Labor Women is a portrait of three immigrant daughters who are a part of a new generation that is transforming the American labor movement. Quynh Nguyen is a trilingual organizer who moves easily between Vietnamese, Spanish and English as she mobilizes meatpackers in their demand for a union contract. Sri Lankan American Karla Zombro confronts the challenge of being a lead organizer and openly gay within the “Respect at LAX Living Wage” campaign for airport workers fighting for a contract. Jun Chong is a Korean American activist with a labor-community coalition in South Central Los Angeles, representing the most marginalized of workers – welfare-to-work recipients.

These dynamic Asian American women are not the submissive “lotus blossoms” of past stereotypes nor the young “model minorities” of today. They are passionate advocates for social change, and theirs is the story of the American labor movement as it progresses into the 21st century. Narrated by Elaine Kim and produced in association with Asian Women United-San Francisco.

SCREENINGS

PBS broadcast presented by Center for Asian American Media – Feminist Active Documentary Video Festa, Tokyo – Houston Asian Pacific Islander American Film Festival – May Day Labor Film Festival – Outfest Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival – Pacific Film Archives