Women's Liberation Radio News

On March 19th, 2018, WLRN's Thistle Pettersen aired interviews with feminists Julie Bindel and Meghan Murphy via WORT 89.9 FM's airwaves. Two days later, a public discussion took place at the station at their board meeting that Thistle was not invited to nor was she aware that it was happening. This is a recording of that discussion. Several members of the Madison community, some local journalists and others paid staff at WORT, spoke disparagingly of Thistle's character, accusing her of being "less than honest" and pulling a "bait and switch" regarding her program. The truth is, Thistle met about a month before the program aired with Molly Stentz, WORT's news director, and outlined the content of the live interviews she was going to air. The news director did not object to Thistle's choice of guests and the program was aired. The only thing that changed about the program is that one of Thistle's guests, could not be on the air live, so Thistle recorded the interview ahead of time. You can listen to the interviews Thistle did with Julie and Meghan here: https://soundcloud.com/wlrn-media/interviews-with-julie-bindel-meghan-murphy-on-wort-899-fm-in-madison Why is it that women talking about the impacts of gender identity culture and laws on girls and women is viewed as "hate speech" and "incredibly harmful" to the community? Why are women not allowed to use our own tools of analysis and speech to describe women's oppression? Minutes 1:15-6:25 Emily Mills is author of this libelous piece in Our Lives Magazine http://ourlivesmadison.com/article/terf-wars/ Emily says "Thistle has harassed people I know who identify as transgender or non-binary" but provides no evidence for this statement. Minutes 6:25-6:55 David Devereaux-Weber, WORT board president Minutes 6:55-11:20 Dylan Brogan, staff writer at the Isthmus. He was at the meeting primarily to defend Molly Stentz's reputation among her peers at the station but also made disparaging comments about Ms. Pettersen. There was no "bait and switch" Here is proof on the WORT web site from a December 2017 post: https://www.wortfm.org/tag/womens-liberation-radio-news/ Minutes 11:25-16:35 WORT paid staff Nathan MQuillen. Since this meeting, Nathan has been dismissed from the WORT community due to charges of sexual assault of a child. You can read more about that here: http://www.hngnews.com/waunakee_tribune/news/local/article_c8c80121-b61f-5b3f-9791-52f0b9b82f24.html In Nathan's testimony he says that Thistle's guest engaged in "blanket misgendering of transgender individuals" and that the show should have been yanked from the air starting at the 16 minutes mark due to this. Minutes 16:45-20:25 Glenn Mitroff, paid staff at WORT. Glenn is the Volunteers Coordinator. He complains of Thistle's past shows that should have been "evidence" that the March 19th show was going to be just as bad. You can hear those two shows here: https://soundcloud.com/wlrn-media/november-3rd-2014-interview-with-sheila-jeffreys-elizabeth-hungerford-and-jane-doe and https://soundcloud.com/wlrn-media/the-sounds-of-michfest-2015-a-radio-documentary-on-the-last-michigan-womyns-music-festival Minutes 20:35-22:25 Nathan MQuillen Minutes 22:05-22:54 Dylan Brogan "I really think Molly needs to be here since her actions are being called into question." Minutes 23:20-24:15 Paul Novak, WORT board member. Minutes 24:20-24:35 Jerry Chernow, WORT board member. Minutes 24:35-26:25 Stuart Levitan, WORT board member talking with another WORT board member who says he thinks the show violated the WORT mission statement. Stu asks him if he's listened to the show and he says "no." 26:35-29:23 David, Doug and Stu discuss process and somebody mentions they have not heard Molly Stentz' point of view. 29:25 - 30:13 Glenn Mitroff 30:15-30:55 Dylan Brogan 30:55-32:10 Nathan MQuillen 32:12 - 33:35 Emily Mills

In this discussion, Coach Linda Blade, a track and field coach and president of Athletics Alberta, highlights the impact of trans-inclusive policies on women's sports. She emphasizes the need for women's voices in this critical conversation, focusing on fairness and safety in athletic competition. Alongside her, Beth Stelzer of Save Women's Sports tackles the physiological advantages that some trans women may have, urging advocates to contact the International Olympic Committee for equitable policies. They discuss the vital role of camaraderie and solidarity among female athletes.

It’s Earth Day 2019 and this month’s music hour will be given to songs about the Earth in her peril, her beauty and her resilience. I’ll be weaving in quotes by Rachael Carson whose consciousness changing book Silent Spring has affected a generation of environmental practices and attitudes. Song List: Cold Frost Morning Barbara Higbie The Whole World is Burning Jennifer Berezan Muddy Road Walela Battered Earth Sweet Honey in the Rock Beautiful Dawn The Wailin' Jennys Mississippi Song Rising Appalachia Cherokee River Walela Gula Gula Mari Boine Aye Kerunene Keruna Tuulet (The Winds) Tellu Tundra Flower Mari Boine Earth My Body Alice Di Micele, Elouise Burrell, Freyda Epstein, Tina Malia, Windsong In These Arms: A Song for All Beings Jennifer Berezan

Kara Dansky, a lawyer and board member of the Women’s Liberation Front, and Ann Menasche, a founding member of Feminists in Struggle, engage in a thought-provoking debate on strategies for women’s liberation. They explore the intersection of left and right ideologies, critique recent global threats to women's rights, and advocate for grassroots feminism. The conversation also touches on the challenges of gender identity politics and emphasizes the importance of maintaining clear feminist messaging amidst political divisions. Celebrating three years of community-driven activism, their dialogue is both inspiring and essential.

Join us for this program focused on two amazing women's gatherings in the woods of Wisconsin focused on herbs and mushrooms. We interview Linda Conroy, founder of Midwest Women's Herbal and organizer for both these gatherings in nature and in intentional community. You'll also enjoy the words of Barbara Bitondo, Linda's student and an urban herbalist. Dr. Cho speaks with WLRN's Robin Long about mushrooms and her work as a pediatrician. The final interview is with keynote speaker at Mycelium Mysteries Women's Retreat, Katherine MacLean and her work with pslicybim mushrooms, meditation and consciousness. The program is rounded off with Sekhmet SheOwl's commentary about the importance of women gathering in nature and to share plant wisdom together in community. For more information about the two women's gatherings featured in this radio show, go to www.midwestwomensherbal.com. Get your tickets for Mycelium Mysteries by April 1st and you are eligible for early bird pricing. Thanks for tuning in to WLRN. Musical selections by First Aid Kit, Tegan & Sara, Thistle, and Lisa Thiel. Cover design by Natasha Petrov.

Explore the enchanting world of music celebrating underrepresented female voices. The transformative power of these tracks resonates deeply with themes of empowerment and social change. Listen to haunting melodies inspired by diverse cultures, from Ukrainian traditions to Inuit throat singing. Discover the rich stories behind songs that reflect resilience from women survivors of domestic violence. This captivating journey through sound promises to inspire and connect listeners to the ongoing fight for women's liberation and equality.

This program features our newest member, Danielle Whitaker from Atlanta who greets listeners before the world news written and delivered by Damayanti, WLRN's youngest member from India. Next you'll enjoy music by Gaelynn Lea and her song "Someday We'll Linger in the Sun" before Thistle's interview with our guest Ellana Crew, a blind lesbian from Baltimore. Then, enjoy Johnnie Mae Dunson's song "I'm a whole lotta woman" that leads into Robin Long's interview with Tara Ayers, a disability rights activist and long time producer of women's cultural events, theater and concerts. Finally, we are happy to feature another stellar commentary by our resident female-separatist, Sekhmet SheOwl. Please listen, like and share widely! We are a grassroots feminist community powered program that relies on our followers for ever wider audiences and distribution.

Song listing: Animal Dreams Sticky Red Egg Corpse Bike Lane Bella Ciao Jezebel Michigan Sister Voices This special edition of the WLRN Music Hour features our own Thistle Petterson. DJ Phoenixx's selection of songs from Thistle's discography gives you taste of the strong and sincere womon who started what is Women's Liberation Radio News. Listen as she introduces and connects with each song in her own words. The recent events of the past few years that have sought to erase Thistle's work, connection, reputation, and effectiveness as an activist have not stopped our fearless amazon. Thistle's music is heartfelt, and tells the truth - truth cannot and will not be stopped. Enjoy this hour of wimmin's music from WLRN's unstoppable leader. The featured picture is of Thistle playing in Madison with an old bass player friend in 2010.

Lee Lakeman, a dedicated activist since 1973 and a long-standing member of the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter, shares her insights on combating violence against women. She reflects on the École Polytechnique massacre's impact on feminist activism and discusses the urgent issue of violence against Indigenous women in Canada, spotlighting systemic failures. Lakeman also addresses the complexities of feminism's relationship with prostitution and trans identities, emphasizing unity and resilience as vital for ongoing women's liberation efforts.

Dive into the pressing issue of censorship facing radical feminists. The conversation emphasizes the vital need to protect these voices in the current climate of free speech threats. Listeners will learn about the proactive steps being taken, including a fundraiser aimed at enhancing media security. This discussion is a rallying cry for solidarity and empowerment in the quest for women's liberation!