About The Blog

The Second Wave Feminists helped us live through an age when the greatest compliment you could give a woman was 'she does it like a man.' But now, we are doing it 'like a women,' and we are changing the world. – Maya Friedler, Exec. Director, Women's Media Group

Through our radio series The Feminist Lens, film screenings and live events, we present the variety, scope and imagination of women artists and activists working in the world today. Through this Blog, we reveal the details of how we put together our radio shows and programs, provide history and background on the artists, and give links in the community. We also want to respond to your feedback, as we reflect on culture and politics, and express our own views as media producers, artists, writers, activists and feminists. Join us!


"I enjoyed the show very much. I looked up the artists and their web sites. Thank you so much for this discussion."

"I really enjoyed listening to The Feminist Lens. It's wonderful to hear about the many talented women artists who are out there enriching our lives with their art."

The Feminist Lens Celebrates Diann DeWeese Smith a Friend and a Fighter

“Here Comes the Sun: A Tribute to Diann DeWeese Smith”

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Posted by admin on Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Here Comes The Sun: A Tribute to Diann DeWeese Smith–Program and Playlist

Program

“Anything, no matter what crazy thing I thought to do she thought it  was perfect and that’s the definition I think of friendship.”

~Carol Kleiman

Opening Comments — Recorded live at Diann DeWeese Smith’s Memorial Service

-Carol Kleiman

Introduction to the tribute and a reading of Diann’s writings.

- Marilyn R. Campbell Lowe

Speakers collected and recorded at Diann’s Memorial Service

-Ronne Hartfield, Christie Hefner, Maya Friedler, Fay Clayton and Cathy Bell

Diann DeWeese Smith in her own words

Interviews by Maya Friedler

Guests: The author of the latest V.I. Warshawski novel “Break-Down”, Sara Paretsky, Anne Ladky, Executive Director of Women Employed and Pamela Bozman-Evans from the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

Poems

When Death Comes by Mary Oliver

Read by Sara Paretsky

The Laughter of Women by Lisel Mueller

Read by the WMG ensemble including Marylin Campbell, Maya Friedler and Cat Jarboe joined by guests Sara Paretsky, Anne Ladky, and Pamela Bozman-Evans

Final Thoughts

-Maya Friedler

Playlist

  • Kay Gardner, Touching Souls
  • Nina Simone, Here Comes The Sun
  • Kinnie Star, Sun Again
  • Eva Cassidy, Aint no Sunshine
  • Odetta, Go Down Sunshine
  • Peggy Seeger, Not Gonna Give it Back
  • Peggy Seeger, Wish I Was an Engineer
  • Sweet Honey In The Rock, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round
  • Peggy Lee, Ain’t We Got Fun

Read Diann’s Chicago Tribune Obituary here.

“Here Comes the Sun: A Tribute to Diann DeWeese Smith” was written by Marilyn Campbell and Maya Friedler with introductions and closing credits by Cat Jarboe. The Feminist Lens is a production of Women’s Media Group, Inc. Maya Friedler, Executive Producer and recorded in cooperation with WFMT Fine Arts Radio, Chicago; Steve Robinson, Vice President; Peter Whorf, Program Director; Don Mueller, Production Manager. Produced by Maya Friedler; Hosted by Marilyn Campbell; Audio Production and Editing by Cat Jarboe; Directed by Al Nowakowski; Sound Engineering by Josh Sauvageau.

“Here Comes the Sun: A Tribute to Diann DeWeese Smith” is brought to you in part  by Wishbone Restaurant: Southern Cooking for thinking people.  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Wishbone serves fresh food at prices that leave room for more . 3300 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.


Posted by admin on Monday, March 26, 2012

Cheers to Nicole Hollander, Creator of the Fabulous Sylvia!

Dear Nicole,
Sylvia will always be with us when we need her for her clarity and wit.
Keep in touch so that we can stay plugged into her vision.
Love, Maya and the gang at The Feminist Lens!
Cheers!

Fans can catch up with the Cast of Cats here on Facebook and on Nicole’s blog, BadGirlsChats.com

Posted by admin on Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Coming to the Table Program & Playlist

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Click on above media player  to hear the podcast of the show.

Barbara Ciurej, Jean Hunt, Hedy Ratner, Maya Friedler

Women’s Media Group Presents “Coming to the Table”,
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of The Dinner Party Project in Chicago

“It was like a punch in the nose, but really beautifully packaged.” -Bette Cerf Hill

The Program
Opening Comments ……………………………………Nia O’Reilly Amandes

Introduction to The Dinner Party Project …….Marilyn Campbell, ensemble

Personal Reflections …………………………………..Marilyn Campbell

The Group:  Ideas, Inspiration, Friendships, Legacy …………………….Interviews
with Barbara Cuirej, Bette Cerf Hill, Jean Hunt, Hedy Ratner
Interviewers:  Maya Friedler, Marilyn Campbell

Congress and The Dinner Party ………………….Ensemble

Final Thoughts …………………………………………..Maya Friedler

With quotes from Hilton Kramer, U.S. Representatives Robert K. Dornan and Ron Dellums, Cornelia Parker, Judy Chicago and Women of the Dinner Party: Elizabeth I of England, Sojourner Truth and Georgia O’Keeffe

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Musical Excerpts

It’s My Party, Leslie Gore, rel. 1963
Written by John Gluck, Wally Gold and Herb Weiner

Dancing in the Street, Laura Niro, Gonna Take a Miracle, rel. 1971
Written by William “Mickey” Stevenson and Marvin Gaye

Respect, Aretha Franklin, single, rel. 1967, Written by Otis Redding

Who Knows Where the Time Goes, Sandy Denny, compilation rel. 1987

For the Creator (O, Quam Mirabilis), Vision: The Music of Hildegarde von Bingen, rel. 1994

I Am Woman, Helen Reddy (cowritten by Ray Burton), single rel. 1970

Walk on By, Laura Niro, Angel in the Dark, rel. 2001
Written by Burt Bachrach, music and Hal David, lyrics

Live at an ERA rally/We Will Never Give Up, Kristin Lems, Equality Road

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“Coming to the Table” was written by Marilyn Campbell and Maya Friedler. The Feminist Lens is a production of Women’s Media Group, Inc. Maya Friedler, Executive Producer, recorded in cooperation with WFMT Fine Arts Radio, Chicago; Steve Robinson, Vice President; Peter Whorf, Program Director; Don Mueller, Production Manager. Produced by Maya Friedler and Jamie O’Reilly; Hosted by Marilyn Campbell; Audio Production and Editing by Cat Jarboe; Directed by Al Nowakowski; Sound Engineering by Josh Savaneau; Musical Direction by Jamie O’Reilly.

This program is made possible with support from: The Roslyn Group of Arts and Letters Fund at the Chicago Foundation for Women and Wishbone Restaurant, with appreciation.

Special thanks to Tina Battle, Mary Watson, Mindy Friedler and Guy Nickson

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Posted by admin on Monday, September 26, 2011