My Choice

The March for Women’s Lives, April 25, 2004

Cast & Crew

Actors: Sarah Weddington, Gloria Steinem, Whoopi Goldberg, Cybill Shepherd, Janeane Garofalo, Bonnie Franklin, Amy Brenneman, Madeleine Albright, Carol King, Camryn Manheim, Barbara Boxer, Christine Lahti, Kathleen Turner, Julianne Moore, Tyne Daly, Holly Near, Cris Williamson, Anthony Romero, Carol Moseley Braun, Bethany and Peter Yarrow, Sandy Rapp, Ani DiFranco, and Laura Dawn & Moby and a Million Marchers

Producer: Patty Mooney

Studio: New & Unique Videos

Digital Release Date: 2022

Run Time: 33:33 minutes

IMDb

Synopsis

In April 2004, Magi, an 82-year-old mother of six, and her daughter, filmmaker Patty Mooney, journeyed together to Washington, D.C., for a historic and transformative experience: the March for Women’s Lives on April 25th. Equipped with her professional Sony digital camera, tripod, and press pass, Patty documented this landmark event, capturing the passion, resilience, and solidarity of 1.2 million participants—the largest U.S. march in history at that time. She managed to position herself front and center on the main stages bookending the National Mall, recording compelling speeches and performances by influential advocates and entertainers.

The rally’s presenters included Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Turner, Julianne Moore, Tyne Daly, Holly Near, Cris Williamson, and Anthony Romero, as well as leaders like Carol Moseley Braun, each voicing their commitment to reproductive rights and equality. Now, as a conservative-majority Supreme Court has reversed Roe v. Wade, American women face the resurgence of restrictions on their bodily autonomy. With this critical shift, Patty felt it was time to remaster and re-edit her 2004 documentary, My Choice, to reignite the spirit and vision of that unforgettable day.

My Choice is a powerful musical documentary, enhanced by the stirring voices of Cris Williamson, Holly Near, Bethany and Peter Yarrow, Sandy Rapp, Ani DiFranco, and Laura Dawn with Moby. Through heartfelt songs and moving speeches, it transports viewers back to the pivotal rally, reminding us of the enduring fight for women’s rights. Patty’s documentary is more than just a look back; it’s a call to action, meant to resonate deeply in the current struggle for equality and inspire a new generation to stand up and march for women’s lives.

April 25, 2004, dawned bright and buzzing in Washington, D.C., as an unprecedented 1.2 million people gathered on the National Mall for the March for Women’s Lives. It was a day fueled by purpose and unity, with the early morning air filled with anticipation as buses, trains, and carpools arrived from every corner of the country. Women, men, families, and friends, of all ages and backgrounds, carried signs, banners, and flags, each symbolizing their commitment to women’s rights, healthcare, and freedom.

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The crowd stretched endlessly down the Mall, with two main stages set up at each end to host an incredible lineup of speakers and performers. By late morning, the sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow on a sea of demonstrators as they listened intently to impassioned speeches by celebrities, activists, and political leaders. Voices like Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Turner, and Carol Moseley Braun spoke from the heart, sharing personal stories and rallying calls for change. The atmosphere was powerful, electric with the shared purpose of defending women’s reproductive rights and personal freedom.

The musical performances added to the spirit of the day, with singers like Cris Williamson and Holly Near lending their voices, blending protest with melody. Their songs resonated through the open air, uplifting the crowd, uniting people in song, and reinforcing the solidarity felt across the Mall. People danced, held hands, and, in quieter moments, reflected on the importance of their presence there.

By afternoon, the streets of D.C. had become a sea of color and sound, a living, breathing statement of unity. Despite the weighty cause, there was an underlying sense of hope, resilience, and strength. As the march concluded, participants left feeling empowered and inspired, carrying with them memories of a historic day when people from all walks of life joined together in the capital to take a stand for women’s rights and equality. April 25, 2004, remains etched in memory as a beautiful, defining moment in the fight for justice and autonomy.

Indie Slate