(bright music) - It was an explosive time.

- Women weren't supposed to speak out like we were.

- Something within them just rebelled.

- And so it was time to take a stand.

(upbeat music) - It was the last straw when they hired another man and wanted us to train him for management position.

We had done this many times in the past and the men would move right up the ladder to management and the women were still down at the bottom, training everybody that came in.

- We felt that we were not being heard.

- And we complained.

- [Interviewer] And what happened?

- We're told we're not all equal.

- We're not all equal, you know?

- We're not all equal, you know?

He said that many times to people.

- We'd be all at the table.

They would turn their back to the table and read newspapers to show that they didn't need to listen to us.

- So we soon found out we were not gonna go anywhere with this.

So that's when we started talking about going on strike.

(bright music) - When I came to first meet with them to ask them if they would be interested in allowing us to do their story, there was some reservation, I'm sure.

- We couldn't believe that they were gonna do this, that it was gonna be anything.

But then Mary Beth Yarrow, and she was from Willmar, so she knew the town, the city, she grew up here.

(bright music) - Documentary is documenting.

All you can do is hold up a camera.

If the situation is interesting and alive, you got something.

- [Interviewer 1] What is your opinion of the women's strike at Citizens National?

- Are you taking my picture?

- [Interviewer 1] Yeah.

- [Bank Staff] When we started with the strike, there was a real sense of excitement.

- We did not think it was going to last long.

- And 10 days and two weeks went by.

We thought they'd have to talk to us.

- But that didn't happen.

The strike continued then for a couple years.

- It got pretty tight.

We weren't getting much money.

- [Interviewer 1] What's the one that's out of your budget right at this point?

- Anything over 23 cents a can, but...

I was looking at the vegetable beef, and that was a little bit more.

(gentle music) - Their quiet kind of bravery.

And this kind of comradery they had was the most important element of this.

(gentle music) - [Bank Staff] We became our own family, in a sense.

- That's what kept us together all that time.

And it of course, we got closer and closer.

- So we don't get together all the time, or see each other all the time, but you feel it once we're back.

- Yep, yep.

- Other people gave up on us, or failed us.

We never gave up.

(gentle music) (audience applauding) - It became a political issue, a social issue, a union issue, and a women's issue, all bundled up into one package.

And we were the package, the eight of us.

- You know what I'd like to do, honey?

I know you're thinking of a question to ask me.

But I would like to read the names.

These are the women of the Willmar Eight.

Doris Boshart, Irene Wallin, Sandi Tremel, Teren Novotny, Sylvia Erickson Koll, Jane Groothius, Shirley Solyntjes, Glennis Terwisscha.

These are the heroines, heroes or heroines, whichever.

(dramatic music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) - [Narrator] "Postcards" is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.

Additional support provided by, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

Mark and Margaret Yackel-Juleen, on behalf of Shalom Hill Farms, a retreat and conference center in a prairie setting near Windom, Minnesota.

On the web at shalomhillfarm.org.

Alexandria, Minnesota, a year-round destination with hundreds of lakes, trails, and attractions for memorable vacations and events.

More information at explorealex.com.

The Lake Region Arts Council's Arts Calendar, an arts and cultural heritage funded digital calendar showcasing upcoming art events and opportunities for artists in West Central Minnesota.

On the web at lrac4calendar.org.

Playing today's new music, plus your favorite hits, 96.7 KRAM, online at 967kram.com.

(bright music)