Archived Radio Show

August 19, 2024

Original Radio Show  ID:
WSA240819

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 Rosita Stevens-Holsey, Author, Speaker, Vice-President of the National Women's History Alliance

3. Report on CA NOW State Conference by Elaine B. Holtz

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1. Commentary by Elaine B. Holtz:  I am so excited, joining me on the phone Rosita Stevens-Holsey is a dynamic educator, writer, activist and niece of Attorney, Civil/Women’s Rights Activists, poet and one of the co-founders of the National Organization for Women (NOW) Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray. We will be talking about her Aunt Pauli, who contributed so much during the civil rights and women’s movement.

A shout out to the SOCO Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) for hosting the NOW Annual California NOW Conference. It was an amazing event, and it was sold out. Sadly, they had a technical glitch, and the conference was not recorded. Yes, I was both livid and shocked when I found out that happened, however at the same time I have a remarkable story. For the second half of the show, I will be giving all of you a report about the conference. I was honored along with Ana Salgado to do the Women's spaces Pledge as a self-care component. Ana did the Pledge in Spanish. She will be on next week to talk about her fabulous adventure in Washington DC advocating for immigrant rights and the passage of HR1511. Ana is one of my heroes.

2. Our Guest Rosita Stevens-Holsey reflects on her Aunt Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray’s significant role in the Civil Rights Movement and the founding of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Pauli Murray, who faced oppression from a young age, moved from Baltimore to Durham, NC, during the Jim Crow era. Experiencing racial segregation, she recognized the inequality in education and daily life. Her commitment to fighting for equality led her to work with prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr. However, she grew disillusioned with the lack of recognition and involvement of women in the movement, particularly during events like the March on Washington.
Motivated by this exclusion, she envisioned an organization dedicated to women's rights, leading to the creation of National Organization for Women (NOW). Influenced by Eleanor Roosevelt, she participated in the Commission on the Status of Women but became frustrated when men refused to address women's needs, prompting her to co-found NOW. Despite her involvement, she would move on when the organization deviated from its original goals, especially regarding the inclusion of women of color.

The conversation also touches on the Rosita’s role in the National Women's History Alliance and the honor of having her aunt featured on a U.S. quarter as part of the American Women's Quarter Program, recognizing women who made significant contributions to the country. Rosita emphasizes the importance of continuing to honor women's contributions and expresses excitement about Kamala Harris's political achievements. The discussion concludes with information about how to obtain the commemorative quarter and resources to learn more about the legacy of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray.

About our Guest: Rosita Stevens-Holsey is a dynamic educator, writer, activist, and community engager focused on sharing stories of historical and pioneering voices for children and adults to be inspired by. In the spirit of enhancing the legacy of her aunt, Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray,

Rosita has co-authored with Terry Catasús Jennings, a biography entitled “Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist & Civil Rights Activist.”
She holds a B.S. in Science and Education from State University of New York and a master’s in counseling and human services from Boston University.

Rosita is president and founder of Preserving Pauli Murray, LLC, and is a proud board member as Vice-President of the National Women’s History Alliance of Santa Rosa, CA and a board member of the the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in Durham, NC.

Guest Links:

Book: Pauli Murray - The Life of a Pioneering Feminist and Civil Rights Activist by Terry Catasús Jennings and Rosita Stevens-Holsey. Click Here for publisher's website

Rosita Steven-Holsey's website in honor of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray:   www.preservingpaulimurray.com

fb page Preserving Pauli Murray: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077794959132

Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice on who Pauli Murray is: https://www.paulimurraycenter.com/who-is-pauli

Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray commemorative quarter: https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/american-women-quarters/pauli-murray

Reference Link:

We interviewed Rosita Stevens-Holsey previously:

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3.  Elaine B. Holtz's Report on the CA NOW State Conference held on August 10, 2024:  

Elaine B. Holtz recaps the National Organization for Women (NOW) California conference in Sonoma County, highlighting both the event's successes and challenges. Despite a computer glitch that prevented the recording of the conference, the event was a sold-out success. Holtz expresses deep appreciation for the organizing committee, including leaders like the President of Sonoma County NOW Amy Nykamp, President of California NOW Camarina Schwartz Davidson and Cheryl Davidson, and recognizes the many contributors and sponsors, such as Women’s Spaces and the League of Women Voters.

The conference featured a powerful lineup of speakers, including Charlie Toledo, a Towa Native American, who opened the event with a prayer, and Bear Atwood, the national vice president of NOW, who delivered an inspiring speech. Holtz also mentions the Women’s Spaces Pledge, which she led alongside Ana Salgado, who recently returned from Washington, D.C., advocating for immigrant rights.

Prominent speakers included Molly Murphy MacGregor, co-founder of the National Women’s History Alliance, who shared the origins of Women's History Month, and Dr. Kim D. Hester Williams, a professor at Sonoma State University, who delivered a moving poem. Madonna Feather Cruz also made a significant impact with her discussion on Native American women’s issues.

Workshops during the conference, such as the "Don't Be An Ally" workshop on racism and commitments led by Addy Ellis, author of The Black Butterfly, and the workshop on the ERA were also highlighted. Despite the disappointment of not having the event recorded, Holtz plans to bring some of the presenters on her show to share their insights. She concludes by reflecting on the emotional process of letting go and the importance of self-esteem.

Articles published about the NOW Conference:

The Press Democrat published an article two days before the Conference on 8/8/2024: Santa Rosa to host statewide NOW conference this weekend.-
Four days after Kamala Harris announced her running mate, Church of the Roses will be the site of the Saturday event featuring speakers, a panel discussion and various workshops. The theme is “Moving Forward + Igniting Change.” by Austin Murphy    https://www.pressdemocrat.com/.../now-conference-santa-rosa/

The Press Democrat published an article on the Conference after the event on 8/12/24: At the statewide NOW conference in Santa Rosa, the mood was optimistic. Will it last? - The new Democratic nominee was hundreds of miles away, but her presence was keenly felt as women from around California gathered in Santa Rosa Saturday. by Austin Murphy   https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/statewide-now-conference-kamala/  

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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.

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Herstory Events:

August 14, 1935 – Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Labor, plays a pivotal role as the architect behind the Social Security Act, which was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This landmark legislation, which established the Social Security program, celebrates its 89th anniversary today, marking a crucial step in providing financial security for millions of Americans.

Herstory Birthdays:

August 19, 1920 (1999) – Donna Allen, founder of the Women’s Institute for Freedom of the Press in 1972 to publicize and research women’s issues which she thought were ignored by the mainstream media.

August 22, 1867 (1920) – Maud Powell born in Peru, Illinois, was the first great American violinist of either gender, who was internationally acclaimed.

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Announcements

Monday, August 19, 2024, 7:00 - 8:00 PM, Zoom, NOW-Sonoma County Chapter Monthly Meeting and recap of the NOW CA State Conference held on 8/10/24. Click Here for NOW Event Page for Zoom instructions

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Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 11 AM PT, repeat of Monday's show that featured Rosita Stevens Holsey on her aunt, Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, a co-founder of NOW.  Radio KPCA 103.3 FM, Petaluma, CA. https://petalumacommunityaccess.org/kpca& 

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Wednesday, August 21, 2024trong> 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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Monday, August 26, 2024 11 AM PT # repeats 11 PM PT, the show on Equality Day will feature Jennifer Tucker, Senior Adviser for Strategic Partnerships and Engagement ERA Coalition Fund for Women Equality (FFWE).  Radio KBBF 89.1 FM, North SF Bay or live streaming at https://kbbf.org/live

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Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 11 AM PT, repeat of Monday's show on Equality Day that will feature Jennifer Tucker, Senior Adviser for Strategic Partnerships and Engagement ERA Coalition Fund for Women Equality (FFWE).  Radio KPCA 103.3 FM, Petaluma, CA. https://petalumacommunityaccess.org/kpca& 

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Wednesday, August 28, 2024 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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Friday, August 30, 2024, 6:00 to 7:30 PM, Jodi Evans on Codepink's Local Peace Economy Project, Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County, 467 Sebastopol Ave, Santa Rosa. Click Here to RSVP for this free event.

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October 5, 2024, Silent Sentinels Encouraging Voting. Washington, DC and other localities.

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

My Vote, My Voice, sung by Kathleen Bartrand, from the single My Vote, My Voice (2020 Kibe Music).

The Times They Are a Changing, sung by The Brothers and Sisters from the album Dylans Gospels (Epic).

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For music purchasing opportunity, supporting the artists: