By Kurt Stand
Music is rooted in community, and building community is at the heart of social justice. Faith Petric—born in a log cabin in Idaho in 1915—embodied both for nearly a century. Her voice remained strong and defiant until her final months in 2013. The new documentary Singing for Justice: The Faith Petric Story recounts her life and legacy, and screened this past Monday at Greenbelt’s New Deal Café before a crowd of about 100 people—50 in person and 50 via Zoom.
Petric’s music, inspired by church hymns and popular tunes from her youth, was shaped by the lived experiences of the Great Depression, the Spanish Civil War, shipyard work during World War II, and the challenges of being a single mother during the McCarthy era. Through it all, she never gave up. Her resilient spirit was captured in a verse heard in the film:
You ain't done nothin' if you ain't been called a red
If you've marched or agitated, then you're bound to hear it said
So you might as well ignore it, or love the word instead
'Cause you ain't been doin' nothin' if you ain't been called a red
Directed by Estelle Freedman and Christie Herring, the documentary traces Petric’s renewed commitment to music and activism after she joined the 1965 civil rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. A few years later, she retired from paid work and dedicated the rest of her life to singing, encouraging others to sing, and creating space for music and community wherever she went.
Whether it was church music, spirituals, light-hearted country tunes, or songs of the labor, civil rights, and peace movements, Petric brought music to the people—not through concert halls or major festivals, but by fostering shared humanity and mutual respect. That, at its core, is what organizing is all about.
The film’s power was evident in the discussion that followed. While director Estelle Freedman answered questions about the filmmaking process, many attendees also shared personal stories about moments when music touched their lives, and reflected on themes of courage and commitment. The evening concluded with the DC Labor Chorus—led by Elise Bryant—singing Solidarity Forever, including a newly added verse that speaks to the struggles of today:
They divide us by our color, they divide us by our tongue,
They divide us men and women, they divide us old and young;
But they’ll tremble at our voices when they hear these verses sung,
For the union makes us strong.
Follow-Up
For more information about the film, visit: singingforjustice.com or facebook.com/FaithPetricFilm
Reel and Meal at the New Deal Café is a monthly film series focused on environmental, social justice, and animal rights issues. Every May, Reel and Meal co-sponsors a labor-themed film with the Labor Heritage Foundation as part of the annual DC Labor FilmFest. More at: facebook.com/reelandmealNDC