A Hero for Daisy

This is one of the most powerful documentary films I have ever seen. For those who have sisters, daughters, mothers who competed in sports, this is a must see. I read about this film in The New York Times and then after seeing it, sent copies of all of my friends. The film profiles Olympian Chris Ernst, who led a demonstration at Yale University in the mid-1970s when the women's rowing team was not given lockers rooms and women were generally given short shrift as athletes. 19 members of Yale's rowing team stripped in the athletic director's office, their bodies marked with the phrase "Title IX." The film is poignant, yet infused with very funny moments. It follows Chris from high school (where she began life as a rabble rouser) to Yale to the Olympics and to her chosen career as a plumber (with a Yale degree). Just wonderful.

This documentary touches the heart because it brings to light every day heroes that live in this world who dare to challenge a system for change, and subsequently effectively change the world for those in it, yet go unrecognized. I also enjoyed this film because it augments the value of strength and inner beauty of women, which is the true value rather than so much superficiality that currently exists in this world. This is an inspirational film and delivers a strong message, especially to youngsters. I would recommend this film to people of all ages, those in athletics, and in particular to all teenagers. It would be nice if there were more films out there with substantiative quality like this one.

I had the pleasure of watching this documentary at the Craftsbury Sculling Center in Vermont, along with other rowers from across the world. At the end of the film there was silence, except for one guy who was upset at Title IX and complained. So everyone got on his case, poking fun at him, until he left the room in a huff.

The next day I asked a few of the others what they thought about the film. Most did not understand what it was about. The general consensus was that the story jumped around, and no one understood why John Kerry was interviewed.

I had the opportunity to watch the documentary again, getting a better understanding of the Chris Ernst story, Title IX and John Kerry. I think Chris Ernst is merely a rebel without a cause; title IX is dumb; and I still don't know why John Kerry was interviewed. A better title for this documentary would have been, Rich Girls at Yale Need Showers.

To put things in perspective the local university kids, both male and female, bike, walk, or run to the rowing club twice a day, do their workout then go home - no showers, no buses and no grandstanding protests required!

I saw this movie at my school. The story would seem intriguing but it starts to drag as the filmmaker continues her interviews, even though the interviewees get their points across within the first half of the film. However, for people who are interested in learning more about the 'Title IX" act, it is worth seeing. Others should seek elsewhere.