PLEASE SUPPORT WE PERSIST WITH A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION
by We Persist
Welcome
Welcome to the fundraising page for We Persist, a feature length documentary that follows the journeys of three extraordinary women - Roslyn Harmon, Manal Omar, and Lakota Harden.
Welcome to the fundraising page for We Persist, a feature length documentary that follows the journeys of three extraordinary women - Roslyn Harmon, Manal Omar, and Lakota Harden.
All three women are confronting racial and gender inequality while battling systemic oppression. Yet, they continue to advocate for transformative changes in their communities.
And that’s what sets We Persist apart from other documentaries. This is not just a film- it’s a movement to unite people in their communities. We Persist demonstrates how healing can and does happen at the community level.
Logline
Battling for Justice. Peace Building. Restoring Communities.
A Black woman, a Palestinian-American woman, and a Native American woman overcome personal and ancestral trauma to lead global and domestic movements in social justice and restorative justice. Their resilience, cultural roots, and fierce determination shape a cinematic journey of resistance and healing.
Synopsis
We Persist is a feature-length documentary that follows the personal and collective journeys of three women—Roslyn Harmon, Manal Omar, and Lakota Harden—as they navigate, challenge, and transform the systemic injustices that stem from systemic injustice, land removal, and diaspora and have become embedded in their communities and beyond.
Through three diverse experiences, the film examines themes of intersectional leadership, social justice, cultural reclamation, and the transformative power of community-driven healing. Using a narrative structure centered on their stories, We Persist will highlight the global and local efforts to address inequality, promote restorative justice, and foster peace in divided societies.
We Persist examines the intersections of identity, leadership, and social justice while highlighting the resilience and determination of women of color to enact meaningful change through key themes.
Intersection of Race, Gender, and Leadership
Systemic Oppression and Social Justice
Healing Through Culture and Community
Why We Need This Film
• The stories in We Persist reflect our time's pressing social and political challenges, including rising polarization, systemic discrimination, and the enduring impact of historical injustices.
• By focusing on women of color who navigate and challenge these barriers, the film offers a powerful lens into the broader struggle for equity and justice.
• In an era where social divisions run deep, the documentary underscores the urgency of collective action and the transformative power of inclusive leadership, cultural reclamation, and community healing.
• Through intimate storytelling and a focus on resilience and activism, We Persist chronicles individual journeys and inspires audiences to envision and work toward a more equitable future.
• We Persist honors the strength and perseverance of women leaders who have defied the odds and fought for change.
• By focusing on women of color who navigate and challenge these barriers, the film offers a powerful lens into the broader struggle for equity and justice.
• In an era where social divisions run deep, the documentary underscores the urgency of collective action and the transformative power of inclusive leadership, cultural reclamation, and community healing.
• Through intimate storytelling and a focus on resilience and activism, We Persist chronicles individual journeys and inspires audiences to envision and work toward a more equitable future.
• We Persist honors the strength and perseverance of women leaders who have defied the odds and fought for change.
Please Support We Persist with a Tax-Deductible Donation
We Persist is fiscally sponsored by From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization that has supported independent filmmakers for over 30 years.
Your donation is 100% Tax-Deductible!
Fundraising Goal
We’re raising $25,000 to bring this film to life. And your tax-deductible contribution will help cover production, post-production, and outreach costs.
Every dollar moves us closer to make this film a reality. Every contribution ensures these important stories reach the audiences who need them most.
Meet the Cast
Redefining Leadership in Local Governance
The documentary opens with Roslyn Harmon, the first Black mayor of Golden Valley, Minnesota, as she grapples with the challenges of leading a predominantly white community during the tense days leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Roslyn's narrative focuses on confronting systemic racial inequities in local governance while striving to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for her constituents. She draws on her restorative justice and mental health expertise to implement community-based initiatives that unite people across divides. The film explores the weight of her role as a woman of color in politics in a predominantly white community, navigating personal and systemic barriers, and the critical decisions she faces as she balances her community's needs and her broader vision for racial equity.
The documentary opens with Roslyn Harmon, the first Black mayor of Golden Valley, Minnesota, as she grapples with the challenges of leading a predominantly white community during the tense days leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Roslyn's narrative focuses on confronting systemic racial inequities in local governance while striving to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for her constituents. She draws on her restorative justice and mental health expertise to implement community-based initiatives that unite people across divides. The film explores the weight of her role as a woman of color in politics in a predominantly white community, navigating personal and systemic barriers, and the critical decisions she faces as she balances her community's needs and her broader vision for racial equity.
From Global Peacebuilding to Local Activism
The narrative transitions to Manal Omar, an internationally recognized peacebuilder whose career took an unexpected turn after she publicly criticized divisive rhetoric, which led to death threats, during the first Trump era. Her story is marked by betrayal, loss, and recovery as she fights to reclaim her identity and rebuild her life. Following her dismissal from the U.S. Institute of Peace and a harrowing series of personal challenges, including legal battles and identity theft, Manal finds a new purpose in grassroots peacebuilding within South Carolina. Her work bridges interfaith communities, bringing together people of diverse backgrounds to address racial and social justice issues. Manal's journey raises questions about the ethical dilemmas activists and peacebuilders face, the personal cost of advocacy, and the intersection of domestic and global movements for justice.
The narrative transitions to Manal Omar, an internationally recognized peacebuilder whose career took an unexpected turn after she publicly criticized divisive rhetoric, which led to death threats, during the first Trump era. Her story is marked by betrayal, loss, and recovery as she fights to reclaim her identity and rebuild her life. Following her dismissal from the U.S. Institute of Peace and a harrowing series of personal challenges, including legal battles and identity theft, Manal finds a new purpose in grassroots peacebuilding within South Carolina. Her work bridges interfaith communities, bringing together people of diverse backgrounds to address racial and social justice issues. Manal's journey raises questions about the ethical dilemmas activists and peacebuilders face, the personal cost of advocacy, and the intersection of domestic and global movements for justice.
Reviving Cultural Traditions for Collective Healing
The final chapter focuses on Lakota Harden, a Native American leader with a legacy of over four decades of activism. From her early role as a youth representative on the Pine Ridge Reservation to her current efforts working with Native organizations, Lakota serves as a bridge between generations, carrying forward the wisdom of her ancestors while empowering her community. Her story highlights the ongoing struggle to address the generational trauma inflicted by colonization, the Indian boarding school system, and the addiction crisis affecting Native communities.
The final chapter focuses on Lakota Harden, a Native American leader with a legacy of over four decades of activism. From her early role as a youth representative on the Pine Ridge Reservation to her current efforts working with Native organizations, Lakota serves as a bridge between generations, carrying forward the wisdom of her ancestors while empowering her community. Her story highlights the ongoing struggle to address the generational trauma inflicted by colonization, the Indian boarding school system, and the addiction crisis affecting Native communities.
Meet the Crew
Dara Padwo-Audick
Producer / Writer / Director
Dara's passion for telling impactful stories has taken her around the globe and twice to Bhutan to explore Gross National Happiness. She has written, produced, and directed films for Animal Planet, CBS, DARPA Channel, Discovery Channel, Discovery HD-Theater, Discovery Kids, ESPN, Fox, Home and Garden Television, Lifetime Television, Military Channel, National Geographic Channel, Outdoor Life Channel, OWN, PBS, and Science Channel.
Dara's passion for telling impactful stories has taken her around the globe and twice to Bhutan to explore Gross National Happiness. She has written, produced, and directed films for Animal Planet, CBS, DARPA Channel, Discovery Channel, Discovery HD-Theater, Discovery Kids, ESPN, Fox, Home and Garden Television, Lifetime Television, Military Channel, National Geographic Channel, Outdoor Life Channel, OWN, PBS, and Science Channel.
Brigid Maher
Producer / Cinematographer / Director
Brigid Maher is a tenured full professor in the Film and Media Arts Division at American University's School of Communication. She is the Faculty Director of the first-year seminar, Complex Problems, and founder of the Anacostia Youth Media Festival. An award-winning documentary filmmaker, her works include "Experimental Curator: The Sally Dixon Story" (2022) and "The Mama Sherpas" (2015). Maher's films focus on women's issues and have been screened at prestigious festivals and on public television.
Producer / Cinematographer / Director
Brigid Maher is a tenured full professor in the Film and Media Arts Division at American University's School of Communication. She is the Faculty Director of the first-year seminar, Complex Problems, and founder of the Anacostia Youth Media Festival. An award-winning documentary filmmaker, her works include "Experimental Curator: The Sally Dixon Story" (2022) and "The Mama Sherpas" (2015). Maher's films focus on women's issues and have been screened at prestigious festivals and on public television.
Associate Producer / Assistant Editor
Seeley Björkstén is a filmmaker, animator, actor, and drag artist with a diverse background, including snowboarding instruction and farm work. Originally from Casper, Wyoming, Seeley graduated magna cum laude from American University in 2023, where they studied anthropology and film. A former member of NYWIFT and WIFV, Seeley has showcased their work in various film festivals, earning recognition in directing, editing, and animation.
Our collective experience in filmmaking, education, and community organization equips us to produce a high-quality, short-form series within the residency's time frame. Our research and storytelling expertise ensure the series will be compelling and historically accurate. Our passion for sharing the experiences of underrepresented voices makes us an invaluable asset, capable of delivering a resonant and meaningful project.
Production Plan
Our team began simultaneous development and production in November 2024 with Roslyn Harmon in Golden Valley, Minnesota. We continued our progress by filming with Lakota Harden in South Dakota in January 2025, and Manal Omar in March 2025.
These stories have just begun to take shape and require additional filming to fully capture these important stories.
Our plan is to continue production through 2025 and early 2026 with your help and the assistance of targeted grants and donations. Our goal is to release We Persist to the public and to educational and activist organizations in 2026.
Thank You!
We can’t thank you enough for joining the We Persist team by supporting our film and outreach efforts. We look forward to sharing the finished film with you and hope to see you at one of our community events in the future. All contributions are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, and you will receive a letter reflecting your gift. If your donation comes with a perk, expect a separate message from the producers letting you know when your perk will arrive.
We can’t thank you enough for joining the We Persist team by supporting our film and outreach efforts. We look forward to sharing the finished film with you and hope to see you at one of our community events in the future. All contributions are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, and you will receive a letter reflecting your gift. If your donation comes with a perk, expect a separate message from the producers letting you know when your perk will arrive.
We have designed our donation perks as “Tools for Persisting.” We aim to bring joy and provide meaningful tools for peaceful resisting as a thank you for supporting this significant movement.
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