sharonksobotta

Founder of Factory Farming Awareness Coalition

Katie Cantrell, the Factory Farming Awareness Coalition Executive Director, was inspired by the book Eating Animals to do something about the factory farming epidemic. She put together a power point presentation and began sharing her message with anyone who would listen. Today, she has a successful coalition that is built around the model of meeting people where they are--figuratively and allowing them to make bite-sized changes that align with their belief system.

Patricia McGregor

Patricia McGregor is a writer and play director based in Harlem, New York. I spoke with her during the Berkeley tour of The House that Will Not Stand, she shared her thoughts on theater as an intimate form of activism and called on people from all groups to stand in alliance with one another.

The Legacy of Catalina Torres-As recalled by her cousin

In 2008, Catalina Torres, who had been a survivor of domestic violence and a longtime advocate and activist engaged in the movement to end domestic violence, was killed by the estranged husband of another woman who was dealing with domestic violence. Catalina's cousin recalls her story and shares the lessons he learned from losing his cousin in this tragic way.

Today, women in the United States are more likely to be killed by their intimate partner than in any other way. An average of 3 women per day are killed in this way. Every 9 seconds a woman is beaten by her partner. 

If you see or suspect something, gently voice your concerns and offer to be there for the person when/if she/he needs someone to talk to or someone to assist with getting help.  

Reclaim Valentine's Day!

It is the start of Valentine's Day weekend! It's a time when many of us think about love. It's also the time for the global movement VDAY: Stop the Violence Against Women asks us to think about obstacles that stop us from receiving and sharing the love that we deserve. One in three women experience dating/domestic violence or sexual assault in their lifetimes and one in ten men experience those issues.

Start your weekend by attending SMC's VDAY hybrid production of "A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer" and original student pieces touching on issues ranging from the impact violence has on women of color to how to navigate the world without sight. Don't miss this. It is at 3pm and 8pm in the Soda Center at Saint Mary's College of California!

WORLD AIDS DAY is December 1

In December as the holidays are upon us, it's a time of mixed realities and emotions. For some it's a time when our hearts warm up with happiness as we prepare for time with family and loved ones. For others, who may be estranged from families and homes, it represents a time of struggle. For people, like Lauren, who is featured in this podcast, who had to deal with homelessness and an HIV diagnosis (and is still thriving decades later), it's a time of gratitude. December 1 is World AIDS Day. Take a moment to honor the people in the world who are struggling with HIV or AIDS, educate yourself and have compassion.

Integrate sustainability and serendipity into your life--Lisa Kivirist, Inn Serandipity

Lisa Kivirist and her husband traded in a life and workstyle that many of us have become very familiar with---long hours, stress and take-out dinners--for something much simpler. They learned the ropes of sustainability and food (from growing it to preparing it) one step at a time and turned their passion with purpose into a bed and breakfast called Inn Serendipity. The key to making substantial change, Lisa says, is making small, bite-size changes.

If you're in the midwest this summer, it may be worth checking this out.

http://www.innserendipity.com/

Pace Yourself--Gloria Steinem

When I co-interviewed Gloria Steinem, I was struck by her response to my colleague's question. My colleague asked 'what is it in your bones that makes you believe you can accomplish anything?' Gloria paused a moment before humbling explaining that she doesn't believe that. She suggested that we may be setting girls up for failure by telling them that they can accomplish anythig, because, as she explained, change takes time.

Malalai Joya

Malalai Joya considers herself a member of the war generation in Afghanistan. Because she says the women in her country can't afford to stay silent, complacent and uneducated, she is dedicating her entire life to the cause of fighting for democracy through education.

Bloom where you are planted! Tribute to Anne Nelson

No matter where in the world we end up or take ourselves, we are in charge of our own happiness and our life will be what we make of it. While working on my first book, The Journey of Life: 100 Lessons from Around the World, my mother suggested that I talk with her Scottish friend who wound up in what I had considered, "The-Middle-of-Nowhere, Wisconsin." I was deeply inspired by my interviewee's 'can-do,' 'life is what you make of it,' attitude and I'm sure you will be too.

Reflections on hunger--Lauren Jones