““We Persist” is a feature-length documentary exploring the transformative journeys of three women of color—Roslyn Harmon, Manal Omar, and Lakota Harden—each working to create meaningful change in their communities despite facing systemic oppression.”

The film highlights their resilience, activism, and pursuit of justice as they tackle the urgent social issues of racial and gender inequality, systemic oppression, and healing through community-based approaches.

Each of these women confronts entrenched power structures in their respective spheres—politics, peacebuilding, and Indigenous rights advocacy—while embodying the belief that transformation is possible through collective action, resilience, and deep empathy. The documentary unfolds in three acts, each dedicated to one of these women’s personal and professional struggles and triumphs.

WE PERSIST honors the strength and perseverance of women leaders who have defied the odds and fought for change.

  • MAYOR ROSLYN HARMON

    The documentary opens with Roslyn Harmon, a mental health practitioner and educator who became the first person of color elected mayor of Golden Valley, Minnesota. Over her two-decade career, Roslyn has championed restorative justice and systemic change. As mayor, she is transforming Golden Valley into a more inclusive and thriving community.

  • MANAL OMAR

    Next, we follow Manal Omar, a Muslim peacebuilder with over 20 years of experience working in some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones. After a public controversy leads to her resignation from the U.S. Institute of Peace, Manal shifts her focus to peacebuilding at home, working to engage religious communities in South Carolina. Through interviews with Manal and experts, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the ethical challenges faced by peacebuilders and the difficult balance between advocacy and perceived partisanship.

  • LAKOTA HARDEN

    The film closes with Lakota Harden, a Native American leader whose work spans four decades. From her early days as a youth representative on the Pine Ridge reservation to her leadership in Native organizations, Lakota has become a beacon of justice, healing, and empowerment. The documentary highlights her tireless fight against the legacy of the Indian boarding school system and its continuing effects on Indigenous communities. It also explores the profound healing power of ancient practices and cultural reclamation in overcoming generational trauma.