Maryland – Performers and Authors

However in this lively all-ladies Latin dance team, ladies step up to the plate and learn this material themselves, demonstrating that women can lead very capably, too! The phenomenon of women leading partnership dances reflects their changing role in society.  In the spirit of “art imitates life,” DanceInTime brings you a presentation in which ladies embrace all the roles that are played by Latin dancers. And the audience members may want to bring their dancing shoes, as the program can be constructed to give them a chance to learn some dance steps if they wish!  (Women in the audience can be given the opportunity to learn the leader’s steps, of course.)  The program is guaranteed to be both empowering and fun!! Every time this show is done, it’s uniquely designed to best suit each venue/audience.  The show would generally be constructed to include any or all of these components, according to what is desired:

1. Performance by two dancers
2. Performance by a dance team  (Can include having the audience guess which dancer is leading/which is following)
3. Instruction for anyone in the audience who might like to try some moves
4. Brief talk about the history of women’s roles from antiquity to the present and how they have changed.  Talk can include discussion of how dance roles reflect societal norms, and the tradition-breaking work done by this dance group.

Spend some time with some extraordinary women! Together, Barbara Callander and Toni Douglass have been touring original plays about women’s history for almost 20 years. Programs include:

Scott Free – Abigail Scott Duniway, who fought for women’s rights and the vote in Oregon and throughout the Northwest for over 40 years. (Both adult and children’s versions available.)

May’s Vote – Prim Emma Smith DeVoe and outrageous May Arkwright Hutton, who worked side by side – but seldom eye to eye – to win the vote for women in Washington State in 1910.

Winners – A portrait gallery of women’s rights trailblazers, “extremists” who helped to make today possible, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Dr. Mary Walker, and Febb Burn, the mother of the Tennessee legislator who cast the deciding vote in the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

I Cannot Think: An Anti-Suffrage Monologue – Satirical suffrage propaganda piece, written by pro-suffragist Marie Jenney Howe in 1913. Mrs. W. Winslow Crannell shares her views on “the woman question” and the terrible disasters that will befall the country if women become voters. She’s serious . . . and hilarious.

Daisy with Asters – Juliette Low, the late-blooming eccentric who founded the Girl Scouts, opening doors for millions of girls in her time and beyond.

“I learned more history tonight than I learned in years of history classes.” – audience member at a performance of Scott Free

“It should be seen by every woman of every age.” – Donna Nylander, League of Women Voters

“An inspired script and two equally inspired and inspiring actors . . . a stellar production.” – Victoria Kill, Wismer Women’s Center, Seattle University

All performances include post-play discussion. Other characters and custom-designed programs also available. Nationwide touring possible.   Availability: WA, OR, MD

~ Healers & Heroes ~

Clara Barton: Civil War Nurse & Founder of the American Red Cross  Clara Barton was an 1821 Christmas baby.   After careers as a teacher and a clerk, she headed for the front lines in the Civil War, taking supplies to wounded soldier and earning the title “Angel of the Battlefield.” Later, she established the American Red Cross, bringing disaster relief to countless thousands. Clara’s indomitable determination and boundless good will are a model for all Americans.

Dorothea Dix:  Advocate for the Mentally Ill & Head of Civil War Nurses  Dorothea Dix was born into a respected New England family, but her early life was a hard one.  As a girl, she was called upon to take care of her sickly mother and two small brothers in the Maine wilderness. With her grandmother’s help, Dorothea went to school in Boston and opened a successful school for the poor, became the Civil War’s Head of Nurses, and later returned to her life’s work, profoundly affecting the destinies of mentally ill people throughout the country.  She was determined to make a difference, and with the help of family and friends, Dorothea made her dreams come true.

Carrie Chapman Catt:  Suffragist, Founder of the League of Women Voters and National Women’s Hall of Fame Honoree  Born in 1859, Carrie Chapman Catt became a popular school superintendent, charismatic lecturer, astute organizer and two-time president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.  She was Susan B. Anthony’s hand-picked successor and a major force in the 19th Amendment becoming a reality in 1920.  Carrie was featured on the cover of Time Magazine, worked for world peace and children’s rights, and received the Chi Omega Award at the White House.  This show is getting Rave Reviews!  Watch Carrie’s Trailer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ehKy6B9GVMQ

Louisa May Alcott: Reformer & Author of “Little Women”  Nineteenth Century writer Louisa May Alcott grew up in a time of radical social change.  After a childhood spent in ‘genteel poverty’, she struggled to establish a writing career, later becoming a Civil War nurse.  Louisa never married and continued to write and work tirelessly for reform as she single-handedly supported her family.  It’s an extraordinary story!

More:  Amelia Earhart, Betsy Ross, Martha Washington, Mary Todd Lincoln, Indentured Servant Bridgid O’Murphy, Pennsylvanian Anna Morris Holstein

Client & Audience Reactions

“She talks the talk and walks the walk [in] a convincing first-person voice to share the compelling and decades-long story of the fight for women’s right to vote.” League of Women Voters of Radnor

“Thank you for…a great performance. We hope to have you here again.” NASA-Langley

“We have 28 participants enrolled in your Elder Week lecture and are very excited!” Delaware Co. Elder Week

“Carrie… got rave reviews!” Shannondell Community Interest Group

“Betsy Ross was perfect!”  PA Sleep Study Conference

“Pat tells a dynamic and memorable story in a short amount of time, and students from all locations and backgrounds have reacted very well to her.” Dir. of Campus Life, Delaware County Community College

“You had the audience mesmerized.  BRAVO!”   NJ-AARP Chapter

“Thank you, thank you!  …Amelia came to life for [my daughters] and me.”  College Park Airport Museum

“…A wonderful portrayal…so quiet, you could hear a pin drop!  That’s a first for our group.” Jacksonville Community Center

“Everyone loved you…You take such a personal interest, we can tell you love it too.  Also, here’s a copy of the article/interview by the local paper–you were front page!”  Montville Historical Society

Award-Winning Shows:  U.S. Coast Guard Museum Captain’s Coin; Public Scholar for NJ Council for the Humanities; BellAtlantic Video Awards contest; Women for Greater Philadelphia; NAVSUP Commander’s Coin – US Navy; Federal Women’s Program Appreciation Award

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.