Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

In 1970, a small group of women holds a consciousness-raising rap (i.e., discussion) session in a church basement. The music that opens this scene is "R-E-S-P-E-C-T."

Two women are setting up for the meeting. Jill is a 40-year-old neatly dressed suburban housewife. Fran is a 30-year-old lesbian in Army fatigues. A 17-year-old named Becky joins them for the first time, wearing jeans and a poncho. Fran and Jill hug her immediately.

Susan and Heidi arrive. Susan is a member of this group, and Heidi is visiting her in Ann Arbor. All the members welcome and hug, but when they all sit, Heidi keeps her chair a little outside the circle. When Heidi explains that she is just visiting, the outspoken Fran challenges her to show up as a sister to the group, not just a visitor. Heidi agrees to do so...