While Roe v. Wade became a defining symbol of reproductive rights, another landmark decision shaped its legal foundation. ‘The Other Roe,’ a poignant 17-minute documentary, brings that overlooked history into focus.
The film will screen at DOC NYC this Wednesday, November 11. Its screening offers audiences an opportunity to rediscover a pivotal chapter in American history.
DOC NYC, one of the country’s leading documentary film festivals, runs November 11–29. ‘The Other Roe’ will screen at 8:40 pm on Wednesday at the IFC Center in New York City. The screening is part of the festival’s Shorts – Hidden Histories program. A special post-screening Q&A will feature director and producer Wendy Eley Jackson. Executive producers Donia Hames Robinson and Ann Rose will also participate.
At the heart of ‘The Other Roe’ is Doe v. Bolton, the historic Supreme Court case decided alongside Roe v. Wade in 1973. Although Roe entered public consciousness, Doe’s significance remained largely overlooked. Yet its ruling established a broader legal framework for reproductive rights. That framework influenced access to abortion and the interpretation of medical necessity for generations.
Through the documentary, audiences discover the legal and personal struggles behind this consequential decision. The film follows Margie Pitts Hames, a pioneering civil rights attorney. Her courage and legal brilliance helped shape the modern fight for bodily autonomy. Hames challenged entrenched systems of discrimination while confronting powerful political and institutional forces.
‘The Other Roe’ traces her journey through a segregated hospital system and her legal battle against Georgia. Her determination ultimately brought her before the United States Supreme Court. There, she argued a case that would redefine the meaning of medical necessity. The resulting decision expanded the legal understanding of abortion access nationwide.
Using archival footage, intimate interviews, and contemporary reflections, ‘The Other Roe’ reconstructs a story that deserves wider recognition. The movie examines the personal sacrifices behind a landmark legal victory. It also highlights the women whose contributions helped advance reproductive freedom. Their stories remain essential to understanding the broader struggle for equality and bodily autonomy.
For Jackson, bringing this history forward offers an opportunity to challenge historical omissions. She’s the CEO of Auburn Avenue Films, based in Atlanta. She also teaches at UC Santa Barbara and Westmont College. Her work on ‘The Other Roe’ brings renewed attention to a legal milestone and the woman instrumental in its advancement.
The documentary features a distinguished creative team. Sam Pollard, Donia Hames Robinson, Ann Rose and Elisa Gambino serve as executive producers. Neal Broffman serves as the director of photography and editor. Eric Huang composed the film’s music, while Marcello Frisina contributed animation.
‘The Other Roe’s screening at DOC NYC arrives during renewed national debates over reproductive rights. Its historical perspective offers audiences an opportunity to reconsider how legal victories emerge. It also examines how easily important contributions disappear from collective memory. By restoring Hames’s story, the documentary challenges audiences to recognize the people behind historic change.
More than a retrospective, ‘The Other Roe’ is a reclamation of legacy and an examination of justice. It reminds viewers that landmark decisions involve individuals whose courage often goes unrecognized. Their struggles continue to resonate across generations. The film also underscores why preserving overlooked histories remains essential.
With its DOC NYC screening, ‘The Other Roe’ invites audiences to look beyond familiar narratives. It brings a forgotten legal battle and an extraordinary attorney back into public conversation. The November 11 screening promises an opportunity for reflection, discovery, and dialogue. For anyone interested in civil rights, American history and reproductive freedom, this documentary offers a compelling perspective.
For more information on ‘The Other Roe,’ visits its page on DOC NYC’s official website.
