PRESS RELEASE:

A formidable figure, standing at 5'8" and weighing over 300 pounds, Cheryl Haworth struggles to defend her champion status as her lifetime weightlifting career comes to its inevitable end.

Strong!, a one-hour documentary by Juliet Wyman, chronicles Haworth's journey and the challenges of an elite athlete, exploring popular notions of power, strength, beauty and health.

As part of its Women and Girls Lead Free Film Series, KUED will screen the film in partnership with the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art on Wednesday, August 8 at 7 p.m. at the Museum, 20 S. West Temple. The documentary tells the story of Cheryl's weightlifting career, the rigors of training for competition and her feelings about being big in a culture that values small women.

A panel discussion follows the film, addressing issues including about body image, the cultural perspective of women in sports as well as the impact of Title IX on women's sports in Utah.

Panelists include:

Norma Carr, who has advocated for Title IX, landmark legislation mandating that women should have an equal opportunity to participate in and receive scholarships for athletics. She was the first woman in Utah to referee a boys basketball game. She is the first and only female Director of Athletics at Salt Lake Community College. She was inducted into the University of Utah Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

Dave Chiu has been involved in Olympic Weightlifting since 1987. He has competed at 10 national events, winning five medals including a Collegiate National Championship and U.S. Olympic Festival silver medal. He has coached weightlifters at national-level events, where they won medals on nine occasions including two championships and several national records. On a state-level, Coach Chiu’s lifters have won dozens of championships and medals and set many state records.

Susie Porter is Director of Gender Studies Program at the University of Utah. Her research and teaching includes Mexican women's history. She is currently writing a history of secretaries in Mexico. She also teaches at the Westside Leadership Institute, a community improvement workshop and network for Spanish speakers.

Rebecca Ballstaedt played Division 1 softball and rugby for the University of Utah and was the captain of the University's Women’s Rugby League from 2001-2003. She competed in the 2008 CrossFit games, finishing 28th in the world. Ballstaedt currently owns a CrossFit gym where she is a coach, trainer and nutrition consultant.

KUED’s Women and Girls Lead initiative is a multiyear campaign to educate, empower and connect Utahns on issues facing women and girls worldwide. Part of a national PBS project, the initiative combines independent documentaries, television, new media and partnerships with a variety of Utah organizations to amplify the voices of women and girls who have overcome major obstacles in order to act as leaders.

KUED is collaborating with more than 20 organizations to challenge ideas and stereotypes and to educate and empower women. The Women and Girls Lead Free Film Series is held on the second Wdnesday of each month at 7 p.m. at UMOCA.

To learn more about KUED's Women and Girls Lead Initiative and the free filmn series, contact Jacqui Voland at jvoland@kued.org.

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