“Harriet” producer Debra Martin Chase is speaking out about the power and responsibilities that come along with being a producer in Hollywood. “First and foremost, you have to entertain because you have to get people into the theater. But for me, this is almost a pulpit, and there are messages that I want to get into the world that I think are important, that will inspire people, that will maybe even change somebody’s life,” she explained while participating in a producer roundtable organized by The Hollywood Reporter.

Martin Chase elaborated on what drew her to “Harriet,” a biopic about the civil rights activist and abolitionist. She described the Cynthia Erivo-starrer as being “about a woman who couldn’t read, couldn’t write, and was destined to be a slave for her entire life. She decided, ‘No, that’s not going to be my destiny.’ And if people can get that message, that they can control what happens in their life, that’s an important thing. That’s worth fighting for,” she said.

“Harriet” is in theaters now. The Kasi Lemmons-directed pic has grossed over $36 million.

When we asked Lemmons what she’d like audiences to think about after seeing the film she also emphasized “Harriet’s” inspirational message. “I’d like people to be inspired to realize what can be achieved through sheer force of will and courage. It is hard these days to think that we can make a difference. The problems of the world seem so monumental, we are kind of bowed under, and we have this temptation to kind of keep our heads in the sand,” she observed. “I want this generation to be motivated by these real-life heroines.”

“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “The Princess Diaries” are among Martin Chase’s other credits.