POWER UP WOMEN!

Challenging the Patriarchy's Control of Women

Rabbi Tamara Kolton, author of the upcoming book, "Oranges for Eve: My Beautiful, Brava and Badass Journey to the Feminine Divine," is a truth teller, spiritual leader and powerful voice for women. As growing numbers of states in the USA pass extreme legislation aimed at overthrowing women's right to privacy over our bodies, Rabbi Kolton provides insightful context on her position, published in the Jewish News, that the national debate over abortion is not truly about caring for babies or pregnant women, it is one more powerful example of our patriarchal matrix that protects the status quo in which men hold predominant power and social privilege -- and why women and our allies should not be silent.

 

 

COMIQUE CON: Diverse Women Raising Their Voices & Profiles in World of Comics

The world of comics has long been one more world ruled by white males -- both as characters and creators.  But that is changing as young women who grew up reading comics featuring female superheroes (such as "shojo" Magna books created in Japan specifically for girls) are looking for adult content they can identify with.  So, they're creating it themselves.  We explored this growing, cultural phenomenon at Comique-Con -- a conference specifically for female and female-identifying illustrators, writers and creators in the comic world.  A world that co-host Monica Doyle knows well. 

Robin Jones: The Reality Is That Most Disabilities Are Invisible

We recorded this episode the day after two mass shootings killed at least 31 people and injured dozens of others in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.  Were the young, white males who perpetrated these hateful, horrible acts suffering from mental illness? Perhaps, but not necessarily.  Robin Jones, Director of the Great Lakes  ADA Center (Americans with Disabilities Act) talked with us about her work training, consulting and providing technical assistance to business, schools, employers , architects, families and individuals related to disabilities.  Handicapped parking, wheelchair ramps and accessible bathrooms are just the beginning. "The reality," says Jones, "is that most disabilities are invisible to others, including learning disabilities and mental illness." And how about the growing number of  so-called "emotional support" pets on airplanes? Robin has insight on that, too. 

 

Robin's broad understanding of the many issues surrounding human ability made Monica and me realize that we all have abilities and disabilities! The challenge is to make sure we are providing the assistance and services people need to use all of their abilities and we do not stigmatize individuals for getting help.

 

In Our Prime: How Older Women Are Re-Inventing the Road Ahead

Enlightened Sexism author and Communications Studies Professor Susan Douglas makes the case for "life span feminism," her upcoming new book --  In Our Prime: How Older Women are Re-Inventing the Road Ahead -- and why it's time to destroy the media myth that older and younger feminists can't get along. 

Sports Columnist Christine Brennan Talks Sports, Gender and Purple-Haired Leadership

USA Today Sports Columnist and TV Commentator Christine Brennan has covered every major sporting event imaginable for nearly four decades -- including 18 Olympics and all four World Cup championships of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team.  Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and their 2019 teammates have delivered revenue, viewing audiences, championships and the all-time best-selling soccer jersey in U.S. history. Now they are demanding equal pay.  Brennan says, "Love  'em or hate 'em, they are strong, tough, have changed the conversation about women's sports and they're not going away!" 

 

With over 1,000 women covering sports today, Brennan encourages girls and women to learn more about sports journalism careers through her website: ChristineBrennan.com.

A Leadership Conversation with General Linda Singh on racism, sexism and ending sexual assault in the military

General Linda Singh, the first African American and first woman to head up all military operations for an entire state, made national news earlier this year when her Maryland leadership team became the first all-female National Guard command staff in the United States. A leader who believes in the value of talking openly about difficult issues, Adjutant General Singh spoke candidly with me about racism, sexism and sexual harassment and assault, including her personal experiences.   

In the Game: Women’s Sports Progress

Hall of Fame Women's College Basketball Coach Sue Kruszewski Hardy and Vice President of Marketing for the Detroit Tigers Ellen Hill Zeringue, one of the few executive women in major league sports, join Anne and Monica to talk about women's progress in the world of sports -- as athletes, coaches and executives.  Their "In the Game" conversation was recorded in front of a live audience as part of the Second Annual Detroit Podcast Festival, hosted by Robin Kinnie, founder of Motor City Woman Studios. 

The “Girl Effect” and the Global Fight to Educate Females

Education is transformational with the power to break cycles of poverty, child marriage and violence. The “Girl Effect” is particularly powerful because it extends the benefits to families and communities more than when only boys are educated. Yet 130 million girls around the world are not in school because of poverty, custom or conflict. In places like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria, girls schools are under attack.  Anne talks with Totsie Memela of South Africa and Shamim Jawad of Afghanistan --  two leaders on the front lines of the fight to change ideas, cultures and policies about why educating girls lifts the entire human family.

1,000 Toys Silently Proclaim, "Remember the Children!"

At least three thousand young children have been separated from their refugee parents, seeking asylum in the U.S. They have been held in cages, shipped to foster care all over the country, some have been sexually assaulted, and several have died. Can you imagine having your baby or very young child pulled from your arms, perhaps never to see them again? Determined that these children must not be forgotten, Michiganders Elaine Roseborough and Laurie Lisi tied 1,000 teddy bears, dolls and toys to stakes and displayed them along a busy Detroit-area highway to remind people of the several thousand missing migrant children. For information on how to follow their lead, indivisiblefighting9.com or Facebook @Fighting9.  Leaders take action and inspire others to find the courage to act, as well. How about you?

 

Men as Gender Allies: YWomen Founder Jeffery Tobias Halter

What do men have do with women's power and progress? Everything!! As fathers, husbands, colleagues, bosses, brothers or lawmakers, men impact women's personal lives, careers and legal rights every day. Women contending with sexual harassment, toxic workplaces, gender bias, extreme laws violating our right to privacy and growing male backlash against the #MeToo movement, need male allies!

Jeffery Tobias Halter, president of YWomen, is the USA's leading expert on engaging men to advance women.  A two-time TEDx speaker who has been known to don red women's heels on stage to make a point tells host Anne Doyle, "It's time to stop urging women to lean in and start asking men to stand up!"