In 1970, when the United States was ruled by men, Bella Abzug challenged the status quo, battling for credit cards for women, equality for the LGBTQ community and sacrificed her own political ambitions for future generations of female leadership.

“Bella!” is the latest film from Director Jeff L. Lieberman (The Amazing Nina Simone, Re-Emerging: The Jews of Nigeria) and re-introduces viewers to the remarkable, under-told story of Congresswoman Bella Abzug (1920-1998) – the frank, no-holds barred activist who transformed from an outside agitator to an influential member of Congress.

Representing New York’s West Village and surrounding neighborhoods, Bella became more than a New York figure, but that of a national symbol of a woman fighting for equality in a largely, white, male boys’ club. One of only 12 women (out of 435 members) to enter Congress in 1971, Bella became even more recognizable by her trademark hat, charismatic wit, Bronx swagger and her ability to reach across the aisle. Through her years in Congress, she passed legislation granting women the right to have credit cards in their own name, introduced curb cuts for the disabled, transformed federal highway dollars into mass transportation funding – all while regularly standing on the Capitol Steps demanding the end of the Vietnam War and calling for Richard Nixon‘s impeachment.

Check out this amazing film at a theater near you!