Archived Radio Show

September 19, 2022

Original Radio Show  ID:
WSA220919

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

2. Guest Kerry Benefield, Local Columnist, Press Democrat

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1. Commentary by Elaine B. Holtz:  I am so excited, joining me in the studio is an award-winning journalist and is the local columnist for the Press Democrat in Sonoma County. Benefield was a member of the Press Democrat’s reporting team awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News for the newspaper’s coverage of the deadly wildfires of October 2017.
It is an honor to have her here in the studio. My goal for the interview is to talk about the challenges of being a woman journalist along with inspiring others to seek a career in that area.

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2. Our guest Kerry Benefield shares the challenges and rewards of being a journalist. In 2021 the Press Democrat assigned her to be the local columnist. Kerry stresses the importance of local news to democracy, as it informs us of meetings of the city council, school boards, use of tax monies, and local interesting people. Her most treasured article is the one she did with staff photographer John Burgess on Ralph Harms, a elderly man with cancer who chose death on his own terms with state-sanctioned suicide. Kerry considers curiosity as being an important trait of a journalist, as that is needed every day as she enters a new project, along with leaving her own intents aside to meet the present need. She has a willingness to get out of the office and meet new people. Interviewing new people requires, humanness, along with the willingness to be educated in their field in simple terms.

Kerry Benefield and Elaine B. Holtz in the Radio KBBF Studio - Photo by Ken Norton

About our Guest: Kerry Benefield was raised in Santa Rosa. CA.
She was a co-captain of the women’s soccer team at Cal before graduating with a degree in English. Kerry earned an MA in journalism from City University in London and worked at newspapers in New Mexico and Louisiana before returning to Santa Rosa. Hired at The Press Democrat in Sonoma County in 2003, she has covered transportation, education, and high school sports. Benefield was three times named a national Associated Press Sports Editors top ten columnist.
Benefield was a member of the Press Democrat’s reporting team awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News for the newspaper’s coverage of the deadly wildfires of October 2017.
In 2021, Benefield was named The Press Democrat’s local columnist. That year she won the highest award among columnists in California. Her piece on a Santa Rosa man’s decision to medically hasten his death won first place in the state for writing.

Guest Reference Link: 

Article by Kerry Benefield: Ralph Harms lived by his own rules. It was only natural that he chose to die on his own terms, Press Democrat - click here for article.

Pulitzer Prize awarded to Press Democrat for wildfire coverage, Press Democrat - click here for article.

Guest Links:

 Email of Kerry Benenfield:  kerry.benefield[at]pressdemocrat.com    

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 Herstory

Our history is our strength. Check out important dates to remember in herstory at the National Women's History Alliance

Herstory Event:

September 20, 1973 – Billie Jean King defeats Bobby “No-Broad-Can-Beat-Me” Riggs in the battle of the sexes tennis match.

Herstory Birthdays:

September 21, 1898 (1987) – Frances Albrier, disciple of Marcus Garvey, expanded his vision to include black women, organized waiters in Pullman Company, declared “Don’t Buy Where You Can’t Work,” one of first black women welders in 1942.

September 22, 1899 (1990) – Elsie Allen, preserved and revitalized the culture of the northern California Pomo Indians who made exquisite baskets from native plants.

September 23, 1838 (1927) – Victoria Woodhull, feminist, first woman candidate for U.S. President (1872) for the Equal Rights Party, first woman, with her sister Tennessee, to become members of the NY Stock Exchange (1870’s).

September 23, 1863 (1954) – Mary Church Terrell, outstanding speaker, first president of National Association of Colored Women (1896), picketed in Washington D.C. for woman suffrage and desegregation.

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Announcements  

Carol Goshorn needs help with her new  501(c)(3) non-profit, MCG Empowerment Campaign for Women and Girls. Its mission is to support women who are homeless and to provide grants for women to attend SRJC and SSU. Carol is in need of a website and marketing help. Call Carol at 707-527-7563.

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Saturday, September 24, 2022, 2 PM to 11 PM, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 13th Annual South Park Day & Night Festival, In Memory of Vince Harper.

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Monday, September 26, 11am # repeats 11pm, the show will feature our first guest Erin Rose Solario, cast member of Cabaret showing at the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA, and our second segment guests Kimi Barbosa and Ellen Obstler of the North Bay Organizing Project will discuss IOLERO and Law Enforcement Accountability. Radio KBBF 89.1 FM, North SF Bay or live streaming at https://kbbf.org/live

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  Wednesday, September 28, 11am, repeat of Monday's show, will feature our first guest Erin Rose Solario, cast member of Cabaret showing at the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA, and our second segment guests Kimi Barbosa and Ellen Obstler of the North Bay Organizing Project will discuss IOLERO and Law Enforcement Accountability. Radio KPCA 103.3 FM, Petaluma, CA. https://petalumacommunityaccess.org/kpca 

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Monday October 17, 2022, 6:00-7:30 p.m. PST (note, time is earlier than normal), Sonoma County NOW Monthly Board and Membership Meeting via Zoom.  For details see Events page of NOW Sonoma: http://nowsonoma.org/Events.html

Featuring guest speaker Rosita Stevens-Holsey, author, activist and niece of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Civil Rights and Women's Rights Attorney, Co-Founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW)

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Saturday, October 22, 2022, 4:00 PM, Andy's Unity Park, at Moorland and West Robles, Santa Rosa, Memorial Meet-up. Andy Lopez's family invites you to celebrate the lives of Andy Lopez and Kathleen Finigan. This will be the 9th anniversary of the killing of Andy by Deputy Erick Gelhaus. Kathleen, who died a few weeks ago and who like so many of you, fought courageously for justice for Andy. October 22nd is also the National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation.
The gathering will take place, as always, at Andy's Unity Park, at Moorland and West Robles, the site of Andy's killing. All are cordially invited - activists and friends and community. Celebrate activism and celebrate the lives of Andy and Kathleen.
If you want to bring a dish or a drink to share, please do. Music, poems, and songs are also encouraged. Organizations are also invited to set up tables. Activities for children and art are particularly welcome.

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

We Have Come a Long Way Ladies, sung by Earth Mama from the album Herstory (Rhm).

Made For These Times, sung by Earth Mama from the album Herstory (Rhm)

Herstory, sung by Earth Mama from the album Herstory (Rhm)

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For music purchasing opportunity, supporting the artists: 

Link:  Spinitron.com Playlist for Women's Spaces Show