been resolved. Regrettably, this is not the case.

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2024-11-01 15:47