Home »

• 

  Bonne Bell: 10,000 Meter Race For Women

  Chicago, Eleanor Boyer, Videomakers

  This video documents Chicago’s first 6.2 mile race for women. Organized and hosted by the Loop Center YWCA in April,1978, it was billed as one of the largest, if not the largest, sporting event for women to that date. Over 2000 entrants completed the race. The tape vividly captures the excitement of women of all ages, races and economic status, many of whom were motivated to run by the desire to do something ‘just for themselves.’ Loop YWCA organizers, Sharon Mier and Erma Tranter appear in the tape as does then mayor of Chicago, Michael Bilandic.

• 

  Joann: My Sister The Mail Carrier

  Chicago, Chicago Slices, Eleanor Boyer, Videomakers

  A brief portrait of Joann Elam who delivers the mail in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. She talks about being a woman in a traditionally male job. She comments on responses from job supervisors and how she derives personal benefit from this kind of employment. Produced for the Chicago Video Makers’ Coalition program, SLICES OF CHICAGO, a show for broadcast consisting of small format “alternative” videos on subjects not normally seen on broadcast television.

• 

  Getting Strong: Self Defense For Women

  Chicago, Eleanor Boyer, Videomakers

  In the early 1970’s Chicago’s Loop Center YWCA implemented a variety of anti-rape programs to combat societal beliefs and institutional practices that negatively impacted women. Self defense for women was one of these programs. In this video, comments by men, women and interviews with women self-defense instructors, Carol Whiteside, Sue Gould and Andra Medea, document prevailing attitudes about women’s ability to defend themselves from physical attack. The video shows techniques taught in the women’s self-defense classes at the Loop YWCA.

• 

  La Maestra: Maria Luisa Michel Almonte

  Chicago, Communities, Eleanor Boyer, Latinx, Videomakers

  Maria Almonte immigrated from Mexico to Chicago’s Pilsen–Little Village neighborhood in 1950. An
  artist/teacher, she supported her family from her flower shop business and became a leader in the
  educational and cultural life of the community. She taught traditional arts, crafts, and practical skills

  like dress-making in settlement houses, in community workshops and in her own studio. At the age of
  70 she continued to teach and act on her belief that artistic expression is a powerful tool for
  developing cultural identity and individual self-esteem. The video shows Ms. Almonte in community-
  sponsored workshops teaching neighborhood residents how to make traditional cut-paper ornaments
  and how to design clothing. In the hall of a local church her students model their creations and receive
  recognition. Produced, directed and edited by Eleanor Boyer and Karen Peugh. Partially funded by
  the Illinois Arts Council and the Center for New Television with a Joyce Foundation grant.
  Gold Can Award, Chicago Access Corporation, 1986; Certificate of Merit, Chicago International
  Film Festival, 1984

• 

  Rosana Leicht Speaks

  Chicago, Eleanor Boyer, Guerrilla TV, Videomakers

  Rosina Leicht recounts the events she and her family experienced being forced from their home in the midst of the political chaos and violence of WWII. She describes their flight by horse-drawn wagon from their small village of Lowas, Yugoslavia to avoid advancing Russian forces. Sheltering in Austria, first on a farm and then in a displaced persons camp, they immigrated to the US. in 1956. There, with determination and hard work, she and her husband created a secure life for themselves and their three children.

• 

  Image Union, episode 0214: International Women’s Day

  Chicago, Communities, Eleanor Boyer, Image Union, Latinx

  This episode of Image Union is in honor of International Women’s Day. Works include “Festival De Mujeres” by Eleanor Boyer and Karen Peugh and “La Llaronda” by Nancy de los Santos, Librado Martinez III, Eugene Lisansky, and Jeff Chown.

• 

  Image Union, episode 0009: Women

  Chicago Politics, Eleanor Boyer, Guerrilla TV, Image Union, Roots of Video, Video Makers Choice

  Hour long compilation episode of Image Union featuring “Jane Byrne Election Night” by Scott Jacobs with Cindy Neal and Lilly Ollinger,”La Traviata” by Catherine DeJong, “Four Women Over 80” by Max Greenberg, an excerpt from “Two is Better” by Jane Gaines, “Rugby Women” by Eleanor Boyer, a tape from the Community TV Network, “Curtain” by Barbara Laitham, an excerpt from “Self Defense” by Michelle Citron, and “Girls Talk Liberation” by Lilly Ollinger.