Women's Liberation Radio News

In honor of all the working women of the world, WLRN's 29th edition is dedicated to women in the labor movement. This month's program starts off with April Neault, the newest member of the WLRN team, introducing herself and the guests on the show. She is followed by WLRN's world news segment as written and presented by Damayanti. Next, enjoy a rousing version of the song "Union Maid" from the New Harmony Sisterhood Band followed by an interview Thistle conducted with Ms. Stephanie Luce, Professor of Labor Studies at the School of Labor and Urban Studies, as well as Professor of Sociology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Next up, you'll hear an interview with Andrea Narbot, Marxist Feminist from Atlanta, GA that Sekhmet conducted followed by Sekhmet's pointed commentary about the harms of capitalist economics and how women and especially women of color and lesbians are particularly impacted. Finally, enjoy the song "Woman's Work" by Tracy Chapman and all of the voices of WLRN's staff

Playlist: Background music: More than a Paycheck Sweet Honey in The Rock All songs from The New Harmony Sisterhood Band: "Side one" Sojourner Truth Cotton Mill Girls Ballad Working Class Woman Ella Ellison Draglines "Side two" Union Maid Ballad of Joan Little Two O'Clock Lounge Amelia Earhart's Last Flight Unfinished Business All Our Lives Closing song: Stand Up Heather Mae This music hour features the 1977 album "...And Ain't I A Woman?" by The New Harmony Sisterhood Band. Even if you aren't a fan of this era of women's music or even the folk/acoustic genre, I hope you will tune in to these women's lyrics which are rich in their teaching of women's history and feminist consciousness around issues of race, class and the exploitation of women thru the so called 'sex industry.' They sing about working class women, women of color (their double oppression), the rape of the planet, lesbian rights, and the exploitation of women at home, at work and on the streets. This is an incredible gem of how women's

Howdy! This week's Women's Liberation Music Hour features Holly Near's 1978 album: Imagine My Surprise!. I love this album because of her songs about womon-centered realities one hardly hears sung anymore: topics like violence against women, women being locked up in psychiatric hospitals and women/lesbians being disappeared and tortured around the world. I also love the liner notes and photos of Holly and the women participating in the album with her. All of her songs are translated into Spanish and credit is given so generously. This is so characteristic of the consciousness of feminists of that time. I love it. I round out the hour with some self-reflection around my whiteness, the unearned privileges whiteness affords me as well as the inherent racism massaged into me from birth and the discomfort of all of that. I hope for a future music hour about all that. Take good care and I hope you enjoy this blast from the past that still has a present relevance for women and lesbians of August 2018! Blessed

Mother Earth is on the brink of destruction. Modern industry fosters ecological degradation through unsustainable habits of pollution and resource depletion. Male-driven civilization and its treatment of the natural world wreaks havoc all around us, but women hold the power to save life on this planet as we know it. Today's podcast features women who dedicate their lives to seeking and spreading knowledge of sustainable living. In our first interview, Thistle speaks with Susan Griffin, author of Woman & Nature: The Roaring Inside Her, a pioneering work of ecofeminist philosophy. In our second interview, Sekhmet speaks with Lierre Keith, radical activist and co-founder of Deep Green Resistance. These two interviews are framed by Maya's world headlines and Thistle's commentary on the womon-Earth connection. Along the way we hear music from Suzanne Vega, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Big Bad Gina. Thank you for tuning in to WLRN's naturally gynocentric broadcast. Blessed be!

WLRN is back on the scene this first Thursday in July with our feminist anti-war news program in response to all of the war machine worship we have seen this 4th of July season. The show starts with the song Wargasm by L7 and then moves into world news headlines by Maya followed by Buffy St. Marie with her song, The War Racket. The first interview segment is with Cynthia Enloe, professor of Political Science, International Development and Women's & Gender Studies at Clark University. Next, hear Joni Mitchell's 1969 live version of her classic anti-war anthem and celebration of 60's music culture, Woodstock, before our second interview Thistle did with Cindy Sheehan, long-time anti-war activist who is currently working to organize the Women's March on the Pentagon set for October 20th - 21st in Washington DC.  Finally, to round out our program on women and war, Sekhmet SheOwl offers her profound commentary that brings us that much closer to an understanding of how things are arranged so that we can dismantle t

From Phoenixx: "This month of July, I bring to you fury and lullabies, sisters. Fury. Need I say anything of the what and why?! I have been feeling full of my fury these last few weeks, sisters, and I need a break. A break... and some focus on doing some energetic/magic activism to help the children who have been separated from their parents at the border and subsequently put into emotional isolation. May this hour's worth of music be soothing to your soul and theirs. I honor Dolores Huerta, 88 year old Amazon sister in arms still on the front lines at the border, rallying, organizing protests, and calling for fasting. (https://www.dallasnews.com/news/immigration/2018/06/23/lawmakers-get-close-look-border-crisis-protesters-call-tolerance) Blessed be!" Song List: 33 Mala Rodriquez Cradle Song Kitka A la Nanita Nana Julie Ellis Este era un Conejo Silvia Schujer Cancion de Cuna Maruca Cucurrucucu Paloma Amanda Martinez Cielito Lindo Marta Gomez A La Rorro Nino (Guatemalan Lullaby) Bree Ba

Happy Pride Month to all the wonderful Lesbians out there! Sister my Sister, you are seen. You are loved! WLRN's June podcast is dedicated to you women who defy the mold. Join us as we focus on Butch Womyn! This month we had the pleasure of speaking with Pippa Fleming, Paula Jellis, and several women who attended the Cinema Systers festival in Paducah, Kentucky. We begin with world headlines by Maya and end with commentary by Sekhmet. Musical selections include "You Can Sleep While I Drive" by KD Lang & Melissa Etheridge, and "Michfest Blues" by Nedra Johnson. Thank you to all our interviewees for sharing your time and voices with us. And thank you to all our listeners out there! We couldn't do what we do without this wonderful community of radical womyn, so thank you all for your fearless guidance and loving support!

This month on your Women's Liberation Music Hour, DJ Phoenixx presents songs for your very own Dance Party that include some of her favorite dance music. Being a fan of funk (it's not easy to find female/Feminist funk bands, by the way!), she also likes dancing to Disco. It is hard to find Disco songs that are not misogynist and/or steeped in a male love interest when sung by female artists. Phoenixx did find a couple that she is comfortable offering to us in this context of women's liberation. For Phoenixx, it's important to us as Radical Feminists to just dance out the layers and layers of anger, frustration and sadness to music that moves our bodies. So, hopefully in this next hour, you will find your body moving to the dance-able rhythms. Song List: (with introduction) Sisters are doin' it for themselves Eurythmics featuring Aretha Franklin Amazon Like Rock Staceyann Chin Rise Again Amazon wimmin/Judith Casselberry Sisters in Struggle Lesbians on Ecstacy Amazonas De La tierra Mayra Ca

New Zealand feminist Renée Gerlich sent WLRN her copy of this interview. She did it on request for Radio New Zealand - before being told it couldn't broadcast, because it had "simply dropped out of the system". Listen carefully to how the interviewer asks Renée questions and how she responds to them to understand why it is likely this interview was censored. WLRN is committed to giving a platform to women who are silenced and marginalized by other media which is why it is an honor to post this interview. You can also read the transcript on Renée's blog here: https://reneejg.net/2018/05/14/rnz-censored/ And visit Renée's petition against Givealittle's breast binding campaign here: https://www.change.org/p/givealittle-end-campaigns-funding-the-mutilation-of-indigenous-people Photo of breast ironing by Getty Images.

Song List: Background- Moon Chant Aco Takenaka Born of Water Lindie Lila Calling The Moon Dar Williams The Moon Was Blue Cris Williamson Many Sister Moons Carolyn Hillyer Moon's Lament Layne Redmond Talking Drums Ariel Kalma Drumming Circle Professor Trance and The Energisers Think Twice (Henrik Schwarz Remix) The Detroit Experiment Rattlesnakes Emancipator Lihkahusat/Entranced Mari Boine By Night Ayla Nereo Bledsung Live at Kuumbwa Polly Wood This week I have composed a love letter, of sorts, to The Moon with music selected to reflect my feelings toward her steady companionship in my life. I hope you will enjoy this flow of waxing and waning Female lunar energy! Also, just a reminder, I'll be waning my music hour production to one per month this summer starting next month on June 4th. Thanks again for your gyn/affection, support and appreciation!

This week's music hour features the poetry of Pat Parker and Judy Grahn on their 1976 Olivia record, Where Would I Be Without You. Hope you enjoy hearing this treasure of Lesbian Feminist spoken word for the first time or the ten thousandth! "Side one" with Judy Grahn: A History of Lesbianism if you lose your lover in the place where The Marilyn Monroe Poem The Common Woman II. Ella III. Nadine IV. Carol V. Detroit Annie VII. Vera She Who parting on the left the woman in 3 pieces one She Who Increases the many minnows A Geology Lesson the enemies of She Who She Who Continues the most blonde woman the woman in 3 pieces three foam on the rim i am the wall the woman whose head is on fire Plainsong: from an older woman to and younger woman "Side two" with Pat Parker: From cavities of bones When I was a child Fuller Brush Day You can't be sure of anything these days Tour America! In English Lit Brother Have you ever tried to hide? Don't let the fascists speak Pit

Summertime is coming soon, and that means festival season is almost here! Our 25th edition podcast features interviews with the founders of three such events: Michigan Framily Reunion, https://www.michiganframilyreunion.com/ Ohio Lesbian Festival, https://www.facebook.com/OhioWomynsFestival/ and Cinema Systers. https://www.cinemasysters.com/ WLRN would like to welcome our newest member, Maya, who provides headlines for this month. In addition, thanks to Jenna for giving us a complete rundown of over a dozen women's gatherings happening this season. Musical selections include August Moon by Nedra Johnson and Summertime Fling by KD Lang. Thistle and Julia finish up the hour with twin commentaries reflecting on the sacredness and importance of womyn's space. Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks to Anonymous, WLRN was able to recover this documentary that aired on October 26th, 2015 from the studios of Madison community radio station WORT 89.9 FM. Shortly after the airing of this documentary, Thistle Pettersen was banned from the radio station due to complaints from trans activists that she engages in "hateful bigotry." In contrast, the documentary is not about hate at all, but rather highlights and amplifies the thousands of women's voices that came together every year for forty years on the Land. Enjoy this Labor of Love -- especially as we enter a new round of festivals this third season after MichFest ended.

Thanks to Anonymous for sending WLRN this sound file from 2014 when Thistle Pettersen interviewed Sheila Jeffreys, Elizabeth Hungerford and Jane Doe on the Access Hour at Madison's community radio station WORT 89.9 FM. The lead-up to this show and the aftermath were notable since trans activists and advocates complained to the station that this show was "trans misogynistic" and full of "hate speech."

In this interview, WLRN producer Jenna talks with Maria Klemperer-Johnson, founder of Hammerstone Carpentry and School for Women. Having grown up with a woodworking father and grandfather, Maria found her way back to carpentry after going to college for computer science, and later starting a PhD program in geology. She talks about the the empowerment of being physical; using your body to create; knowing your strengths and limits. Being part of a small percentage of wimmin in the trades, and specifically carpentry, she has a unique perspective on the way we work, the baggage associated with being a woman doing "men's work", and the limits we place on ourselves. Ms. Klemperer-Johnson also spent time is Puerto Rico in March of 2018, holding construction workshops for local residents, and doing crucial renovations on one home that had been without a roof since hurricane Maria. Working with her team of women, and the recovery group Rogues on Roofs, Maria made extensive repairs - and also important connections - an

Recently, I've been inspired by hearing 17 year old Emma Gonzalez speak against gun violence. Her confident, passionate and intelligent speeches are so moving to me. I've also been remembering the fires of myself at that age which were made impotent by hetero reality. This week I invite you to join me and the music for a journey of female friendship and reclamation of the fires of those adolescent years of being 'Emotional Creatures" (term borrowed from a young woman interviewed by Eve Ensler). Here are some links to Emma: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/emma-gonzalez-stoneman-douglas-survivor-makes-righteous-speech-10100848 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u46HzTGVQhg Playlist: in background: Ane Brun Headphone Silence 3000 Miles Tracy Chapman Sisters of Avalon Cyndi Lauper Tuuli Hedningarna Drunk Inna Zhelannaya Sistory Ubaka Hill Body Hair Anne Seale F**kin Perfect Pink I'll Stand by You The Pretenders Awaken to your Power Sheila Chandra

WLRN's Julia Beck traveled to Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant and Feminist Bookstore in Bridgeport Connecticut in March of 2018. Surrounded by the laughter and ambient sounds of women listening live to this interview, Selma Miriam and Noel Furie tell the story of how they came to be business owners and also share their own personal stories as feminist women and lesbians. http://www.bloodroot.com/

WLRN is celebrating two years of collectively producing feminist community radio! To mark this achievement, Natasha Petrov, WLRN's resident graphic designer, has created some wonderful merch described in this PSA. Please take a listen and consider ordering your Women in Media merch today! https://wlrnmedia.wordpress.com/merch/

Our 2nd year anniversary podcast is here! WLRN has worked collectively for TWO YEARS to bring YOU woman-centered news and music every single month. This month we focus on women creators and supporters of the feminist movement. We interviewed Maria Klemperer-Johnson, the founder of Hammerstone Carpentry School, as well as Selma Miriam and Noel Furie, two of the founding members of Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant. We also spoke with Judith Arcana, one of the Janes from Chicago's underground abortion service. Musical selections include "I Come From Women" by Amy Carol Webb and "We Are The Ones" by Sweet Honey In The Rock. Finally, twin commentaries by Sekhmet SheOwl and Jenna DiQuarto round out this month's program on feminist foundations. Check it out! ‪http://hammerstoneschool.com/‬ ‪http://www.bloodroot.com/‬ ‪http://www.juditharcana.com/‬ Our podcasts certainly are "handcrafted" with tender loving care! Thanks so much for all of the time spent on this labor of love!

This week's music hour features music by Barbara Higbie, Teresa Trull and Cris Williamson in honor of their Reunion Tour. They've been gracing various venues along the east coast these last several weeks. I saw them this past weekend! It was great fun to witness powerful women sharing power so reminiscent of how things were done at MichFest and other womyn's music festivals. They really set the bar for that particular Feminist value! I'm so grateful for continued modeling of that Gyn/affection wherever possible, so I offer a musical version of it here in the next hour. Hope you enjoy! Playlist: In background to intro: Playtime Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie Playtime Tip the Canoe Barbara Higbie Hills to Hollers Flow Teresa Trull Flow Hieroglyphics Cris Williamson The Essential Cris Williamson Sway of Her Hips Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie Playtime Signs of Life Barbara Higbie Alive in Berkeley Songbird Cris Williamson The Essential Cris