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On Monday's show of May 19, 2025  Elaine B. Holtz comments:  I have a special guest this morning. Joining me on the phone is Starhawk. With all that is transpiring I thought it would be a promising idea to talk about her 13 Principles for a Welcoming Movement. It is an amazing piece and a shout out to the Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County for printing this information in their March April Newsletter. I encourage you to check out their website, https://www.pjcsoco.org/ . This organization is a great source of information for active peace work.

Juneteenth is approaching. Freedom Festival is from June 19th to July 4th every year, with discussion groups scheduled all year, see description at https://freedomfestivalusa.org/ .  The Sonoma County MLK/HJuneteenth Festival is on Saturday June 14th at a new venue, Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA.

No Kings Day nationwide protests is on June 14th. See Announcements on below.

2. Our Guest Starhawk shares her journey from a college project on witches to founding spiritually grounded, feminist activism. Her discovery of nature-based, goddess-centered spirituality contrasted sharply with her male-dominated religious upbringing and led to co-founding the Reclaiming tradition—blending activism, ecology, and spirit.

She discusses the “13 Principles for a Welcoming Movement,” created to address how leftist movements often alienate newcomers through ideological rigidity. Starhawk urges movements to be inclusive, grounded in shared purpose, and kind. She emphasizes welcoming people with patience, using accessible language over academic jargon, and educating through organizing.

Our host Elaine B. Holtz reflects on her own awakening through women’s studies and Starhawk’s Spiral Dance ritual. Key principles include “Organizing is educating” and “Be kind,” with kindness framed as essential to resistance.

SStarhawk concludes by inviting listeners to her Earth Activist Training programs, promoting healing through permaculture and community, and calls for a just world rooted in compassion and connection.

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On Monday's show of May 5, 2025  Elaine B. Holtz comments: Happy Belated Mother’s Day! On May 11, we honored mothers worldwide with a special show dedicated to reflecting on the original purpose of Mother’s Day. Rooted in activism, the day was envisioned by abolitionist Julia Ward Howe as “Mother’s Peace Day,” a call for women to unite against war. She organized events in Boston and penned the Mother’s Day Proclamation, which urged women to protect their children from violence and promote peace. Co-host Andrea Hall, PhD, joined this year’s show, where we played Howe’s original proclamation, shared our reflections, and read Rivera Sun’s modern Mother’s Day Proclamation for Code Pink. We concluded with a reading of my poem I Am Woman, I Am All Women. While modern traditions of flowers and gifts are meaningful, it’s vital to remember the holiday’s roots in justice and peace. If children are our future, then we must continue to raise our voices for a better world.

2. Interview of our Host Elaine B Holtz by our Guest Co-Host Dr. Andrea Hall:  In this heartfelt Mother’s Day interview, Dr. Andrea Hall speaks with Elaine B. Holtz, host of Women’s Spaces, about her transformative journey. Born in 1940 in East Los Angeles into an unorthodox Jewish family, Elaine grew up in a diverse neighborhood that shaped her early values. Her life changed dramatically at age 30, during the Vietnam War, when she returned to school and pursued journalism, later earning a Master’s degree. A deep friendship with her neighbor Nancy Rogers led to meaningful involvement with the Black community and events like Juneteenth. Elaine shares stories of growth, empathy, and breaking cultural barriers, including a moving hospital experience that underscored the universal need for kindness. Her studies in ethnic and women’s issues helped her confront past biases and become a passionate activist. Now based in Sonoma County, Elaine encourages others to embrace lifelong learning, self-discovery, and compassion as tools for healing and unity.

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On Monday's show of May 5, 2025  Elaine B. Holtz comments:

Joining me in the studio are Kimberly "Kim" Caldewey and Robin Latham, key organizers of the Santa Rosa protests held May 1–5, organized by Community United to Resist Fascism (CURF). We’ll discuss these inspiring events, which align with this show’s mission to empower and encourage community action.

Today marks two important occasions. First, Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated in Roseland at 650 Sebastopol Road from 4–9 p.m. Despite fears of ICE interference, Councilwoman Caroline Banuelos and her team courageously chose to move forward, showing strength in the face of intimidation.

Second, we honor National Nurses Week from May 6–12, recognizing the vital contributions of nurses nationwide. This year’s theme is The Power of Nurses™, celebrating their dedication to patient care and community health.

In a time when fear is used to suppress voices, these celebrations and acts of protest reflect the enduring power of courage, community, and faith in “We the People.”

2. Interview with our Guests Robin Latham and Kim Caldewey: In the Women’s Spaces interview, host Elaine B. Holtz speaks with activists Kimberly Caldewey and Robin Latham about organizing a five-day protest in Santa Rosa (May 1–5) through Community United to Resist Fascism (CURF). Caldewey, a former healthcare worker, describes how her activism grew from a belief in healthcare as a right and her work with the Peace and Justice Center. Latham shares her political roots and how a retreat with activist Starhawk inspired a shift toward coalition-building, leading to CURF's formation—uniting over 46 groups.

Both emphasize collaboration over individual agendas and highlight the importance of courage, solidarity, and recognizing privilege in resisting fascism. They discuss ideological challenges within the coalition but note their shared commitment to justice. Highlights included a medical march and a child singing “You Are My Sunshine.” The interview closes with a call to action, urging community involvement through local platforms like the Peace and Justice Center and SOCO Resist.

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On Monday's show of April 28, 2025  Elaine B. Holtz comments: On this episode of Women’s Spaces, host Elaine B. Holtz welcomes artist and activist Nikki Dohn, who has long advocated for women’s and children’s rights. Elaine opens the show with a touching birthday tribute to her daughter Susan Jensen. The episode highlights a week of nonviolent protests organized by Community United to Resist Fascism (CURF) in Santa Rosa, from May 1–5, responding to executive actions seen as threats to constitutional rights. Although a CURF organizer couldn’t join due to technical issues, Nikki Dohn shares her support and reflects on recent protests. Key events include a May 1 labor and immigrant rights march, a May 2 Veterans’ Rally, a Critical Mass Rally on May 3, Palestine Solidarity Sunday on May 4, and Cinco de Mayo activities on May 5. The protests emphasize civic engagement, resistance to injustice, and community unity. More information is available via the Peace & Justice Center and this show’s webpage under Announcements.

2. Interview with our Guest Nikki Dohn:  Nikki Dohn shares her unconventional life journey, including work on shrimp boats, redwood tree crews, and careers in real estate, astrology, and administration. She reflects on past relationships, embracing independence from a young age and later finding love again. Nikki credits her boldness to her Aries spirit and a deep belief in the universe’s movement toward love and evolution, inspired by Eastern philosophies like those of Paramahansa Yogananda. The conversation explores the intersection of personal healing and political activism. Nikki and Elaine stress the maternal responsibility to protect future generations and the planet. They discuss the urgency of civic engagement, highlighting recent protests by Community United to Resist Fascism (CURF). Nikki warns against voter apathy and suppression, urging everyday action—calling representatives, attending rallies, and connecting with neighbors—as ways to combat fear and create change.