The documentary film, “Social Security: 90 Years Strong,” will make its television debut on PBS member station Maryland Public Television on Saturday, March 28, at 8:30 p.m. The half-hour film tells the story of America’s most successful social insurance program – from its inception in 1935 to today! The program will also be available to view live and on demand via MPT’s online video player and the free PBS app. The film is sponsored by AARP.
In keeping with International Women’s Month, the film highlights the role of the first female cabinet member, Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. Perkins was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and tasked with creating a retirement security program, earning her the nickname “The Mother of Social Security.”
The film features interviews with some of the nation’s eminent Social Security experts. Interviewees include FDR’s grandson, Jim Roosevelt; Senator Charles Grassley; former Senator Tom Harkin; former CEO of the National Academy of Social Insurance Bill Arnone; Tracey Gronniger of Justice in Aging; Giovanna Gray Lockhart, former executive director of the Frances Perkins Center; and Social Security historian and president of Social Security Works, Nancy Altman, among others.
The documentary was directed by Walter J. Gottlieb and produced by the nonprofit National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, which was founded by FDR’s son, James Roosevelt, Sr. The executive producer is Max Richtman. It will be offered to public television stations across the country by the NETA programming service beginning in April.
The original 46-minute version of the documentary is streaming online and available for download on Vimeo.
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Media inquiries contact:
Walter Gottlieb