Paving the Way is a documentary film highlighting the struggles and successes of four women who broke through gender barriers in their respective fields. The film features Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Reverend Addie Wyatt, Major General Jeanne Holm, and Congresswoman Patsy Mink, and showcases their remarkable achievements in the face of sexism and discrimination.
This film heavily deals with gender status. The Learning Gender power point describes gender status as “Gender is an ascribed social status. The meanings of an ascribed status are taught, learned, emulated, and enforced.” Furthermore, women's stratification is highlighted throughout the film. It is stated that a motto for women was “Go home, stay home, and take care of your kids.” The four women varied in their careers, but their fight for justice was the same. It is clear to see all the dedication these women put forth in paving the way for a better future.
Indirectly, the film criticizes the lack of representation of women and people of color in power positions. This is particularly true in politics, law,
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One of the most prominent symbols in the film is the image of a road or a path. Whether it was a battalion of women or women marching in a rally on the road, this symbol showed their strength. It is further used to represent the struggles and obstacles the four featured women had to overcome to achieve their high-status jobs. The road/path also symbolizes the journey they each took to get to where they are. It also symbolizes how they paved the way for future generations of women. The repeated images of the road/path help connect the stories of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Reverend Addie Wyatt, Major General Jeanne Holm, and Congresswoman Patsy Mink. They illustrate how each woman's journey was unique yet shared common themes of overcoming adversity and breaking down barriers for women in their respective