Archived Radio Show

March 3, 2025

Original Radio Show  ID:
WSA250303

Listen to the Show on the Mp3 Player below

Duration 57 minutes

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Featuring

Click the Name to access the Segment below

1. Commentary by Elaine B. Holtz,  Host of Women's Spaces (Due to the hindrance of a cataract, Ken Norton will read the Commentary prepared by Elaine.)

2. Guest: Dr. Jill Zinckgraf, Executive Director, National Women's History Alliance

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1. Commentary by our Host, Elaine B. Holtz (Read by Ken Norton:  Happy Women’s History Month and to begin the celebration I have a special guest joining me on the phone, Dr. Jill Zinckgraf, the new interim Executive Director of the National Women’s History Alliance found here in Sonoma County.

For the past decade we have celebrated Women’s History Month. I have interviewed the former Ex director and one of the co-founders of the National Women’s Alliance Molly MacGregor, Molly is stepping down from this position.
A special shout out to Molly for not only being a co-founder but for having held the position of Executive Director for forty-three years and graciously insisted Jill have this opportunity. For Jill to be on the show. I totally agreed and it is an honor to be introducing her to our audience. A huge thank you to Molly MacGregor who will still be involved on board for helping to spearhead this important program. We will be talking about Women’s History Alliance which began as the Women’s History Project and the origin and changes she has seen and concerns around women’s equality and choice for women in 2025 and moving forward.

The National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) proudly presents the theme for 2025: “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” This theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations — both past and present.

2. Our Guest, Dr. Jill Kracov Zinckgraf, joined Women’s Spaces with Elaine B. Holtz, and shared her journey into the women's movement and how she became involved with the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA). She highlighted her background in interpersonal violence prevention, her experience leading nonprofits, and her deep passion for women's history, which began during her time studying and teaching Women’s Studies.

Elaine and Jill discussed the importance of preserving women’s history, especially in today's climate, where there is increasing pushback against the progress women have made. Jill emphasized the ongoing need for visibility, ensuring women's contributions are recognized and celebrated beyond just Women’s History Month.

They also addressed the challenges women continue to face, including efforts to suppress their voices and rights. Jill noted that historically, every time women make progress, there is often a societal backlash, but history has shown that persistence is key.

Key Takeaways:

• The Importance of Women’s History: Women’s achievements are often erased or ignored. The NWHA works to ensure their stories are told and celebrated year-round, not just during Women’s History Month.

• Backlash Against Progress: Jill noted that women’s rights face pushback whenever progress is made. Understanding history helps in continuing the fight for equality.

• The Power of Speaking Out: Women must gather, support one another, and use their voices to demand change.

• The Role of Men: While women need safe spaces, men can also stand alongside them in the fight for equality.

• Taking Action: Jill encouraged women to support NWHA by:

  • Volunteering, including joining the upcoming Speakers Bureau

  • Becoming a member or donor
    Attending webinars and events

  • Promoting women’s history throughout the year

  • Concerns for Future Generations: Both Jill and Elaine expressed concerns about the future of women’s rights and the importance of advocacy for daughters and granddaughters.

• Call to Action:

  • Jill encouraged listeners to visit nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org to learn more, get involved, and support the mission of preserving women’s history.

Elaine closed by affirming that women’s voices must be heard, and Jill reassured listeners that the fight for gender equality continues every day through organizations like NWHA.

About our Guest:  Dr. Jill Zinckgraf is the Executive Director of the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA), a leading organization dedicated to promoting and preserving women’s history. With a background in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and advocacy, she has championed initiatives that amplify women's voices and historical contributions. Under her leadership, NWHA has expanded its digital presence, strengthened partnerships, and launched impactful educational campaigns. Dr. Zinckgraf is committed to ensuring that women’s history is integrated into mainstream narratives and recognized as essential to understanding our past and shaping our future. She frequently speaks on gender equity, historical preservation, and community engagement. Her work is driven by a passion for social justice, education, and the power of storytelling to inspire change.

Guest Links:

 National Women's History Alliance website:  https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/

Contact Dr. Jill Zinckgraf at: jill@nationalwomenshistoryalliiance.org

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Our History Is Our Strength

Check out important dates to remember in Herstory at the National Women's History Alliance, where the date descriptions were sourced unless otherwise indicated.

Special thank you to the National Women’s History Alliance for making women’s history alive. Shout out to Co-Founder and Retiring Executive Director, Molly McGregor who will be on the show when we celebrate Women’s History Month in March for making the fabulous list of Women in History where I get most of the info I present in this Herstory segment.

Herstory Events:

March 1, 1978 – Women’s History Week is first observed in Sonoma County, California.

March 1, 1987 – Congress passes a resolution designating March as Women’s History Month.

March 3, 1913 – Women’s Suffrage Parade in Washington, DC, where over eight thousand women gathered to demand a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to vote.

March 4, 1933 – Frances Perkins becomes United States Secretary of Labor, the first female member of the United States Cabinet.

March 8 – International Women’s Day, whose origins trace back to protests in the U.S. and Europe to honor and fight for the political rights for working women.

Herstory Birthdays:

March 1, 1945 (1997) – Nancy Woodhull, editor of USA Today (1975-90), promoted women for leadership positions in public and private sectors with the motto, “Do something to help another woman every day,” founded “Women, Men and Media,” a research and outreach project with Betty Friedan in 1988.

March 4, 1948 (2005) – Jean O’Leary, lesbian and gay rights activist, founder of Lesbian Feminist Liberation, one of the first lesbian activist groups in the women’s movement, was an early member and co-director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, co-founded National Coming Out Day.

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Announcements  

Thursday, March 6, 2025, 10:00 AM - International Women's Day webinar with Israeli, Palestinian, and international women changemakers, RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aR-xKvyGTZqokuVw15JKOw?#/registration 

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Monday, March 17 2025 11 AM # repeats 11 PM PT, the show will feature Dr. Kim Hester Williams, on Women's Rights in Literature. Radio KBBF 89.1 FM, North SF Bay or live streaming at https://kbbf.org/live

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Monday, March 17, 2024, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Zoom, NOW-Sonoma County Chapter Monthly Meeting. Elaine Rock, a well-known local author, is doing a special presentation at the March meeting! She recently published a book on Dusty Roads, a pioneer in the feminist movement. who lived many years in Sonoma County. Click Here for NOW Event Page for Zoom instructions. 

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Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Peace and Justice Center issues new weekly list of events and links to community non-profit organizations. It includes ongoing peace protests: PJC website www.pjcsoco.org

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Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 10 AM PT, the show will feature a repeat of Monday's show with our guest Dr. Kim Hester Williams, on Women's Rights in Literature.  Radio KPCA 103.3 FM, Petaluma, CA. https://petalumacommunityaccess.org/kpca   

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Ongoing:

The North Bay Organizing Project - Rapid Response Project

https://www.northbayop.org/nbrrn

Music Selections

The Opening and Closing Theme song The Woman in Your Life is You is done with permission of the Composer and Singer Alix Dobkin ((August 16, 1940 – May 19, 2021) Alix Dobkin death was just announced - Thank you for all you did for Lesbians to be recognized and Women to be honored. May you rest in peace. See our Interview with Alix Dobkin on 12/1/2014 and our Memorial to Alix Dobkin on 5/24/2021

The Woman in Your Life is You by Alix Dobkin from the album Living with Lavender Jane (2010 Women's Wax Works) - www.alixdobkin.com