Archived Radio Show

May 26, 2025

Original Radio Show  ID:
WSA250526

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 our Host, Elaine B. Holtz,

2a. Guest Madonna Feather Cruz, Advocate for Justice for and Prevention of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)

2b. Guest Renalda Joy Cruz, Theater Arts Student

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1. Commentary by our Host, Elaine B. Holtz: Joining me in the studio today is Madonna Feather Cruz who is a distinguished Native American woman living with disabilities proud advocate for Native wellness, raising awareness about the critical issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and cultural preservation Madonna is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes. This is the third time I have had Madonna on the show with me. Her commitment to making a difference in her community and beyond has earned her widespread recognition. She has dedicated her life to championing causes close to her heart.

Also joining me in the studio is Costume designer and winner of the 2024 Diversity in Business Awards Reynalda Joy Cruz who is the loving daughter of Madonna. This is the second show she has been on, and it is so wonderful to converse with a young woman who is involved like her other. I am proud to have them both in the studio with me. Together We represent four generation of women.

This show is so important to all of us at KBBF. We are excited to announce that we are having a Fund Raiser for KBBF and hope all my Women's Spaces listeners will participate with me. Dr. Harriet Fraad, a regular guest on Women's Spaces, made a promo for this fundraiser:

Today is Memorial Day. I would also like to remember those non-soldiers who died as a result of war. We need to work for peace and teach our children peacemaking. 

2. Our Guests, Madonna Feather Cruz, a respected Native American leader, and her daughter Reynalda Joy Cruz, a theater artist and advocate speak with with our host Elaine B. Holtz in this insightful interview on Women's Spaces.  Madonna shares her upbringing shaped by her grandmother’s discipline and cultural teachings, which forged her strong identity and community leadership. She now works to uplift Native youth through Indian education and cultural empowerment, achieving record graduation rates.

Reynalda reflects on growing up as a Native and Chicana woman in Sonoma County, often facing racial ambiguity. Her experiences inspired her to run for student government and pursue theater arts to express identity and advocate for underrepresented voices.

A major focus is the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Madonna emphasizes that prevention starts at home—with love, structure, and high expectations. Her parenting approach, grounded in compassion and cultural values, aims to break cycles of neglect and violence.
The discussion also highlights the challenges Native families face, such as housing discrimination and cultural misrepresentation. Madonna stays connected to her heritage through gratitude practices, traditional songs, and leadership in the Suscol Intertribal Council. Reynalda connects through wearing Native jewelry and costume designing for local theater, encouraging others to support live arts and representation.

Elaine emphasizes self-responsibility, civic engagement, and the power of generational wisdom, drawing parallels to her own immigrant background. The women discuss the vital role of community radio, like KBBF, especially as federal funding for public broadcasting declines. Reynalda urges listeners to support these platforms, and Madonna promotes participation in Suscol’s events and meditation classes led by Charlie Toledo.

The interview is a powerful call for awareness, cultural competency, and the ongoing work of healing and building resilient, inclusive communities rooted in Native identity and activism.

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About our Guest: Madonna Feather Cruz is a distinguished Native American woman living with disabilities, whose unwavering commitment to making a difference in her community and beyond has earned her widespread recognition. As a proud advocate for Native wellness, raising awareness about the critical issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and cultural preservation, she has dedicated her life to championing causes close to her heart.
In addition to her advocacy work, Madonna was an influential cultural ambassador, bridging the gap between traditional practices and the modern world. Her eloquence and insightful presentations have garnered acclaim. She is a 3rd Generaltion member of Suscol Intertribal Council.

Guest Links:

 Madonna Feather Cruz's website:  www.madonnafeather.com

Suscol InterTribal Council website:  https://suscolcouncil.org/

 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)  https://www.bia.gov/service/mmu/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people-crisis

About out Guest: Renalda Cruz is a resident costume designer at the Cinnabar theater in Sonoma County. This role has allowed her to blend creativity with storytelling, which to her is the true purpose of costume design. She believes that every individual can be empowered to express themselves freely, enabling them to realize their full potential. Renalda loves spending my time dancing, scrapbooking, exploring new restaurants, shopping, biking, and watching films. In 2024 she was awarded the Diversity in Business Award by the North Bay Business Journal. She is also the proud daughter of Madonna Feather Cruz.

Reference Links:

Santa Rosa JC Theatre Arts:  https://theatrearts.santarosa.edu/

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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 Birthdays:

May 25, 1887 (1943) – Sue Shelton White, Tennessee suffragist, attorney, and general counsel who participated in National Woman Party’s Washington demonstrations, burning an effigy of President Wilson in front of the White House on Feb. 9, 1919. She helped write Tennessee’s first married women’s property bill, an old age pension act, and a mother’s pension act

May 27, 1907 (1964) – Rachel Carson, scientist and environmentalist, wrote Silent Spring which became a cornerstone of the modern environmental protection movement.

May 31, 1912 (1997) – Chien-Shiung Wu, renowned physicist, first Chinese American elected to National Academy of Science (1958), first woman elected President of American Physical Society (1975), received National Medal of Science (1975).

May 31, 1924 (1985) – Patricia Harris, lawyer and ambassador, first African American woman to hold a Cabinet position, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare (1979-83), serve as an Ambassador (Luxembourg, 1965), and head a law school (Howard University, 1969'

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Announcements  

Monday, June 2, 2025 11 AM # repeats 11 PM PT, the show is a repeat of our show of 5/19/25 that features our guest Starhawk on her 13 Principles for a Welcoming Movement.  Radio KBBF 89.1 FM, North SF Bay or live streaming at https://kbbf.org/live  

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Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 10 AM PT, the show is a repeat of our show of 5/19/25 that features our guest Starhawk on her 13 Principles for a Welcoming Movement   Radio KPCA 103.3 FM, Petaluma, CA. https://petalumacommunityaccess.org/kpca 

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Wednesdays, June 4 - 25, 2025, 6-7 PM PDT, Interactive Discussions on Living and Working in Community, Virtual Meeting. Online series guided by Starhawk and Charles Williams, a mixed format of presentation and group conversations.
June 4th: Self-Care
June 11th: Negotiation in Community
June 18th: Meeting Facilitation
June 25th: Dealing with Difficult People Click Here to register..

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June 14, 2025, 10 AM to 6 PM, MLK/Juneteenth Festival, (new venue) Old Courthouse  Square, Santa Rosa, CA. Free and Family Friendly. Be sure to visit our Women's Spaces booth shared with Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow, The Vendor booth application date has been extended to June 1st. Please apply now if you'd like to highlight your business at the event: https://www.sonomacountyjuneteenth.com/vendors-application .

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Saturday, June 14, 2025, 11 AM to 3 PM, No Kings - Mass Protest Nationwide, See for more info and how to get involved in Sonoma County at https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblesonomacounty/event/785323/ and nationwide find an event at https://www.nokings.org/

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Thursday, June 19, 2025, 12:30 - 1:30 PM Freedom Festival: Opening Conversation, Free Virtual event, see https://freedomfestivalusa.org/events/  

Freedom Festival is from June 19th to July 4th every year, with discussion groups scheduled all year, see description at https://freedomfestivalusa.org/.

Thursday, June 19, 2025, 7 9 PM, Juneteenth Table Reading Play written & directed by Enid Pickett, Hybrid event, In-person:New Vintage Church 3300 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA. Donations accepted, A Table Reading Play about love. Love of Family, Faith, and Freedom Three acts: 1865-1963-2025. A black family's journey of struggle and survival living in the USA. Experience this event in person or watch it streaming live. A second reading will occur on June 20th.  see https://freedomfestivalusa.org/events

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Ongoing:

Every Wednesday the Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County (PJCSC) issues new weekly list of events and links to community non-profit organizations. It includes ongoing peace and human rights rallies and protests, and those sponsored by the  Community United to Resist Fascism (CURF) of which PJCSC is a member : Website www.pjcsoco.org

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Every Sunday, Palestine Support Sunday, 2- 4 pm, Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA

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Every Thursday, Rally for Veterans Health Benefits, Protesting Potential Cuts to VA Funding, VA Center, 2285 Challenger Way, Santa Rosa, CA

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Take action every day - Calendar: https://indivisiblesoco.org/calendar/

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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 Woen's Wax Works) - www.alixdobkin.com

For Those Who Dream, sung by Janne Shenandoah & A.Paul Ortega, from the album Songs of Native American Women  (2014 Canyon Records)

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For music purchasing opportunity, supporting the artists: