http://maidadance.com/works/woman-see-maida-withers-weta-pbs-interview/

1981 – Interview with Maida in Washington, DC on PBS, WETA-TV, regarding the making of Woman See – a feminist multimedia work in eight parts created by Maida Withers.  Kim Curtis and Frances Babb performed live at PBS as part of the interview.

Creation of Woman See followed two years of involvement by Maida and three other Mormon women who formed the organization Mormon’s for Equal Rights Amendment, MERA, Arlington Virginia. MERA founders: Teddie Wood, Hazel Rigby, Sonia Johnson and Maida Withers. Mormon’s for ERA assisted nationally in the system established to pass the Equal Rights Amendment – State by State. Mormons for ERA joined with other religious groups. Many strong organizations came into existence around the passage of the Amendment. Being in the area of Washington, DC, provided access to many religious groups and other feminist organization as partners.

The PBS presentation includes two short duets from Woman See performed in the PBS TV studio located in Arlington, Virginia:  Journey in Innocence by Frances Babb and Kim Curtis and Pitfalls and Pedestals by Heather Tuck and Dale Crittenberger. It was important to have dancers part of the interview process live,online, at the PBS Station.

In the interview, Maida talks about the intentions in the  two sections performed, common relationships, traditional roles, of women and men, and general information about her work and views as a creative and performing artist with Maida Withers Dance Construction Company. Politics has always been an interest of Maida and the role of women as well.

The PBS-TV program was taped in 1981 with Withers reading the instructions published by the US Government for the care of the U.S. Constitution.  The physical constitution is several floors below the earth protected by cement containment.  This important paper document is not exposed to light.  The rotation annually allows for one page, then, to have a public showing.

Photo: Maida Withers, Woman See solo

MERA was very active with the US Congressional offices in Washington, DC and participated in most national rallies and especially in the Virginia political battle.  As we all know, it seems like the time for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment has not yet arrived. Women See was not about the Equal Rights Amendment but a personal perspective on women (and men).Woman See quartet: Kim Curtis (rear), Dale Crittenberger, Frances Babb, Heather Tuck

Note:  MERA Co-Founder, Sonia Johnson, was excommunicated from the Mormon Church for her outspoken views (especially outspoken within her Mormon community in Virginia). She was very active in her “ward” with her family.  She played the organ for religious services in her congregation.  Maida was the first person to speak in her defense at the trial held in the Mormon Church in McLean, VA.  There was a large crowd outside the Church during her trial.  Many women from other pro-abortion groups were present showing the reach of MERA participation in the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.