On October 24, 1975, an entire country experienced an abrupt wake-up call that would change the course of gender equality for women around the world and eventually help pave the way for progress here in Rhode Island.
The awakening happened in Iceland when women, many in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, decided to take a single day off from paid and unpaid work. Schools, newspapers, banks, shops, and even households ground to a halt as 90% of Iceland’s women took to the streets. For the first time, men found themselves juggling the dual responsibilities of work and childcare. That single day exposed just how deeply Iceland’s economy and daily life depended on women’s labor—and it sparked a national reckoning about equality, value, and visibility.
Fifty years later, to honor that historic moment and to emphasize the importance of ongoing conversation to protect and advance policy supporting gender equality, the League of Women Voters of Newport County hosted a screening of The Day Iceland Stood Still at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport. The event featured remarks and a post screening Q&A with the film’s director, Pamela Hogan, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker.
I had the honor of attending the screening and wasn’t surprised to see Angela Lima, former Newport City Council member and Policy and Advocacy Director for the prestigious Women’s Fund of Rhode Island in attendance. As a local trailblazer for gender equality, her presence felt especially meaningful, and I was curious to hear her thoughts on the film.
“The film sparks hope to continue the work, and it’s a reminder of how far women have come,” Lima reflects. “It also makes me sad because we still have far to go.”
At 44, Angela Lima wasn’t yet born when the women of Iceland took to the streets—but that doesn’t make her a stranger to the fight for gender equality.
“Personally, I have been influenced and encouraged by many generations,” Lima shared. “I come from a blended family. My grandmother, Maria Da Cruz, was bi-racial, my dad is Cape Verdean and grew up in Senegal. My mom was born in Seoul. My family is very much the United Nations,” she added with a grin.
“My grandmother’s place was in the home, and she had no opportunity to get an education beyond third grade. She had no say in who she was going to marry, in finances, or education—she felt like she didn’t have a place,” Lima said.
Education and speaking the truth became pillars passed through generations in the Lima family. “My grandmother was instrumental in helping me finish my degree while working, going to college, and raising a child. She was a pillar to me. She shared stories of her own lack of freedom. She was incredibly smart. She earned her GED and eventually her CPA.”
“I come from generations of seamstresses and pastry makers. In my family’s eyes, I was the American dream—and it all meant something. I was surrounded by strong women who spoke the truth, and advocated and gave back to the community. They made sure everyone was OK. We have lost some of that today.”
The women who filled the streets in Iceland in 1975, many now in their 70s, 80s and 90s, aspired to be something more. Their courage redefined what was possible for generations to come. As Lima has learned from experience “the work continues,” and it’s work worth doing.
Yet older women still face structural barriers. According to the US Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau (2023), women aged 65 and older have personal incomes that average only about 63 % of men in the same age group. A lifetime impact of gender inequality doesn’t just vanish at retirement.
Caring about change and actually doing something about it are two very different things. I asked Lima if there was a moment when she stopped waiting for change and decided to become a catalyst for it. She cited a favorite quote by fellow trailblazer, feminist, and change agent, former Texas Governor Ann Richards.
“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu”, Lima said, quoting Richards. “I knew my education and experience in leadership and organizing gave me a message I wanted to carry,” she reflected. “I wanted to make sure I was at that table, because you have to be in the system to really understand it. What gets translated in decision-making isn’t always how we get to the right solutions—and seeing that from the inside changes everything.”
“Anyone who tells you they did it all themselves isn’t telling the full story,” she added with a smile. “The women who came before me, and stood beside me, made me effective. We get the work done.”
“Running for office was that change-agent moment. It put me on the trajectory of thinking about better laws, better systems and how every decision I make can affect the community. Tradition is good, but inertia is not. So if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”
Serving on Newport’s City Council for six years, Angela Lima was the second woman of color ever elected to that role and is also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Her presence at the screening was a meaningful reminder that advancing and protecting gender equality remains ongoing work of representation and inclusion and making sure every voice has a seat at the table.
Today, through her leadership at the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, Lima continues that mission by empowering women and girls to step into leadership, understand how policy is made, and shape it themselves. From advocacy training and micro-grants for women-led organizations, to mentoring the next generation of girls, Lima is helping to keep the movement alive—transforming lessons learned in public service into lasting systems change.
“It starts with conversations. We have to have conversations,” Lima said. “The most interesting thing I learned from running for office is that, at the core, we’re all trying to say the same thing. We have to keep talking. It’s not a partisan conversation when we’re all trying to say the same thing.”
Just like the women in Iceland, change begins when people come together, listen, and keep the conversation going.
“Can we have a conversation?” Lima asked out loud. “I’ll bring you a cup of coffee. Let’s have the conversation. I wonder if people will say yes.”
Change often begins with a simple conversation. The women of Iceland rose above politics with grace, respect and civility and showed the world that they were people who deserved to be heard. They sparked real action.
And it started with a conversation. Coffee anyone?
Helen Hames is an Aging Advisor and Founder of Age Ambassador, where she helps older adults and their families navigate the complex and emotional decisions that come with aging. Her work centers on helping people identify what matters most, whether planning to age at home or exploring senior living options. Helen was honored with the 2025 Senior Champion of the Year Award for her advocacy and personalized guidance that supports older adults in living fully through every season of life.