American Nightmare/American Dream (Free Screening)

This doc is about the struggles and triumphs of four women who escape poverty, get a college degree, and pave the road for others to follow. The characters must fight eviction, incarceration, domestic violence and homelessness to attain a college degree – dispelling negative stereotypes of people on public assistance. Leyla, formerly-incarcerated, graduated from Columbia University and is now a Soros Justice Fellow. Shawnta is now graduated from Hunter College and working with young people. Pakistani-born Hirah, who had lived in a homeless shelter, is now a research scientist. Becca, born to a mentally ill mother on welfare, overcame early problems to graduate from CUNY and is now at Brooklyn Law School. (USA / 2019 / Directed by Diana M. Devlin & Grace Zinnel, 57 min.)