Monday April 4: Interview with Roller Derby girls!

On April 4, Geea and Allison will interview two ladies from the Calgary Roller Derby Association, Lexi Fatale from the Thrashin’ Lassies and Cheetah von Teese from the B52 Bellas. Their season opener is coming up on April 16th at the Triwood Arena! Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Check the website for details!

After the interview, we'll discuss the following news stories:

Women hold fewer than 1/3 of top news media jobs - Women do not occupy positions in media management at nearly the same rate as men. Women hold 27% of managerial jobs such as CEO, and 39% of senior management/editorial positions, like managing editor or bureau chief. Even for lower news gathering/writer/editor jobs, women only make up 41% of these positions.

How does Charlie Sheen get away with abusing women and become the highest paid actor on TV? Feminist blog Jezebel lays out 20 years of Sheen's history of abusing women, reminding us that he's been accused of assaulting, threatening, harassing, abusing, and—in one incident—shooting women.
In an excellent article from the New York Times, The Disposable Woman, Anna Holmes discusses how nobody's talking about Sheen's abusive history, and instead shrug him off as being just a "bad boy" or "rebel."

Monday's Show: Festival of Female Playwrights

On Monday, March 28 we’re interviewing Jacqueline Russel, organizer of Girls Gone Wilde, a festival of female playwrights happening April 1-2 in Calgary. Check out the Girls Gone Wilde website for info about this festival!

We’ll also discuss the following news stories:

American Apparel CEO uses secret contracts to silence models who pose nude for him – This news report exposes the binding and restrictive contract that American Apparel makes their models sign. It touches on the lack of rights and vulnerability to exploitation that models face (particularly amateur models), as well as CEO Dov Charney's abusive and toxic work environment, questions of labour relations and labour rights, and the blatant sexualization of women in their advertisements.

New Duke Nukem video game encourages players to kidnap and slap women – Duke Nukem Forever (to be released June 14th) has a “Capture the Babe” mode of play. Players are tasked with kidnapping a woman, throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her back to his base to share the spoils. If she “freaks out” players are encouraged to slap her until she shuts up.

Tonight: interview with Calgary Communities Against Sexual Assault... plus feminist news & views

Tonight we’re interviewing a few ladies from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA). We’ll be talking about the services and programs offered by CCASA, and how they help the community to understand issues around sexual violence.

After the interview we’ll share some feminist news and views on the following stories:

Eleven-year-old girl gang raped in Texas – if the story of 18 men and boys raping an 11-year old girl in an abandoned trailer home isn’t horrific enough, the New York Times added insult to injury with its appalling coverage of this story. Read the story yourself and see how the reporter victim-blames the girl and sympathizes with the rapists. The Feminist Philosophers have an excellent post discussing the problems within the New York Times article.

Generation Y women losing “female skills” – This article was posted in the Sunday Mail (Queensland, Australia) on January 30, 2011. I was drawn to it because it manages to be both sexist and really interesting at the same time! The fact that Generation Y women are losing skills such as cooking and baking is super interesting from a feminist perspective... but why did the article need to be framed in such a sexist overtone? According to Aussie feminist blog The Dawn Chorus, this is a “cheap, distasteful reporting strategy aimed at enraging readers who will circulate the story and comment on it, generating advertising revenue.” They may have a point – the story has 398 comments.


Egyptian Million Woman March ends in Tension - Numerous reports (including this one) recount what was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration of Egyptian women and men demanding equal rights at Tahrir Square in the nation's capital last week as part of an International Women's Day commemoration. The demonstration was met with anti-feminist chants and eventually aggressive behavior from those opposing the demonstrators and their message, saying women are meant to remain in the home and are not to become involved in political affairs. We'll discuss some of the details of the event, it's purpose and the peoples' reactions to what took place at Tahrir last Tuesday.

Tonight: Women in Film, Theatre & Television

Tonight on the show we interview Carol Whiteman, President & CEO of Creative Women Workshops Association. Carol organizes the Women in the Directors Chair Workshop to mentor and celebrate women working in film, theatre and television!

After our interview with Carol we’ll discuss the following recent events and issues:

• No jail time for rapist because victim “wanted to party” – The National Post, Feb 24, 2011
  Related: Do a tube top and high heels say, ‘Go ahead, rape me?’ – The National Post, Feb 24, 2011

• Anti-abortion billboards in New York and Los Angeles target Black women and spark outrage
  
  
• Protesters in 55 cities worldwide gathered for International Walk for Choice day on Saturday, February 26

Update on Tonight's Chat With Sunday Omony

Tonight we sat down with model, Humanitarian and all around wonder-lady Sunday Omony.

Such a lovely guest! During the program, we mentioned Sesame Street's "I Love My Hair" song, all about encouraging young girls to accept themselves (and their fabulous hair!). I promised I would post it for reference, so here it is!

The podcast of this episode will be available shortly. You can stream this and previous episodes here or subscribe via iTunes.

Tonight: Interview with Members of the Ellipsis Tree Theatre Collective

Tonight's show will feature an interview with two members of the Ellipsis Tree Theatre Collective. In the interview, we discuss the important existence of a collective like Ellipsis Tree in Calgary as it consists almost entirely of Afro/Caribbean-Canadian women.

Their latest production is the Pulitzer Prize winning play entitled "Ruined" by Lynn Nottage which made its Canadian premiere(right here in Calgary!) this past Friday. The play deals with sexual exploitation of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the war and runs until August 28th at The Lunchbox Theatre (160 115 9 Avenue SE). They will also be hosting a speaker symposium entitled "Breaking The Silence: Rape As A Weapon of War" at the Glenbow Museum on August 22nd (free admission!) in conjunction with Ruined. The symposium will host both women and men from the Democratic Republic of Congo who will speak on their experiences with war and violence against women and will feature an exhibit, "Walk With Me: Lived Experiences of The Sex Trade".


For details/tickets, those interested can visit ellipsistree.ca
Be sure to check the "Ruined" and "Breaking The Silence: Rape As A Weapon of War" event pages on Facebook as well.


We will also be sharing some great music for the second part of the program, so be sure to tune in tonight on CJSW 90.9 FM at 8:00pm (MST) for the goods!

Gloria Steinem on The Colbert Report

Check out this 5 min video of Gloria Steinem on The Colbert Report.

Gloria schools Colbert on the actual goal of the feminist movement (FYI, it's simple ... "equality." As Gloria jokes, "I know it sounds radical, but that was it!"). She also discusses how women are paid 25% less then men, and that men who take on household and child-rearing responsibilities have better marriages, live longer and have better sex. Hell yeah!

Tonight's Show: Feminist Curriculum at The Calgary Girls School!

Join us tonight for an interview with The Calgary Girls School (CGS) - a public school for girls in grades 4-9. What's really unique about the CGS is that it has some pretty progressive - even feminist(!) - curriculum.

In addition to teaching standard Alberta curriculum, the CGS has a program called "Go Grrrls" which helps young girls transition into successful, healthy women. The curriculum has several goals which are really cool - some of the most interesting ones include:

• Achieving a competent gender-role identification
• Establishing a healthy body image
• Developing a positive self-image
  
• Understanding sexuality

Join us tonight from 8:00 to 8:30 pm on CJSW 90.9 fm for this awesome interview! As always, if you miss our live show you can download our podcast.

Monday's Show - A Menstruation Special!

Join us on Monday evening for our "Menstruation Special" - a discussion about our menstrual cycles, PMS, birth control, ovulation and so much more!

Jennie Thunder interviews Megan Lalonde - a fertility expert and student midwife - who sheds light on our menstrual cycles, which is something that most women know surprisingly little about. For example, did you know that when you're on hormonal birth control (such as the pill, patch or injections), you don't have an actual period? You have a "withdrawal bleed." Learn about this and so much more by tuning in on Monday night from 8:30 to 9:00 pm on CJSW 90.9 fm!

This interview will also be podcasted, so if you miss the live show, be sure to check out our podcast. It should be available by Wednesday January 27 at the latest.

If you are interested in learning more about women's fertility, menstrual cycles and other related things, check out Justisse Healthworks for Women. You can contact Megan or find a Justisse practitioner near you by checking out the Practitioner Directory.

Tonight's Show: Camera, Woman!

On tonight's program, Geea and I will be joined by Jessica Dollard and Michelle Kneale of Urban Curvz Theatre Society. We are thrilled to have our guests tell us all about the upcoming Urban Curvz presentation of Camera, Woman! starring the award-winning Denise Clark as Golden Era filmmaker Dorothy Arzner.

Be sure to watch for a plethora of forthcoming projects courtesy of Urban Curvz, a company dedicated to exploring the trials and tribulations of women with theatre as its medium. Really, what could be more inspiring?! A full run-down of upcoming events, community information and details regarding Camera, Woman! are available from the lovely Urban Curvz website.

Tune in to hear the interview live tonight at 8:30pm (MST) on CJSW 90.9 FM and if you are outside of the Calgary area, you can stream it live from CJSW.com.

Podcast will be back soon!

Tonight's Show : Take Back The Night Candle Light Vigil

Tonight, Geea and I will be joined by a couple of the organizing members behind this year's Take Back The Night event in Calgary. You may have heard or read that the usual Take Back The Night march is not going forward this year due to lack of funding and a few other reasons , most of which we will discuss on tonight's program. However, a candlelight vigil will take place on Tuesday Sept. 22 at 8:00pm; we will be talking with Juliet and Jennifer about it.

Take Back The Night is an annual march, vigil and rally that takes place in September of each year. Participation is worldwide and events are held in almost every country around the globe. It's purpose has grown to not only focus on the right for women to feel safe from harm wherever they are but also to eliminate acts of violence against women on all fronts while encouraging awareness that violence - no matter whom it is directed to - cannot be tolerated. The event is typically a very empowering one and we hope that many of you will come out and show your support despite any financial "road-blocks" (pun was sort of intended).


For information on how to become involved or to join the planning committee, please send an email to tbtncalgary@gmail.com.

Tune in tonight at 8:30 PM on CJSW 90.9 FM and stream it live from the CJSW website.

Tonight's Show: A Chat With Artist, Jasmine Valentina

On tonight's show, we'll have a sit down with local artist and activist, Jasmine Valentina (a very dear friend of ours, here at YWSS). Jasmine's latest endeavor entitled Domestic Mobility will take to the streets of Calgary on Friday, June 26 from 4 - 9pm and Monday, June 29 from 12 - 3pm.

We'll talk to Jasmine about all of the pressing things, of course: art, activism and feminism in the context of artistic display.

Interviews with passersby will be conducted by Jasmine as she makes her way through urban spaces with her amazing sculpture in tow. The sculpture and interviews will show at Stride Gallery's +15 window with it's opening night on August 6, 2009.

Tune in at 8:30 pm (MST) on CJSW 90.9 FM and www.cjsw.com to hear all about it tonight!

On The Show, Tonight: A Chat With Kate Reid

Tonight, Geea and I are pleased to have the lovely Kate Reid joining us to chat all about her new album, I'm Just Warming Up. We'll be chatting with Kate about her signature dyke-folk with a kick; we'll also give you all the information you need to know about her upcoming CD release party this coming weekend.

Tune in to CJSW 90.9 FM at 8:30 PM (MST) or stream it online at www.cjsw.com

*Being the wonderful lady that she is, Kate has kindly offered to put you (+1) on the guest-list at the CD release party! Hit us up at yeahwhatshesaid@gmail.com if you want in!

Tonight's Show: Condi Takes on Calgary

Sorry for the late post everyone! This evening, Geea and I had a chat with Joanne Costello, a local activist, feminist and grad student who has started a petition asking the University of Calgary to rescind its invitation to former U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. The U of C's new school of public policy will be opening shortly and to celebrate this event, the school has invited Dr. Rice to speak at the opening gala. The Bush Administration was a tumultuous one as several of you know and as the Secretary of State, it is said that Condoleezza Rice played a large role in much of the instigation of what is called an illegal war by many.

For this reason, Joanne is collecting signatures in protest of Dr. Rice's visit since having her speak at the event would in some ways condone her involvement in the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. In support of the efforts made by Joanne and fellow anti-war citizens, you can sign the petition and/or attend a protest that will take place on the 13th of May outside of the Hyatt Regency Calgary where the gala will take place.

If you missed tonight's program you can listen to it by clicking the link to the right of this post.

Disclaimer: Please excuse the brief technical difficulties! We had some issues getting Joanne on the air but we sorted it out and the discussion was very engaging.

Tonight's Show - Women & Travel Adventure

Tonight we're interviewing local entrepreneur, Carol Patterson. Carol owns an ecotourism consulting firm in Calgary and is an author, lecturer and traveller. Her book, Reinventure: How Travel Can Change Your Life is about how travel allows us to reinvent ourselves over and over again. Travel helps us grow in ways we could never imagine and discover strengths within us we never knew we had.

I think this is particularly interesting for women because as a woman who has traveled alone before, I can honestly say it was the best thing I've ever done. It forced me to constantly meet new people and to rely on my own instincts and judgment. It gave me a confidence that nothing else could.

To hear our interview with Carol, tune in to CJSW 90.9 fm (or www.cjsw.com) from 8:30 to 9:00 pm on Monday, March 2.

Un-Valentine's Day for Girls - This Saturday

A group of rad Calgary women are putting together an Un-Valentines Day for teenage girls on Saturday Feb 14th. Girls aged 11-15 are invited to participate in this workshop which will teach them awesome skills like skateboarding, how to play guitar, t-shirt making and more!

The purpose of the event is to provide teenage girls with positive role models and self image. You can check out their website here.

We will also be interviewing the organizers on Monday Feb 23rd - so be sure to tune in at 8:30pm!

Mon Dec 22 - Can Men be Feminists?

Have you ever wondered if men can be feminists?
If so, be sure to tune in to our show on Monday Dec 22 from 8:30 to 9:00pm on CJSW 90.9 fm.
We'll be interviewing a male student at the University of Calgary who is majoring in Women's Studies.

Tip: You can listen to our radio program on-line - just follow this link.

Mon Dec 15 - Interview with a young feminist authour

When we found out that a 17 year old high school student in Calgary recently wrote (and published!) a feminist-themed book, we knew she had to come on the show!

Join us on Monday December 15th for our interview with Megan Ryland, author of Beauty and the Beast: Ending the Love/Hate Relationship Between Girls and Their Bodies.

We think it's pretty rad that such a young author has written a book about a major issue facing young women in North America today. It's wonderful to see that the feminist movement is still relevant and exciting to young girls today!

To learn more about Megan and her book, visit her website: Beauty and the Beast.