Dr Nancy O'reilly

Dr. Bonnie Stabile, Associate Professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, delves into the intricacies of how gender policy and acculturation affect women’s leadership. While pointing out the critical importance of representation across all sectors and the barriers that women face in ascending to leadership roles, she emphasizes the need for policies that support women’s entry into leadership and ensure their sustainability and advancement in these roles. The conversation also examines the systemic issues within public policies and the importance of crafting and implementing procedures that genuinely advance women’s interests and rights. Bonnie’s insights provide a compelling call to action for greater gender equity and the empowerment of women in all realms of public and private life.

Asha Dahya and Monica Morales Garcia share an exciting update about the Green Tide Rising podcast series, illuminating the Green Wave Movement in Latin America. Asha, an Emmy nominated producer and storyteller, and Monica, an audio journalist and fashion scholar, explore their roles in this groundbreaking series that sheds light on the fight for reproductive rights and progressive abortion policies across Latin America. The conversation shares powerful stories that motivated this widespread feminist activism against oppressive regimes. Green Tide Rising amplifies the Green Wave message and serves as both a warning and a blueprint for protecting women’s lives and advancing reproductive freedoms in the U.S. and globally, emphasizing the critical importance of storytelling in advocating for change.

In this episode, The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney, former U.S. Congresswoman, shares her remarkable journey, highlighting her groundbreaking roles and relentless pursuit of gender equality through legislative measures, including her ongoing fight for the Equal Rights Amendment. She reminds everyone that without the ERA, women have no rights under the Constitution. The discussion emphasizes the urgency of political empowerment and representation, drawing on historical contributions of women to inspire action and awareness. As Congresswoman Maloney champions the cause of equal rights and mobilizes support for the ERA, she encourages listeners to recognize the critical importance of active civic engagement to create a world where we all have equal opportunities to live successful lives. The time to act is now. Notify your representative of your support for the ERA by signing at https://www.sign4era.org/

In this episode, Maheen Kaleem, a human rights lawyer and Vice President of Programs and Operations at Grantmakers for Girls of Color discusses her inspiring journey from her family's roots in Pakistan to her impactful role in philanthropy. Central to their dialogue is the critical mission of Grantmakers for Girls of Color, which focuses on empowering and supporting transformative work led by girls and gender expansive youth of color. Maheen highlights the challenges these communities face, including the stark disparity in funding, with less than 0.5% of philanthropic giving directed towards women and girls of color. The episode underscores the importance of visibility, investment, and support for these young leaders who are essential drivers of social justice movements, providing hope and paving the way for a more equitable future.

In this episode Darcy J. Totten, interim executive director at the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, discusses the critical economic and social challenges women face, particularly emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Nancy and Darcy explore the disproportionate job losses and childcare burdens impacting women, the persistent pay gap, and its severe effects on women of color. Darcy highlights the necessity for solidarity in politics and collaborations with institutions like Mount Saint Mary's University to address gender equity. The episode underscores the importance of participation in local and national political processes, promoting initiatives like the "Promote the Vote" campaign, and utilizing a gender lens to solve problems.

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Haggard, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University, joins Dr. Nancy O’Reilly for an inspiring discussion about the importance of “listening to the light that wants to live in you” and how to use it to become a powerful change maker. Dr. Nicole shares her journey from her unsupported dissertation work to becoming an advocate for change by putting truth to power through research. Join us as they delve into the importance of collaboration and support in tackling gender inequity, and how the Center provides a hub for educating people why intersectionality matters. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that sheds light on representation in the media, leadership development, and creating positive change for women and girls.

Today, Dr. Nancy welcomed Montecito Media Group CEO and Executive Editor Gwyn Lurie to discuss the power of collaboration, need for positive female role models, and impact of lifting up women and girls, which Gwyn said is “the strongest lever for change.” They also explored the importance of storytelling, value of investing in women, and the positive effects of women leaders. From championing women’s rights to advocating for philanthropy through a network of networks, they revealed ways we can support and empower one another.Join us as we continue these important conversations and work towards creating a more inclusive, supportive world for women and girls everywhere. Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast for more empowering content and stay tuned for the release of our upcoming book!

Welcome to “Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy”! In this episode, Dr. Nancy O’Reilly engages in a captivating and empowering discussion with the remarkable Frédérique Campagne Irwin, President and CEO of the National Women’s History Museum. They delve into Frédérique’s entrepreneurial journey, her frustration with systemic change’s slow pace, and her commitment to empower women and girls.With insights into the challenges women face, the power of storytelling, and the importance of collaboration, this episode is a rich tapestry of experience, wisdom, and determination to create a more inclusive world. Tune in as they explore the crucial role of solidarity, support networks, and the urgency to energize and uplift women. This episode is a testament to the strength of female alliances and the vital impact of storytelling across all industries.

Listen to Maggie O’Neill discuss why she strongly believes that art can support and drive societal change. For over two decades, Maggie has contributed to the vibrant arts scene of Washington D.C. making her name and work synonymous with artistic innovation, entrepreneurship, and activism. Her newest project, Vote For Your Daughter, leverages the visual and emotional impact of 51 statues representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each statue was designed to educate voters about the challenges facing women and girls, and spark conversation, foster empathy, and inspire action. While the statues are all similar, no two are alike. That is because the issues facing women are different in every state. The most important thing is to be aware of the issues, and use our power and vote, specifically, vote for our daughters. Join Maggie and Dr. Nancy for a powerful conversation about how much we need to raise the bar to help regain individual freedoms for women and girls.

Learn how Jasmine Minhas uses her principles of selfless service (seva) from her Sikh upbringing and her unwavering commitment to equity and justice to demonstrate how a single person can be a force for change.With a degree in French, history and science from Bucknell University, she isn’t waiting for her law degree to work for systemic change. Among her many professional achievements, Jasmine played a pivotal role in the enactment of historic gun safety legislation in Delaware, shared her talents with ACLU of Delaware and is volunteering on two state campaigns for office. And she’s only getting started. Don’t miss this story of the power found in serving others.

Join us in exploring the dynamic leadership of Christian Nunes, the second African American president of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Through her inclusive and intersectional approach, Nunes is reshaping the future of feminism in the United States. Discover how her background in social work and community organizing drives NOW's initiatives for marginalized communities, advocating for gender, racial, and immigrant rights. Learn how Nunes' personal journey, despite initial hesitation with the term "feminism," aligns with NOW's mission to empower women from all walks of life. Don't miss out on this inspiring story of resilience and activism! 

Discover the inspiring journey of Brianna Baker as she leads the charge for justice and empowerment for Black girls across the country. From personal experiences to nationwide advocacy and program development that creates safe spaces and paths for Black girls to thrive. Witness how Brianna is transforming the narrative and celebrating the talents and abilities of Black girls. Join the movement and uplift Black girls everywhere. Visit justiceforblackgirls.com to learn more and get involved.

As the 2024 election season unfolds, Crystal Quade has emerged as a powerful advocate for equality and working-class Americans in Middle America. Currently serving as Minority Leader in the Missouri House of Representatives, Crystal shares her journey from a challenging rural upbringing to becoming the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college. Now, she's on a mission to address the gaps in government support for middle America, vying to become Missouri's first female governor.

Join us for an engaging discussion with Elisa Parker, with the ERA Coalition and Fund for Women’s Equality, as we dive into the intricate aspects of gender inequality and the pursuit of the Equal Rights Amendment. During this conversation, Elisa will shed light on her impactful work, which revolves around empowerment, opportunities, and collaboration. She will explore the intersections of media and advocacy, not only in Hollywood but also with women's voices organizations nationwide.

Zakiya Thomas is President and CEO of the ERA Coalition and the Fund for Women’s Equality. An agent for change, Zakiya leads a diverse coalition of over 290 partner organizations, representing 80 million people, all fighting for equality. The Coalition advocates for gender, racial, and reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and much more under the unifying banner of sex equality and the goal to enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment into the US Constitution. Zakiya is an astute political strategist, adept campaign manager, and experienced nonprofit manager. Additionally, Zakiya is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown Law teaching a nonpartisan course on how to run for political office and volunteers on several nonprofit boards ranging from protecting reproductive rights to individual financial empowerment.

Kathy Caprino has seen the power that can be unleashed when women discover and unlock their potential. As an international career and leadership coach, writer, speaker, and educator, she is dedicated to helping women build rewarding and impactful careers. Her mission is to create what she calls “finding brave moments” that empower women to close the power gaps in their professional pursuits and soar to new heights.Kathy's commitment to empowering women led her to write "The Most Powerful You: Seven Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss." In her book, she explores the concept of power gaps, which are the ways women inadvertently give away their power or struggle to recognize their unique talents and accomplishments. Through her work, Kathy highlights the importance of women recognizing their strengths, standing out confidently, and embracing their true potential.

Kirthi Jayakumar and Keturah Shammah are women driven by similar missions. While they grew up worlds apart, they were brought together through the power of World Pulse, an independent, women-led social network for social change. By harnessing the power of technology to accelerate women's leadership, the organization not only connecting women, it is speeding up the pace towards gender equity.

Julie Hermelin is way out front in the drive to help social profit and for-profit organizations connect their messages with their audiences through impactful storytelling. As co-founder and managing partner of Gutsy Media, a narrative change storytelling studio, Julie is using storytelling to change the way we engage with complex issues and to transform the way people think. By opening what she calls “windows of consideration,” into the lives of her audiences, she frames the message in a way they can find themselves in it.

In a world yearning for positive change, Tiffany Shlain and Sawyer Steele emerge as two dynamic change-makers. Tiffany is an artist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, celebrated author, and founder of the Webby Award. Complementing Tiffany's creative brilliance, Sawyer is an Emmy-nominated film producer and with Tiffany, co-founded Let It Ripple Film Studio. As successful as they are individually, Tiffany and Sawyer have also been an unstoppable force for good in their 17 years of working together. A common theme within their work is a call for unity, the idea that everyone's voice matters, and that their rights deserve unwavering protection.

Ashely Avis is an award-winning writer, director, editor, and passionate advocate for horses. She has completed five feature films and is the founder and president of the Wild Beauty Foundation.Her recent remake of "Black Beauty" for Disney+ not only modernized the classic tale but also shed light on the pressing issue of wild horse preservation in the American West. Witnessing the plight of wild horses during the filming process sparked her commitment to advocating for their protection and welfare. Through the Wild Beauty Foundation, Ashley seeks to bring about positive change for wild horses in the United States.Her most recent documentary, "Wild Beauty Mustang: Spirit of the West," is a journalistic exposé into the corruption befalling wild horses. The film has been hailed as “ground-breaking” and received a special Congressional commendation in 2023.