The American Association of University Women (AAUW) will present the award-winning Sundance documentary "MissRepresentation," Thursday, March 21, at 1 p.m., in the Ball Visitors Center at Sandhills Community College. >

Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the documentary challenges the media's negative portrayal of women and girls and how this contributes to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence.

A roundtable discussion, with leaders from local organizations, seeking solutions to major problems affecting youth and women, facilitated by Dr. Christine Ganis, will be coupled with the screening.

Leaders from 30 local organizations have been invited to participate.

This event is hoped to spark small actions that will ultimately lead to larger-scale change.

"The goal of the discussion is to identify some of the major problems affecting area youth, and to seek solutions by working in collaboration with other concerned organizations within our community," says Ganis. "It is our hope that this event will serve as a springboard for future collaborations, and lead to a community initiative to address issues our youth face today. We expect to find ways we can complement each other's efforts organizationally. You've got to see it to be it, exemplifies what we hope to achieve with youth."

This event is being spearheaded by the local Sandhills/Southern Pines Branch AAUW, which has been an integral part of the area for 36 years. Since its founding, the local AAUW chapter has co-sponsored the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series, initiated the Sally K. Ride Math and Science Awards, and provided an annual scholarship to a Sandhills Community College student continuing on into a four-year degree program.

"This event exemplifies the AAUW mission of advancing equity through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research," says Dee Fordree, chairwoman of the event.

Limited seating is available. For more information call (910) 235-9244 or email katharyn.p.greene@gmail. com.