Schlafly proved an astute grassroots organizer
and champion for her cause even, as the series
depicts, she fac’ ”of women, race and power,”
Waller said.
Episode two, titled “Gloria,” is about Steinem but
also focuses on Sloan (as she was then known),
who was a lesbian, and the pivotal 1977 National
Women’s Conference held in Houston, Texas. The
meeting became a flash point for the “tension
between whether to include (issues of ) race
and also gay rights in the women’s movement,”
Waller said.
While she would like to have made more
episodes about other leaders of color, she hopes
viewers are inspired to further explore their lives
and achievements.
That goes for Hollywood, too.
“Mrs. America” did its best to honor overlooked
women but is “by no means comprehensive,” she
said. “There could be a whole series just on Flo
Kennedy, and I hope there are many biopics of
Shirley Chisholm.”