National Performers/Authors 2

A former journalist, Johanna Neuman covered the White House, the State Department and Congress for USA Today and the Washington bureau of the Los Angeles Times. During that period she served as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association and won a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. After leaving journalism, she returned to the academe, earning a PhD in history from American University. She is now giving motivational speeches on the women’s suffrage movement, in hopes of making history come alive and inspiring audiences to pursue their own course toward social change.

Her speech topics include:

• The Grassroots: How Local Mobilizing Won the Vote
• The Role of African American Women in Winning the Vote
• Who Won Women’s Suffrage – Moderates or Militants?
• How A Few Brave Male Progressives Helped Women Win the Right to Vote
• Why It Took Two Centuries for American Women to Win the Vote

Zoe has spent over 45 years studying her North Star, Miss Alice Paul.  These women have two monumental things in common; a commitment to Nonviolent Direct Action and an unswerving dedication to the ERA.

Surprises along the way include Zoe appearing in two full length documentaries, Still Working 9 to 5 (2022) and March On (2014).  Two shorts, An American Housewife and A Girl can Change the World. Featured in Ann Curry’s PBS series, We’ll Meet Again.  Zoe’s 5 books and #6 is percolating. 

Zoe is fundamentally a gifted storyteller who is lucky enough to have her own life to draw on.  Her current programs are ERA the Big Picture (virtual or in-person) and Tea with Alice and Me (90 minute theatrical one women show).

“Now, at age 74, I have crushed my coal into a diamond, culled the best of my insights and refined my art.  I specialize in audacity. I hear its contagious.”      Zoe Nicholson

Tea with Alice and Me is a full-length one-woman stage performance that invites the audience to visit the many places and ways that women have gathered. From Parlors to Tearooms, from Bookstores to Marches ~ Seneca, Selfridges, The National Woman’s Party, Springfield to Washington DC.  Of course, it is really about a cup of revolution served up in nonviolent direct action. From 1775 through today, Zoe takes you on her militant, revolutionary, feminist call to action. Supported with dozens of pictures, clippings and personal stories, you are transported to each time and place she describes. These two women have a lot to teach and inspire contemporary activists.

Program Description: ERA ~ This Big Picture (2022 – 2033) July 21, 1923 to yesterday; this is the full life of The Equal Rights Amendment.  Beginning with Miss Paul’s epiphany in 1906, taking you through its Congressional, legal, political life and, finally, examining where it is today.  The audience will leave with information, recommended actions,  information and lots of inspiration.   (available live or virtual)

Women have been almost invisible in the narrative of an epidemic that began in 1981 and still rages today. Noe’s work changes that to reflect the successes of women who sought no reward beyond an end to this scourge. These amazing women have not only served as caregivers, but researchers, activists, fundraisers and nonprofit leaders. Their successes include a four-year battle to change the government’s definition of AIDS to include its unique effect on women, finally opening the way to treatment and support services.

Drawing on extensive interviews and archival research, Noe shares inspiring stories of courage and persistence: the Junior League, raising money and awareness since 1986; the talented artists who used literature, theatre, music, TV and film to educate the public about the facts surrounding this virus; the celebrities who risked their careers to raise millions of dollars in the early days of the epidemic; the mothers who fought bigoted politicians and stigma. While there are several famous women included, such as Elizabeth Taylor, most of the women profiled have changed the course of the epidemic without public recognition. Until now.

This presentation offers optional slides of archival photos and images, and is available as a virtual presentation.

Victoria Noe is an award-winning author, speaker and activist. In 2006, she promised a dying friend that she would write a book about people grieving their friends. That promise led to the Friend Grief series, six collections of stories from people whose lives changed after their friends died. Her latest book is Fag Hags, Divas and Moms: The Legacy of Straight Women in the AIDS Community (available in print, ebook and audio), the first book to honor the contributions of women in fighting the AIDS epidemic. An accomplished public speaker with a background in theater, she has presented to such groups as The Muse and the Marketplace, Open Hand San Francisco, Mt. Sinai Medical Center and BookExpo America, as well as public libraries, independent bookstores, and nonprofit organizations in the US and London. Noe is a member of Authors Guild, Alliance of Independent Authors, ACT UP/NY and the Chicago AIDS Garden steering committee.

Anita has been the keynote speaker at numerous federal, state, and municipal events, as well as social, civic, and faith-based events.  Her ability to remain relatable and relevant gives her a freshness that has made her a sought-after speaker.

Speaking on the 2024 theme "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion", Anita will share stories of women who went from unknown to renown…ordinary women who stepped outside of their comfort zone and became change agents because each was driven by their inner voice telling them, “Enough is Enough!”

Anita will discuss the challenges and triumphs these ordinary women faced that made them become extraordinary because of their peaceful approach.

Lastly, Anita will offer tools and strategies to help you recognize your personal vision, and how to move it into action.

In addition to being a dynamic keynote speaker, Anita is a workshop facilitator and Life Coach.  Anita created and presented a powerful seminar for several U.S. Army Installations in Germany, as well as the Army Corp of Engineers here in the United States, in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Anita Hawkins Nowlen is a Certified Diversity Trainer and a Certified Women’s Leadership Coach, with an advanced certification with special emphasis on the “Times Up” and “Me Too Movement”.  She is an author in an anthology called, “How to Survive When Your Ship is Sinking:  Weathering Life’s Storms” and a contributing writer for other published books.

Anita says, “There is one common thread that links us together and that is the desire to be valued as a person.

It is because of that link her personal mission is “to enlighten, encourage, and empower purposeful and fulfilled living in the lives of others.”

Anita is available to speak throughout the year for other Special Emphasis Groups.

“I became totally enthralled with Sally’s time-warped take on the herstory of the suffrage movement . . . A+ on this self-declared ‘edutainment’ piece.” –Ty Stover, Stagequest

“. . . a whirlwind lesson on the history of the suffrage movement, complete with all the modern technology you can think of.  While she presents us with an intimidating amount of data, it is presented in a cheery light and it is not until the end of the show that you realize how much you have actually just learned.” –Wendy Carson, Plays With John & Wendy   

LENGTH: One hour.  Talk-back options available.

SEE A SAMPLE: Take a look at this preview video:STORYTELLER:Sally Perkins holds a PhD in rhetorical studies from the University of Kansas where she studied women’s right rhetoric.  She now travels throughout the country performing stories of all sorts to audiences of all ages and is often commissioned to research, craft, and perform historical stories. Most recently she performed at the 2018 Indianapolis Spirit & Place Festival, the 2018 Tennessee Haunting in the Hills Festival, and the 2018 Festival of Ghost Stories at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

HMS Queen Charlotte - Performances include: Live performance: “Her Majesty’s Tree” and digital media, produced for Tree Lightings, and Christian events. Also produce events for philanthropy, women’s empowerment, STEM education, music, and arts appreciation. –

Bio: HMS Queen Charlotte – at age 17 in Germany, Charlotte advocated for peace in a letter to the King of Prussia, asking him to stop his wars. This letter so impressed Britain’s Queen Mother that Charlotte was quickly betrothed to the young King George III. As Queen, Charlotte served as the Patroness of Botony and the Fine Arts; she supported Mozart, the Royal Academy of Art, and charity and education for young women. Queen Charlotte decorated the first magical Christmas tree, starting the tree trimming traditions celebrated today.

Molly Bloom - Performance includes: The live performance of  “Molly Bloom’s Soliloquy”, with violin music, produced for Bloom’s Day celebrations, literary or Joycean events and women’s studies.

Bio: Molly Bloom - Joyce’s wife and muse, Nora Barnacle, inspired his fictional character Molly Bloom. Nora and Molly did and said what they wanted, revealing truth, innocence and their ignorance.

The programs highlight contact and conflicts, making them more socially relevant and realistic. The recorded accounts of complex, brilliant, and intelligent women, true American heroes. Each performance is infused with Gwendolyn’s unique fingerprint.

Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti is an Actor, dramatist, historian, and storyteller. She began Historical Performing in 1997, at The University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures. The presentations introduce the audience to untapped accessible American History that gives a powerful, intimate, detailed portrait of the women in the Program. The programs highlight contact and conflicts, making them more socially relevant and realistic.  Each includes the recorded accounts of complex, brilliant, and intelligent women, true American heroes. Each performance is infused with Gwendolyn’s unique fingerprint giving an integral portrait of a historical event or person.

Received Theatre and Interpretation Techniques Certification at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.Received Alliance and Director’s Award for valuable service and Excellence Interpretation at the Institute of Texan Cultures San Antonio. Recipient of ESA Connecticut Chapter Portraying Sarah Harris at Prudence Crandall State Museum, naming a few.

Feed Back: Prof. Richard Schmidt Wesleyan University    reschmidt@weseyan.edu  Sue Tait Porcaro Windsor Historical Society     Windsor Historical Society 860-688-3813 Rebecca Schmidt   Acton Memorial Library   rschmidt@acton-ma.gov Alena Shellenbean     American Independence Museum      Alena@independencemuseum.org 603-772-2622

Description:  “I Can’t Die But Once” an American Hero, Harriet Tubman

Harriet a woman with unique qualities and abilities even though she was illiterate, kept an unblemished record of vigilance, sacrifice, and struggle. She was a spy for the Union and battled courageously behind enemy lines during the Civil War. The elementary school version is more palatable, but the real Tubman is far more inspiring.

“Looking Things Over” Zora Neale Hurston a Storyteller's Life. Zora was one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African American Literature, an American novelist, short story writer, folklorist, and anthropologist. Zora not only loved writing the folklore she enjoyed telling them. Zora celebrated the African American culture of the rural South because she believed that Black people had wonderful stories that the world needed to hear, she told them proudly.

“If I am Not for Myself Who will be for Me”  Ona Judge. When one thinks of our founding fathers enslavement does not come into their consciousness. Some of our founding fathers were themselves Slave owners. Ona’s owners, George, and Martha Washington, she was merely “the girl.”  There is always an underside hidden from sight unpleasant or reprehensible side that needs to surface to give an integral portrait of a historical event or person. Ona’s story is one such story.

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT: Living Little Women Alcott (1832-1888) was first the daughter of a self-educated, devoted mother and then an author, whose best-selling book, Little Women, ended a life of dire poverty for her family and herself. Growing up in the heart of the Transcendental community, she knew Henry Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson as friends and neighbors, but Louisa May Alcott really wanted to be an actress, not an author. “A gem…informative, entertaining, delightful, and moving.”—Rebecca Carey, Vocal Director, Oregon Shakespeare Festival

MARGARET SANGER: Radiant Rebel 1940 At a press conference in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Margaret Sanger relates her experience as a pioneer of legal contraception, her second marriage, her encounters with local officials and with international figures such as Gandhi. ” A gripping portrayal.” – Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre, PA 

MARGARET SANGER: Radiant Rebel 1916 Sanger (1879-1966), in an after-dinner speech, recounts growing up in a large and poor family and seeing her mother die young after a lifetime of consumption and seventeen pregnancies. As a nurse on the Lower East Side, Sanger cared for women who endured illegal abortions that were too often fatal. At a time when doctors were jailed for giving advice on contraception, Sanger recalls the daring steps she took to change the law, to make contraceptives legal and freely available to women. A huge success…Your show opened their eyes…to Sanger’s contribution to the Woman’s Movement. —College of Charleston, SC

MARGARET SANGER: HER LIFE IN HER WORDS ( Barricade Books 2004) “I want…to express my appreciation for such an important, inspiring, and detailed account of this remarkable woman. Thank you. Your work reminds me of the importance of knowing our history. The topic could not be more important than it is today.” Molly Murphy MacGregor, Executive Director, National Woman’s History Project The book deftly showcases Sanger’s grit and determination. Publishers Weekly

HURRAH FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE! Forty-minute Music CD, History Booklet with Song Lyrics, & Work Study Questions  $15.00 A GREAT learning tool for my U.S. History Class. —Barbara J. Rozek

MIRIAM REED proudly earned her doctorate in Comparative Literature (UCLA 1980) and discovered how little she knew. Specifically, she had no idea who Elizabeth Cady Stanton was. Galvanized by her own ignorance, Miriam determined to save other women from such ignominy and launched her one-woman performances to educate and entertain, calling her solo plays “Women’s History 101“ With her savings, she wrote Margaret Sanger: Her Life in Her Words (Barricade Books, 2003) Miriam lives with her Border Collie, Marnie, in Ashland, Oregon.

Through colorful visuals and engaging stories, Rebecca tells how these women battled pandemics, mental illness, sexist laws against women owning businesses, terrible wars, enemy occupation, and even Napoleon Bonaparte to forge their champagne empires. These brave women risked imprisonment and even death, while breaking all the rules to make champagne and founding the largest champagne houses today.

Rebecca can speak to your club via zoom or in person.

Rebecca’s historical novels about these women garnered 2022 EDITORS CHOICE HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY. The novels are available at bookstores and Amazon, or wholesale through Ingram Content Group.

CHAMPAGNE WIDOWS, First Woman of Champagne, Veuve Clicquot

https://www.amazon.com/Champagne-Widows-First-Woman-Clicquot-ebook/dp/B09D2HTJY9

MADAME POMMERY, Creator of Brut Champagne

https://www.amazon.com/Madame-Pommery-Creator-Champagne-Widows-ebook/dp/B0BSSKGQRX

Using excerpts from Mollie’s letters, Cyndee provides a glimpse into the life of a woman in uniform during this crucial time in history. Mollie was stationed in London before D-Day and during the German buzz bombs attacks after D-Day. She was then transferred to Normandy and Paris after its liberation and, because of her fluency in French, was able to act as an informal French translator in social and work –related situations. Finally she was transferred to Frankfurt, Germany as part of the Army of Occupation and witnessed first-hand the devastation of the country. This book vividly depicts her experiences from her first train trip to Daytona Beach, Florida for basic training in October 1943 to the dramatic image of her seeing the Statue of Liberty as her ship approached the shores of the USA in November as she returned home. Mollie passed away in April 2012 at 95 but Cyndee continues to share her fascinating story by speaking to groups including veterans groups, libraries, senior living facilities/centers, women’s groups, men’s clubs, historical societies, and other organizations. She discusses the writing adventure from inspiration to publication.

Presentation includes a PowerPoint slide show and a DVD of a recruiting movie produced by Warner Bros studio, “It’s Your War, Too” in which Mollie had two cameo appearances.   Presentations are for all ages and are adapted according to the audience. Some comments by groups who have attended presentations: Women’s group:  Your PEO program was such a delight for all of us Tuesday evening. From the beautiful display to the informative PowerPoint to your articulate script to the fascinating recruitment film, we learned so much. Your process encourages us all to look for those interesting family stories to tell. AAUW group:  We were unbelievably honored to have you come and tell your remarkable story of your mom and WWII. Our group was completely mesmerized by your presentation.  Yes, I am sure that it is always a little sad to tell your mom’s story especially since her passing, but it is truly the most wonderful way to honor her deeds and accomplishments. We are extremely blessed to have you tell her story and you couldn’t do a better job of keeping her spirit alive.

Institute for Continued Learning:   I believe that Mollie’s War had special meaning for me because it provided me with a rare vicarious encounter with loving family dynamics and a long and close mother-child relationship, which I never had the opportunity to experience. Few books I have read have had the lasting impression on me than yours has, and I never pass up the chance to recommend it to others.  It has been a joy to have become acquainted with you, and a privilege to have been able to help present your wonderful story to my colleagues. You are a truly delightful person, and I will long have fond memories of my good fortune to have met you–and your dear mother. Cyndee Schaffer 1-847-917-4125 Author of “Mollie’s War” http://www.mollieswar.com Fiscal 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Road Scholar from Illinois Humanities: http://www.prairie.org/program s/ihc-road-scholars-speakers-bureau Silver Award in the Nonfiction Book Awards: http://nonfictionauthorsassoci ation.com/category/bookawards/ read about Mollie’s War in North Shore Weekend magazine: http://issuu.com/jwcmedia/docs /tnsw_w28# Audio Version of “Mollie’s War” is now on the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Each woman’s story is infused with facts, humor, and includes a “call to action” for your audience. The presentation is an hour-long, and includes a Q&A session.

 The performances are available for libraries, schools, corporations, universities, civic, and religious groups. They are especially appropriate for women’s meetings, Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebrations in January, Black History Month in February, National Women’s History Month in March; and any time you need a unique presentation to support your individual program.

If you’d like me to create a specialized program for your event, please inquire about it when you contact me.

 Speaking Topics: 

Rosa Parks:Mrs. Parks made a stand by sitting down. She can teach your team how to make a bold stance when doing the right thing.

• Overcoming Fear
• Teamwork

Harriet Tubman:Harriet freed herself from slavery; and then returned to free others.

• Break Free From Fear & Self-Limitations
• Teamwork
• Strategic Planning
• Taking Consistent Action

Mrs. Coretta Scott King:Mrs. King tenaciously worked to make her husband's birthdate a national holiday. Mrs. King can speak about setting a BHAG'S - Big Hairy Audacious Goals and doing the work to see them come to fruition.

Goal SettingStrategic Leadership

Bessie Coleman:Bessie Coleman never took "no" for an answer. She can talk about the importance of persistence.

• Never Stop Pursuing Your Dream
• Never Take No For An Answer

Mary, Mother of Jesus:

• The Power of Love
• Resurrection Sunday

Choose one of the following:

1. American combat nurses during WW II. Learn about the brave women working in jungle and underground hospitals, on planes, trains, and ships. The combat nurses faced danger, human suffering, imprisonment, and discrimination.
2. American Women war correspondents who risked their lives going went behind enemy lines in WW II.
3. American women spies during WW II. Learn about their extensive training and dangerous missions.
4. Women on the home front: the Wendy the Welders, Rosie the Riveters and Japanese American interns in the Tanforan horse stables in San Bruno, CA.

5.The Women Airforce Service Pilots who ferried over 77 types of aircraft from the factories to 134 Army Bases. Thirty-eight pilots died and never left the United States.

6. Choose all five subjects in a synopsis of each category in an hour PowerPoint presentation.

Biography:

Jeane Slone is a member of the Pacific Coast Air Museum, Santa Rosa, CA and a 15-year member of Redwood Writers Club, a branch of the California Writer’s Club. She received the Jack London award for service to the club. Ms. Slone has a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and teaching certificate. She has taught several history classes at Sonoma State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and is a member of the National Women’s History Alliance.

Ms. Slone has distributed local author’s books since 2010.

She is the owner of ESL Publishing, a dedicated company that prints quality textbooks for second-language learners. www.eslpublishing.com

Ms. Slone is the daughter of parents who both served in the Army during WW II. She has published five historical novels all of which are historically accurate with a composite of real characters.

 She Flew Bombers During WW II, winner of the national 2012 Indie Book Award. Available also as an audio book through audible.com.

She Built Ships During WW II, also available in an ESL version with workbook.

She Was an American Spy During WW II.

She Was a Photographer Behind Enemy Lines. Finalist in the Indie Excellent Book Awards.

She Was a Combat Nurse During WW II.

To purchase the historical novels: www.jeaneslone.com.

A Hollywood producer has optioned for the historical novels to have a TV series produced titled, War Gals: Unsung American Heroines.

Bio

Ellen Snortland is a lawyer, teacher, author, columnist and author book coach. She is a regular opinion columnist for the Pasadena Weekly and her writing has been featured in major US newspapers and magazines for decades. Ellen has also been a speaker, journalist and delegate for major United Nations World Conferences such as the Women’s Conference in Beijing and Conference Against Racism in South Africa, and the Commission on the Status of Women in New York City. An instructor and on the board of the 501c3 IMPACT Personal Safety of Los Angeles, Snortland is the author of “Beauty Bites Beast: The Missing Conversation About Ending Violence,” a how-come book about women’s personal safety that was featured on Dateline NBC. She is the director, writer and producer of the award-winning documentary film version of “Beauty Bites Beast,” based on her book of the same name. Ellen is also the co-author of “The Safety Godmothers,” along with fellow self-defense expert Lisa Gaeta. Ellen’s TEDx talk explores her mission to empower people through self-defense: http://tinyurl.com/tedx-ellen.

Snortland lives in Altadena, CA, with her husband, Ken Gruberman, and their 3 naughty dogs.

Beauty Bites Beast Info

Beauty Bites Beast Trailer:   http://bit.ly/BBB-Trailer

Beauty Bites Beast Description

Consider that one-third of all women and girls worldwide are assaulted during their lifetime, and chances are they didn’t fight back. Why is this, when females of other species would? Beauty Bites Beast sets out to answer this question and vanquish the barriers to teaching women and girls unarmed verbal and physical empowerment-based self-defense. The film flips ideas about female helplessness, as women undertake the transformative experience of learning verbal, emotional and physical techniques and reclaim their lives. How often can you say with certainty that a movie will save lives? This one already has.

Quotes for “Beauty Bites Beast”:

“I was one of the women who thought self-defense was victim blaming. I had it so wrong. What Beauty Bites Beast showed me, in a truly transformative way, was that self-defense is about agency. My right and capacity to set and protect my own boundaries.

I also believed that self-defense was always violent, for tomboys, not what a nice girl should ever do. Besides, the onus should be on men to change their behavior towards us, right? I had it so wrong again. The film breaks down how self-defense can play a role in true empowerment. You will laugh, you may tear up, but you will definitely walk away enlightened.” — Petra Hand, a UN representative in Iraq and international business consultant

Ellen Snortland and Medal of Freedom winner Dolores Huerta on the set of “Beauty Bites Beast”

Now That She’s Gone (NTSG) Info

Now That She’s Gone: Unraveling the Mystery of My Mother
Written & Performed By: Ellen Snortland
“With a name like Snortland, she’d better be good.”   

NTSG Description

“Now That She’s Gone” is the kind of one woman show that people who hate one woman shows love. Juxtapose a sexually liberated and wild daughter thoroughly enjoying life with a stoic Norwegian-American domesticated mother who sounds like she just got off the boat, and you get a flavor of the NTSG smorgasbord.

Full of humor and poignancy as well as human rights and history, NTSG has been performed as a staged reading and as a full stage performance across the country and around the world since 2008. Everywhere the show has been performed, audiences have connected with Ellen and her odd relationship with her mother. There’s the comedy of their intertwined lives, their final touching moments together and Ellen’s uncovering the secret of her mother’s mysterious behavior.

This story is universal in its appeal and reaches across age, gender, race, religion, political affiliation and sexual orientation to bring something identifiable to all who see it: how we relate to the most important relationship in our lives… our parents.

“Now That She’s Gone” was first produced by EMP Theatricals, LLC, at the 2008 NY International Fringe Festival and premiered in Europe at the 2011 Edinborough Fringe Festival.

NTSG Quotes

Gloria Steinem, feminist, journalist, political and social activist says, “Ellen has a gift for being serious and funny, making you laugh and understand at the same time.”

Riane Eisler, author of “The Chalice and the Blade” says, “Ellen’s play is a must see. Her performance is stupendous! The play is funny, moving…like real life; it comes from the heart.”

Nora Dunn, SNL Alum says, “Ms. Snortland delivers a poignant and completely original insight into the mother/daughter relationship that is deeply moving, and often profound.”

Ken Gruberman, multiple Grammy award winner says, “I liked Ellen’s play so much that I married her!”

Throughout Murray's life, she fought for the oppressed, not only through changing laws, but by using her powerful prose to influence those who could affect change. She lived by her convictions and challenged authority to demand fairness and justice regardless of the personal consequences. Without seeking acknowledgement, glory, or financial gain for what she did, Pauli Murray fought in the trenches for many of the rights we take for granted. Her goal was human rights and the dignity of life for all. Although Pauli Murray's accomplishments have been mostly unrecognized, the tide seems to be turning. Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray's image will grace the first quarter in 2024 for the U.S. Mint's American Women's Quarters Program.  Also, an award winning documentary was released in 2022, My Name is Pauli Murray. 

Rosita will give a thought provoking speech (in-person or virtually), plan a multi-faceted field trip and/or school assembly, be a knowledgeable member of a panel to inspire youth and seasoned listeners. Rosita and Pauli's stories will help listeners learn to overcome adversity and achieve one's goals with persistence and determination. Specialized programs for adults include Prosecco with Pauli, an interactive discussion with wine, wisdom and whimsy and Safe Spaces Sessions, a session that may include marginalized people to discuss, process, and heal from the trauma and stress caused by discrimination, racism, sexism and other forms of oppression. Safe Spaces Sessions allows individuals to feel supported and respected for exactly who they are. Fireside Chats hosted by Rosita are modeled after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and can revolve around the political climate, social issues or lighter topics as requested.

Rosita also hosts a plethora of virtual programs. Coffee Club Zoom will revolve around a topic cultivated by Rosita and the host and will be a lively, interactive discussion with a diverse group of participants. This is also offered as a monthly, quarterly or bi-annual program. Pauli, Tea and Me is similar to Coffee Club Zoom but this program revolves around the life and work of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray.

As a long-time educator, Rosita enjoys teaching, interacting with and learning from the youth. In addition to Children's Hour Readings, Rosita plays games such as acrostic poetry, and gets kids involved with "Think, Pair and Share", "Buzz Session", brainstorming groups and even light-hearted debate sessions.

Rosita enjoys creating and cultivating new spaces for programs in which community members can come together to discuss life or even brainstorm how to achieve common goals and desires. She will happily customize programs to suit the goals and needs of your adult and/or youth group.

Rosita has presented before the Federal Reserve Bank, various chapters of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Tavis Smiley's syndicated radio program, The Diocese of Atlanta, Meredith College, University of Colorado, Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, Saint Mark United Methodist Church Atlanta, Solidarity and Social Justice Committee, Carolina Friends School, and many more.

More about Rosita: Ms. Stevens-Holsey is a recently retired educator with Prince George's County Public Schools (in Maryland) and now devotes her full time to uplifting Aunt Pauli's legacy, which is her passion project.  She accomplishes this through various avenues.  Aside from being a supporter and Board Member of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, she has also founded an organization, Preserving Pauli Murray, LLC.  Rosita travels the country speaking about her Aunt Pauli via interviews, podcasts, keynote speeches, sitting on panels, giving school assemblies and/or field trips, etc.  In addition to this, Rosita has written an award winning biography entitled Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist & Civil Rights Activist, co-authored with Terry Catasús Jennings.  

Ms. Stevens-Holsey is also a board member of the National Women's History Alliance (NWHA, which is responsible for what is now known as Women's History Month) and a founding member of the Black Women's History Committee of the NWHA.  Rosita is a member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), NAACP and Change the Names Project.

Amending America includes Abigail Adams, Rose Crabtree – member of The 1920 All Women Town Council of Jackson Hole, WY, and Alice Paul – 20th Century Suffragist. (Other suffragists are mentioned as well)   Amending America educates audiences to a vital, yet neglected era of American history. Each woman portrayed in the context of her time with song, monologue, poetry, and movement. Optional Q&A after performance. The closing song includes American Sign Language.  Shows are adapted to each audience.  Excellent for schools K-12, College and University, Government, Military, Conferences, Conventions, Women and Civic Groups. Tours nationwide.

In Forging Frontiers: Women Leaders in STEM Kate brings to life historic American STEM leaders and also highlights diverse contemporary STEM role models. Meet Rachel Carson – marine biologist, writer and environmentalist; and Louise A. Boyd who led SEVEN Arctic expeditions in the 1920’s and 1930’s! Forging Frontiers helps break through cultural biases, highlights inspiring STEM role models and encourages participants to further explore STEM classes and career options.  “If you see it-you can be it!”. Program adapts for audiences 8 years to adults.

 Women: Back to the Future includes, a choice of two or three women, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Abigail Adams, Lucy Stone, Rose Crabtree, Alice Paul, Louise Arner Boyd, Rachel Carson…and more. Contact Kate for more information.

Popular programs include:

Not Like Joan of Arc - Stories about fascinating women warriors you've never heard of, beginning with the oldest known women warriors (from the second millennium BCE). Toler introduces you to a group of women warriors who turned out to be more important than she expected. And she debunks the myth that women have not and therefore cannot be warriors.

In Disguise – Stories of women who disguised themselves as men to enlist in the American Civil War and how they fit into the long lineage of cross-dressing women soldiers.

From Unwanted to Indispensable: The Real Nurses of the Civil War - The story of how thousands of women with little or no experience with nursing volunteered to serve their country during the Civil War, taught themselves how to do the job under adverse circumstance (including hostility from the surgeons with whom they worked), and created a profession that did not exist before the war.

The Dragon From Chicago - The story of Sigrid Schultz, the Chicago Tribune's Berlin bureau chief and primary foreign correspondent for Central Europe from 1925 to January, 1941. She was one of the first reporters—male or female—to warn American readers of the growing dangers of Nazism. It’s a story that includes working around glass ceilings, keeping the news flowing despite tightening controls on the media, outwitting Nazis in Germany, standing up against pro-Nazi sympathizers at home, and dealing with claims of “fake news” on both sides of the Atlantic, plus a little bit of a conspiracy theory.

"Toler blows past all expectations with this thoroughly delightful, personable, and crucially important history of women warriors."--Booklist

Her newest lecture: FACT CHECKING FEMINISM  See more at: Sallyroeschwagner.com. Available by zoom and in person.

The women’s suffrage movement began in 1848 in Seneca Falls, NY and Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton led the fight for the vote until 1920, when women received the right to vote with the 19^th amendment.

Is this the story you learned about the women’s suffrage movement?  Unfortunately, every part of it is wrong.

• Indigenous women have had political voice on this land for 1000 years, while 2020 marks 100 years since the constitution added women to legal voters in the United States.
• Women voted in the colonies. They lost the right after the revolution when states made it illegal for women – and African American men – to vote.
• Black and white women organized anti-slavery societies a decade before the Seneca Falls convention, where they learned the essentials of organizing they brought to the women’s rights movement.
• Initially women created a women’s rights movement, demanding everything from equal pay to a woman’s right to control her body. After a merger of the conservative and progressive suffrage organizations in 1890 the focus narrowed to a push for the vote.

While the 19^th amendment guaranteed women the right to vote, in practice voter suppression laws denied, and continue to deny the vote to citizens.

Three lecture tops are currently available:

1- Great Ladies of the American Revolution

Women wanted independence just as much as the men. The impact that ladies had on the revolutionary effort did not take center stage and has been underrated. The involvement of some of these women has not been as recognizable as others but they all had one thing in common, patriotic passion.  These women were steadfast, dependable and assisted in every way imaginable, many even risking their own lives and fearing for their personal safety. Martha Washington speaks about a number of these great ladies and what they did for the cause.

2- Martha Washington – HER LIFE

Martha's happy childhood, her courtships, her children, grandchildren, friends, and her heartaches are subject of this one hour lecture. This remarkable life did not unfold as she would have liked but great happiness was found along the way. Determined to be happy and cheerful, Martha made the most of her days on earth and was granted, in her obituary, this grand notation: "

SHE WAS THE WORTHY PARTNER OF THE WORTHIEST OF MEN."

3 - The First, First Lady - Martha Washington

Martha Washington's eight years as the first, First Lady were extremely difficult for her, but she viewed it as a duty to her husband and she learned to make the most of her situation. By the time she arrived at the capital, her husband's secretary, who had lived in Europe, created a series of rigid protocol rules that she found especially limiting of her, particularly the one which forbade her and the President from accepting invitations to dine in private homes. She often felt isolated, lonely, and frustrated with the way the press portrayed her husband. This is an in-depth look at Martha’s eight years as she made her way as the first lady of a new land. There were no guidelines to help her navigate these new political waters. She had only her past experience and common sense to help lead the way.

www.marthawashington.com www.maggieworsdale.com www.travelingliterarytheater.com