Genre
Synopsis
SHE DARED TO DREAM: AYANNA PRESSLEY offers a powerful and timely portrait of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, one of the most courageous, principled, and visionary voices in American politics. The film captures her unwavering fight for justice, from her early days as a Boston City Council member to her current role as a bold legislator leading the charge against extremist efforts like Project 2025. As the first Black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts, Pressley has never waited for permission to speak up or take action—she has consistently challenged systemic inequity with clarity, compassion, and conviction. Directed by Abby Ginzberg (NAACP Image Award Winner for Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power and produced by Sabrina Schmidt Gordon (To the End, Seeds), the film reflects the urgency of this political moment and the need to spotlight women who are not just breaking glass ceilings, but reimagining the institutions themselves. Pressley’s work to expand access to abortion, defend Black maternal health, and protect vulnerable communities is part of a broader vision for justice, one rooted in lived experience and community power.
Bio
Abby Ginzberg, a Peabody award-winning director, has been producing compelling documentaries about race and social justice for over 35 years. Her latest film, Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter (co-directed with Christy Carpenter) premiered at SXSW in March, 2024 in the Documentary Spotlight section. Her short film, Judging Juries, premiered at the Pan African Film Festival in February, 2024, and won an Outstanding Achievement award from the Accolade Global Film Awards. Her film, Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power, won the 2022 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Documentary. This intimate and compelling film, about Representative Barbara Lee, who is best known for her lone NO vote against the use of military force following the 9/11 attacks, is available on Amazon Prime and Starz. Abby also produced A Double Life, directed by Catherine Masud, which premiered at the 2023 Mill Valley Film Festival and won an Audience Favorite award.
Abby is also the co-producer of American Justice on Trial, co-directed by Andrew Abrahams and Herb Ferrette, which premiered at the 2022 San Francisco International Film Festival, and won Best Short documentary from the Pan African Film Festival. Waging Change, her 2019 documentary, is about the challenges faced by tipped servers who are forced to rely on their tips and the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13 per hour. It was broadcast on public television in February and March 2021.
Screening History
World Premiere - Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, Aug. 2025
Credits
Director/Producer-Abby Ginzberg
Editor-Stephanie Mechura
Producer-Sabrina Schmidt Gordon
Cast member-Rep. Ayanna Pressley
Cast members-Rep. Maxine Waters; Rep. Lateefah Simon; Rep. Jim McGovern
