The experiences of Black women faculty at Northwestern University are being highlighted in a new documentary titled "Hearing Silences: 50 Years of Black Women Faculty at Northwestern." The film will premiere on Tuesday, February 25, at 5 p.m. at the McCormick Foundation Center in Evanston. The event is free and open to the Northwestern community, with an option for virtual participation.
The 37-minute documentary chronicles the journey of Black women faculty over five decades, starting with Joyce Hughes, who became the first Black woman to earn tenure at Northwestern in 1979. It also features Sandra Richards, the first Black woman tenured in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Their stories are complemented by accounts from current faculty members like Heather Pinkett, an associate professor in molecular biosciences.
Diana Slaughter Kotzin, a former professor at the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), is featured in the film. She was instrumental in conceptualizing and funding the project. Kotzin remarked that it narrates "the story of Black women educators helping to desegregate the Northwestern faculty."
Ava Greenwell, a journalism professor at Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communication for over three decades, hopes that viewers will perceive this documentary as a meaningful contribution to Northwestern's legacy. Greenwell has been actively involved in producing documentaries and researching professional spheres occupied by Black women.
Greenwell led efforts to fundraise for "Hearing Silences," organized interviews, and gathered archival materials used in the film. She also initiated an archive containing transcripts and videos from interviews with nearly 300 academics. This archive aims to serve as a resource for researchers and community members indefinitely.
Greenwell emphasized the lasting significance of this project: "It’s not just a project for today; it’s a project for the future."