The Philadelphia Eleven (working title)

The Philadelphia Eleven is a documentary film in development about eleven women who presented themselves to be ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church on July 29th 1974, despite the Church's having voted against the ordination of women. At the time, the ordinations themselves were big news. More than 2,000 people showed up for the service, along with all of the major television networks and print media outlets. The hotly contentious issue remained in international headlines for weeks, while the women priests had to manage the unexpected media attention for what was a very personal and private journey in faith. The celebratory service was just the beginning of a drawn out struggle for women’s rights within the Episcopal Church. It took four years, civil and ecclesiastical lawsuits, and more irregular ordinations for a change in policy. The original eleven women, and the four who were ordained "irregularly" in 1975, stood up to claim the equality of all souls before God. Their belief was controversial then, as it is now. 

The Team

DIRECTOR
PRODUCER
Margo Guernsey
Margo Guernsey is Director/ Producer of COUNCILWOMAN, and two films in development. In the past she has worked as a Producer at WPBT2, and had a successful career in non-profit fundraising and communications. She holds an MFA in Film (University of Miami), MA in History (UMass/Amherst), BA in History (Brown University), and is Tribeca/Camden/CNNFilms Retreat Alumni.



DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Co-PRODUCER
Nikki Bramley
Nikki is a cinematographer based in Boston. Her work ranges from independent documentaries to high-end commercial projects. Previous camera credits include: Frontline (2015), “Runaway Chef; Thailand” (PBS 2010), “Give Me the Banjo” (PBS 2011), and various Discovery ID programs (2013), as well as additional camera work on NOVA "The Great Math Mystery"(2015), and Finding Your Roots. Her documentary and nonprofit shooting work has taken her across the U.S., and to Thailand, Ireland and South Sudan. Nikki was an associate producer on “A Life Among Whales” (PBS, Discovery), and edited the short documentary “Only One Boss” (festivals). She is the Director of Photography for COUNCILWOMAN. Nikki graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University in 2002 with a BS in Television, Radio and Film Production.

Timeline

Documentary films are long endeavors. We began filming in 2015 with the goal of finishing as soon as is feasible. Donations help move the project along. Feel free to contact us anytime with questions.

Donate

You can make a tax-deductible online donation via PayPal by clicking the button below. You may also send a check, payable to DER. Write "Philadelphia Eleven" in the memo line and mail the check to:

Documentary Educational Resources
101 Morse Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Thank you!

This program is supported in part, by Mass Humanities. Our sponsor is Documentary Educational Resources.