Monday, September 23, 2019: Akemi Johnson, Rebecca Sonnenshine, Somali American Women in Minn. and Betty Reid Soskin

Today on KPFA Radio’s Women’s Magazine Sharon Sobotta interviews TV & Screenwriter and Producer Rebecca Sonnenshine as she tells us how having a seat at the writing table for network series and films, as a woman, is changing the way stories are told.

Next Sharon talks to Akemi Johnson who gives us a close up view of what is happening in the border towns of military bases in places like Okinawa, Japan with book released in June 2019

Betty Reid Soskin

Night in the American Village: Women in the Shadow of the U. S. Military Bases in Okinawa

Somali American women in Minnesota offer support for Representative Ilhan Omar, as she is continually bullied and mischaracterized by the president. Sharon interviews writer Jojo about her experience as a Somalian woman in America.

Betty Reid Soskin, America’s oldest park ranger turns 98 this week, just in time for the launch of the documentary featuring her life called, No Time To Waste. Look for screenings on October 5 in Mill Valley and other places in the near future.

Click here to listen to the show. 59:50 min

Monday, July 29, 2019: Women's Magazine Fund Drive, Month of Momentum to Close the Camps starts Thursday Aug 1

Dear all,

It's that time again - seems like a constant refrain, I know. KPFA's on-air summer fund drive is in full swing, and the theme is 1969. There has been some great programming looking back at that fateful year - the occupation of Alcatraz, the Battle for People's Park, Stonewall - featuring archival audio that has not been heard for many years.

Unfortunately, the fundraising has been sluggish, and that means we may have to extend this drive beyond this week. We don't want that and I know you don't either. So if you yesterday's show, you can still call 1-800-439-5732 or donate securely online at www.kpfa.org and don't forget to mention how much you appreciate KPFA Women's Magazine.

We replay an interview some of you may have heard previously with Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest US park ranger and the face of the Rosie the Riveter Memorial in Richmond, CA. Betty is now 97 and still going strong; she's just released an album featuring songs she wrote in the 1960s. One of those songs is on the show. Even if you heard the interview before, I recommend tuning in and listening again. As I listened to it today, I found it just as inspiring and informative as I did the first time I heard it. She has such a unique voice.

Click here to listen to the show. 59:50 min

We are offering Betty's book, Sign My Name to Freedom, as a thank you gift for your donation of $150 or more, but there are also tons of other thank you gifts available on our website kpfa.org. If you've admired my cool hoodie, those are also available.  But even if you can only give $10 or $25, it is worth it! $25 or more makes you a member and gives you the right to vote in board elections and help to determine the future direction of the station. And second, it helps keep us on the air and lets station management know that you value our show.

So if you can and haven't donated in a while, become a KPFA member. Call 1-800-439-5732 or go to kpfa.org/donate.

Thanks so much for all your support.

Kate

P.S. I'm also involved in organizing the Month of Momentum: 31 days of action to Close the Camps which kicks off on Thursday. In just over a week, we have pulled together a month of actions at the ICE Building in San Francisco (630 Sansome), every day from noon to 1 pm, each day organized by a different organization or community. Climate justice activists, drummers, public health workers, librarians, tenants and housing activists, comedians, lawyers & legal workers, restaurant & bar workers, even journalists!  Come out, come out - check out the calendar to see what's happening each day and come whenever you can!

Monday, May 14, 2018: KPFA Fund Drive

If you missed your chance to donate during KPFA Women's Magazine this week you can call in next Monday May 21 between 1 and 2 PM to pledge your support to KPFA and Women's Magazine. Thanks for listening.

Click here to listen to yesterday's show. 59:50 min

A message from Kate Raphael:

This week, KPFA is fundraising again - I know, it seems like we just had a drive, but that's the game in listener-supported noncommercial radio. We don't get corporate grants and very little government money, so we depend on you to keep us on air and able to bring you the information and culture you need in these difficult times.  If you have heard something on Women's Magazine in the last six months that you didn't know, if you have found out about a book you enjoyed or an event you wanted to attend, if you got inspired or energized, if you're an author or promoter or filmmaker who was given the opportunity to share your work on our show, think about how much that was worth to you and donate that amount to KPFA tomorrow during Women's Magazine.

We'll be featuring Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest living park ranger at 96 (she started the job in her eighties).  I know some of you missed this interview last time around, so this is your chance to hear it.   Betty works at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Park in Richmond, California, and has taken responsibility for making sure that the unique contributions and struggles of Black women during that period is included in the history.

We will be offering Betty's book as a thank you gift for your donation of $125 or more during that hour.  But anything you can give to help keep KPFA on air will be greatly appreciated. We are trying to raise at least $1,500 during the hour and that means we probably need at least 30 people to call in, so if possible, please be one of them!

To pledge by phone: 510-848-5732 or 1-800-439-5732 (1-800-HEY-KPFA)
Or pledge securely online at www.kpfa.org and choose among all the thank you gifts at various levels on offer during this fund drive, including any or all of the KPFA-sponsored talks you might have missed this year (Patrisse Cullors, Sunaina Maira, and lots more),   But we hope many of you will want to get a copy of Betty's book to savor and share.

Thank you so much for all your past support.

You've kept Women's Magazine on air for thirteen years.  This is a difficult time for us but I believe we're going to make it and we can only do that if we increase our membership and fundraising, so if you live in the Bay Area and have never been a member, this is a great time to take that step.  And if you are not in the Bay, you can still get all of KPFA's great content online wherever you are, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and your donations also help to make sure that Pacifica's 200+ affiliates continue to get progressive perspectives and news that is not available anywhere else.

Keep hope alive - keep KPFA alive.