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KPFA - Womens Magazine

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The Women’s Magazine is an hour long radio program that airs on KPFA radio that presents and discusses women’s lives and issues globally and locally from a radical, multiracial, feminist, mujerist, womanist perspective.

This hour-long program focuses on social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental issues pertaining to the lives of people who identify and live as women. We discuss these from multiple, radical, feminist perspectives which include all social categories such as class, race and ethnicity, religion, ability, nation, and more and as they occur at local, national, and global locations and levels.

Our audiences have chances to listen to live interviews, call-in to offer their perspectives, and listen to pre-recorded conversations with feminists around the world.

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Monday · 59 min
Black Panther Woman: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins
Today a conversation with beloved SF Bay Area neighbor, lifelong activist, movement leader, and spiritual guide Ericka Huggins. We will be discussing her as described in the recently released biography, Black Panther Woman: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins, written by Mary Frances Phillips and published by New York University press in 2025. Come listen to Ericka Huggins’s voice, thoughts, and reflections in this hour. We hope our conversation will inspire you to donate to our Fall Fundraiser. The post Black Panther Woman: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins appeared first on KPFA.
September 28 · 59 min
Black Feminisms Conversation Claudia Jones Left of Karl Marx
Today Jovelyn Richards and Margo Okazawa-Rey continue their conversation on Black feminism and their “guest” is the late Claudia Jones, described as Left of Karl Marx. The post Black Feminisms Conversation Claudia Jones Left of Karl Marx appeared first on KPFA.
September 21 · 59 min
Womens Magazine – Host of The Space Between Us, discusses and unpacks Adoption Reform with Jessie Elliot
Who is The HummingbirdLion? Jessie Elliott is an adoptee, adoptive and biological mother of four young adults, and the founder of The HummingbirdLion Adoption Hub. She is a doctoral researcher in Developmental Psychology whose work focuses on trauma, attachment, and adoption across the lifespan. Jessie blends lived experience, rigorous research, and public education to help agencies move beyond feel‑good adoption narratives toward adoptee‑centered, trauma‑competent practice. Through her unique intersection—adoptee, transracial adoptive parent, biological parent, and researcher—Jessie names needs many organizations overlook and backs them with data and lived experience. Why Adoption Reform Now Adoptees experience elevated rates of mental health challenges and suicidality compared to non‑adopted peers. Systems still minimize pre‑placement trauma, sexual trauma, racial harm in transracial adoption, and the impact of secrecy and DNA discoveries. Agencies are being asked to move from placement‑focused metrics to lifespan‑focused, adoptee‑centered outcomes. The post Womens Magazine – Host of The Space Between Us, discusses and unpacks Adoption Reform with Jessie Elliot appeared first on KPFA.
September 14 · 59 min
“Second Nature” documentary on gender and sexuality in nature
Today on at 1-2pm on KPFA Radio’s “Women’s Magazine” I spend most of the hour talking about a new must see documentary “Second Nature” about the proliferation of homosexuality and/or gender changing/bending in all species in nature. For centuries the Church, science and now Republican lawmakers have invoked biological essentialism to justify pathologizing and attacking Queers and Transgenders. This attack is especially obvious now when transgender health care, school participation, bathroom access, and public visibility is being made illegal. Conservative activists routinely describe trans identity and homosexuality as a rejection of science itself. And homophobes often assert that heterosexuality and male dominance is part of natural law following centuries of darwinian bias and argue that homosexuality is an aberration in all of nature. Today I talk to Drew Denny, the director of the new documentary “Second Nature” which debunks this century’s old science based propaganda. And I also talk two scientists from the film about the science; the ground breaking evolutionary biologist Dr Joan Roughgarden, the author of the seminal science changing book “Evolution’s Rainbow: Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People” and renowned feminist darwinian primatologist Dr Amy Parish about the fallacy of this heterosexist science. This excellent and thoroughly convincing documentary is showing on September 17, at 7:00 PM as the opening night film of Critter Fest showing at the 4-Star Theater in San Francisco. You can find more info on their website secondnaturedoc.com And I want people to check out another important political documentary “Democracy Noir:A New Dawn” which is showing September 16th at 7:15 a the grand lake theater. “Democracy Noir: A New Dawn” is an informative account of how Viktor Orbán installed authoritarian rule in Hungary and of his stunning defeat by the unification of the people across parties. You can get more info about this film at clarity films.org. And I want to note the death of Gloria Steinem and Robin Morgan, two important feminists from the 70’s. Their passing and the continual loss of older feminist sadly marks the end of an era. I want to note that Steinem was lauded in the NY times obituary and my many feminist everywhere but was also attacked online for being a CIA spy and Neo liberal feminist. Steinem may not have been a radical anti imperialist feminist but she did work to create bonds and support with many African American feminists including bell hooks and Angela Davis among others. Like the Hungarians I hope we can realize we are in a state of emergency that may require we work together with those who may not be exact duplicates of ourselves. So rather than go into the both sides of that debate I am just gonna play a few short clips from Steinem. The post “Second Nature” documentary on gender and sexuality in nature appeared first on KPFA.
September 7 · 59 min
Womens Magazine – September 7, 2026
This hour long radio program presents and discusses women’s lives and issues globally and locally from a radical, multiracial, feminist, mujerist, womanist perspective. The post Womens Magazine – September 7, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
August 31 · 59 min
What Black Feminisms for This Political Moment? Part 2
Women’s Magazine Collective members Jovelyn Richards and Margo Okazawa-Rey host today’s live, call-in show to continue the discussion from Part 1, What Black Feminisms for This Political Moment? How do we understand Black feminisms in these times? How can the various perspectives illuminate the steady marching of governments, political trends, and formations marching steadily toward the racist, misogynist, nationalist Right and fascism in the US and countries around the world? What are the limitations of those perspectives? What kinds of feminisms must we develop to ensure all life forms will thrive, not only survive? Come join our conversation. The post What Black Feminisms for This Political Moment? Part 2 appeared first on KPFA.
August 24 · 59 min
Young Palestinian Women Artists “Preserving Memory through Beauty”
To the extent that news about Palestine is even covered in the world’s mainstream media, the coverage is typically about violence and destruction, and when Palestinian people are humanized, grief and suffering. When, where, and how have you seen and heard about another side: children, youth, and young and older adults creating art together using naturally available materials? On today’s program, you will have the chance to learn from artists Haya Allabadi, Sara Hammoudeh, and Sera Maraka about the work of an art studio and their creations to archive and document the beauty of Palestine to build bridges of hope for generations to come. The post Young Palestinian Women Artists “Preserving Memory through Beauty” appeared first on KPFA.
August 17 · 59 min
Cinema as Prayer showing and James Baldwin and Audre Lorde on Suffering and Joy
ENCORE SHOW – Lisa Dettmer feature two segments both focusing on Buddhism, healing and spirituality. First I talk to Kithi Nath and Lata Mani about their two new films showing at the Elmwood Rialto cinema on Wednesday August 19th at 6:15 PM as part of a special one time program called “Cinema as Prayer: A Night of Queer South Asian Films.” This film program features “PARAMITA” by Kirthi Nath and “Longing Suite” by Lata Mani and Nicolás Grandi—two poetic films that move through longing, belonging and spiritual transformation. PARAMITA bears witness to Prajna Choudhury’s 25-year journey of coming out to her traditional Bangladeshi mother. Told with intimacy and tenderness, the film invites us into a meditative experience as Prajna connects with Buddhist practice and nature as gateways for intergenerational healing. “Longing Suite” is a lyrical exploration of awakening to the feminine Divine. Building on a cycle of poems written by Mani in the 1990s, the film traces the arc of a heart-mind-body awakening to the sacred in all that exists. Together, these intimate, spiritual films invite us to experience cinema as prayer. The screening will be followed by a conversation and Q&A with the filmmakers, moderated by Madeleine Lim, Executive and Artistic Director of QWOCMAP (Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project). And then I talk with Dr. Rima Vesely-Flad, the author of “The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde” — a book exploring the radical literary legacies of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde through a Dharmic lens. “The Fire Inside”reveals how two of America’s greatest literary voices reflect — and expand — Buddhism’s most timeless truths toward justice and liberation, showing that liberation depends not only on organizing and mass movements, but on the generative power of inner well-being, authenticity, art, and embodiment. It offers space for the kind of conversation our communities need: one that centers and celebrates Black, queer, radical thought, and doesn’t shy away from difficult truths. That’s 1-2pm on KPFA Radio at 94.1FM or online at kpfa.org where the show will be available afterwards to stream and download. The post Cinema as Prayer showing and James Baldwin and Audre Lorde on Suffering and Joy appeared first on KPFA.
August 10 · 59 min
Buddhism, Spirituality and healing from Racism, Sexism, Suffering
Today at 1pm on KPFA Radio’s Women’s Magazine I am featuring two segments both focusing on Buddhism, healing and spirituality. First I talk to Kithi Nath and Lata Mani about their two new films showing at the Elmwood Rialto cinema on Wednesday August 19th at 6:15 PM as part of a special one time program called “Cinema as Prayer: A Night of Queer South Asian Films.” This film program features “PARAMITA” by Kirthi Nath and “Longing Suite” by Lata Mani and Nicolás Grandi—two poetic films that move through longing, belonging and spiritual transformation. PARAMITA bears witness to Prajna Choudhury’s 25-year journey of coming out to her traditional Bangladeshi mother. Told with intimacy and tenderness, the film invites us into a meditative experience as Prajna connects with Buddhist practice and nature as gateways for intergenerational healing. “Longing Suite” is a lyrical exploration of awakening to the feminine Divine. Building on a cycle of poems written by Mani in the 1990s, the film traces the arc of a heart-mind-body awakening to the sacred in all that exists. Together, these intimate, spiritual films invite us to experience cinema as prayer. The screening will be followed by a conversation and Q&A with the filmmakers, moderated by Madeleine Lim, Executive and Artistic Director of QWOCMAP (Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project). And then I talk with Dr. Rima Vesely-Flad, the author of “The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde” — a book exploring the radical literary legacies of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde through a Dharmic lens. “The Fire Inside”reveals how two of America’s greatest literary voices reflect — and expand — Buddhism’s most timeless truths toward justice and liberation, showing that liberation depends not only on organizing and mass movements, but on the generative power of inner well-being, authenticity, art, and embodiment. It offers space for the kind of conversation our communities need: one that centers and celebrates Black, queer, radical thought, and doesn’t shy away from difficult truths. That’s 1-2pm on KPFA Radio at 94.1FM or online at kpfa.org where the show will be available afterwards to stream and download. The post Buddhism, Spirituality and healing from Racism, Sexism, Suffering appeared first on KPFA.
August 3 · 59 min
Palestinian Artists Building Bridges of Hope
To the extent that news about Palestine is even covered in the world’s mainstream media, the coverage is typically about violence and destruction, and when Palestinian people are humanized, grief and suffering. When, where, and how have you seen and heard about another side: children, youth, and young and older adults creating art together using naturally available materials? On today’s program, you will have the chance to learn from artists Haya Allabadi, Sara Hammoudeh, and Sera Maraka about the work of an art studio and their creations to archive and document the beauty of Palestine to build bridges of hope for generations to come. The post Palestinian Artists Building Bridges of Hope appeared first on KPFA.
July 27 · 59 min
What Black Feminisms for This Political Moment? Conversation with Jovelyn Richards Women’s Magazine Producer Live
Black feminism, theory, and practice have profoundly influenced contemporary feminist thought and practices in and outside the US. Women’s Magazine producers Margo Okazawa-Rey and Jovelyn Richards discuss their respective understandings of Black feminism and its relevance in these times of national and global “poly crises”. They will also pitch for support on this next to the last day of the KPFA Summer Fund Drive. The post What Black Feminisms for This Political Moment? Conversation with Jovelyn Richards Women’s Magazine Producer Live appeared first on KPFA.
July 20 · 59 min
Jovelyn Richards of The Space Between, chats with Iraqi American writer & Director; Weam Namou
In her groundbreaking new film, Pomegranate, Iraqi American writer and director Weam Namou reveals the messy, humorous and heartbreaking reality of what happens when immigrants who fled the same country argue with each other over the American Dream. Widely recognized as the first Iraqi American feature film, Pomegranate has swept over 50 international film awards and caught the eye of Home Alone producer Scott Rosenfelt, who came on board as executive producer. The post Jovelyn Richards of The Space Between, chats with Iraqi American writer & Director; Weam Namou appeared first on KPFA.
July 13 · 59 min
Lisa Dettmer talks to Stop AI members/ and to 3 directors of films at SF Jewish Film Festival
This Monday on KPFA’s Women’s Magazine Lisa Dettmer will talk to Wynd Kaufman and Valerie Sizemore from the local grassroots group Stop AI about the existential threat that AI poses to our existence. Stop AI is a very committed group of local activists who are willing to put their bodies on the line as they seek a world that values humanity over machines and community care over profit. They work to raise public awareness, influence decision-makers and legislation, and engaging in non-violent direct action which 5 members of their group did recently right here in SF, the capital of AI. One of our guests Wynd Kaufman was part of the group of Stop AI members who blockaded the doors of OpenAI, a leading company in the global race to develop “Artificial General Intelligence” (AGI) and “Artificial Superintelligence” (ASI), AI that would match or exceed human capabilities across the board. Wynd Kaufman a former professor at City College was recently convicted by the SF prosecutors of trespassing, interfering with a business, unlawful assembly, and refusal to disperse for her acts of Civil Disobedience. This case marks the first time a court got to hear some of the copious evidence that AI companies are gambling with our lives. You can find out more about StopAI at https://www.stopai.info/ Next, we talk to 3 women directors who are showing their documentaries at the Sf Jewish Film Festival, Leah Galant, Vivian Kleinman and Sai Gilman Director Leah Galant’s Landscapes of Memory delves into the thorny issues of who Holocaust memorials are made for and the proliferation and mystification of memorial culture in Germany. Galant’s documentary is a profound meditation on the uses and abuses of memorial culture and the intersection of national trauma and collective memory Berkeley resident Vivian Kleiman will talk to us about her short film, A Grain of Truth, which journeys into wartime Denmark to uncover a cherished national myth—the Legend of the Yellow Star—through the lens of collective memory. And Sari Gilman will be screening her Work-in-Progress short film, American Jew. About her father and how his sense of belonging to Judaism has eroded because of Israel. You can get more information about the festival at https://jfi.org/sfjff-2026 The post Lisa Dettmer talks to Stop AI members/ and to 3 directors of films at SF Jewish Film Festival appeared first on KPFA.
July 6 · 59 min
“Every Breath: The Cosmic Purpose” Conversation with Alexis Pauline Gumbs
My guest today is Dr Alexis Pauline Gumbs, aka Docta Sista, who describes herself as Queer Black Troublemaker and Black Feminist Love Evangelist and an aspirational cousin to all sentient beings. An independent scholar/author writer, she is a prolific writer of books, poems, essays, and more. Alexis and their beloved Sangodare also create and facilitate regularly scheduled spaces for education, emotional and spiritual renewal and transformation. She has received numerous awards such as the prestigious Whiting Award for non-fiction Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals in 2022 and ZORA (formerly the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award) in Non-fiction and the Judy Grahn prize in Lesbian Non-fiction for the 2024 Survival Is a Promise, The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde. Alexis will also discuss her latest publication “Primary-After and With Alma Thomas.” The post “Every Breath: The Cosmic Purpose” Conversation with Alexis Pauline Gumbs appeared first on KPFA.
June 29 · 59 min
Women, Girls, and the War in Sudan with Dr. Suad Musa
Today’s conversation is about war, politics, and the experiences of women, girls, and communities in war-torn Sudan with Dr Suad Musa. She is a freelance researcher and consultant on women, gender, peace, and governance issues. She has worked with the Government of Sudan and has extensive experience working with international NGOs, such as Oxfam and civil society organizations in Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and Britain. Dr. Musa is a co-founder of Gender Centre for Peacebuilding and Sustainable Development in El Fasher, Darfur, Sudan The post Women, Girls, and the War in Sudan with Dr. Suad Musa appeared first on KPFA.
June 22 · 59 min
Palestine 1492 A Report Back
My guest today is Linda Quiquivix (ki-ki-vish) a California-based geographer of Maya roots and author and illustrator of Palestine 1492: A Report Back, a political memoir and geography lesson, that places 500 years of struggles side by side with Palestine, from below and toward the common. As Quiquivix write, the book is “a report back of what I see from 500 years of struggle in words, maps, and images in the 7 cardinal directions and in the spiral that is time. Throughout, I share conclusions of what Palestinians, Zapatistas, Panthers, and Jaguars have taught me along this journey….” I devoured the book in a few sittings. As you listen to QuiQui talk about her book and more, you will get why. This program was first broadcast on Women’s Magazine 25 November 2025 The post Palestine 1492 A Report Back appeared first on KPFA.
June 15 · 59 min
Jovelyn delves into Conversation with Professor Elizabeth Pryor’s Book: Something We Said.
When a white student quoted a line from Blazing Saddles, blurting out the N-word in the middle of class, Professor Elizabeth Pryor froze. In that moment, she was shockingly confronted with not only the most notorious slur in the United States, but the line quoted by the student was one her father – the iconic comedian Richard Pryor – had written. After the incident, Elizabeth dove into research to better understand the history of the word, and discussed it with her students and in her Ted Talk, “Why it’s so hard to talk about the N-word”, which has been viewed over 2 million times. During her research, Elizabeth’s own memories of the N-word rose to the surface, and she found that a reckoning with this word meant a reckoning with memories of her father, Richard Pryor, who skyrocketed to fame in the 1970’s, making the N-word a hallmark of his act. Elizabeth Pryor now teaches a class titled “Richard Pryor’s America,” and her videos about the class have become hugely popular on her Instagram, @pryorhistories The post Jovelyn delves into Conversation with Professor Elizabeth Pryor’s Book: Something We Said. appeared first on KPFA.
June 8 · 59 min
SF Frameline, QWOCMAP and remembering Jill Lessing
Today for KPFA Radio’s Women’s Magazine, WM host Lisa Dettmer celebrates Pride month by talking about some of the films I recommend that are showing at the the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, hosted by Frameline. Frameline was founded in 1977 and is the longest-running, largest, and most widely recognized queer film exhibition in the world so this year marks 50 years of Frameline films. The films run from June 17th thru June 27th and are shown in both SF and the East Bay. We talk to Allegra Madsen, the director of SF Frameline. And then Lisa Dettmer talks to Cheri Gaulke about her new documentary “Acting Like Women” which looks at the Art, activism, and female-powered performance burst onto the scene in 1970s Los Angeles, forming a tight-knit and transformative creative community. Centered around the early days of the Woman’s Building, these artists explored the body, gender, and identity — challenging the entrenched sexism of the art world while forging groundbreaking new modes of expression that would influence generations to come. We also talk to Sasha Water, director of the new documentary Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World which weaves Oliver’s own words through rare archival materials and candid reflections from those who knew and admired her, including John Waters, Stephen Colbert, and Oprah Winfrey. From her formative years marked by hardship to her quiet life in Provincetown with her longtime partner, the film traces the journey of a poet who found salvation in attention — to nature, to language, and to love. Tender, contemplative, and deeply human, this documentary invites us not only to understand Mary Oliver’s life, but to reflect on our own. Then we talk to two of the women behind the Queer Women of Color Film Festival, managing director Kebo Drew and founding Executive/Artistic Director of QWOCMAP, Madeleine Lim. The QWOCFF features 49 films across seven curated screenings at San Francisco’s historic Presidio Theatre. It includes Filmmaker Q&As and community celebrations among other events. Every screening is fully accessible with open captions, audio description, and ASL interpretation. For 22 years, QWOCFF has been where LBTQIA+ BIPOC filmmakers bring their work showing films from across continents and generations. The in person festival is June 12-14 at the Presidio Theatre, 99 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco. And lastly Judith Masur will remember lesbian feminist disability justice activist Jill Lessing who died last month at 83. The post SF Frameline, QWOCMAP and remembering Jill Lessing appeared first on KPFA.
May 25 · 59 min
Black German Women Singing for Life, Love, and Liberation!
Listen to Oihane Roach and King Josephine share their stories of life as mixed-race Black German feminists and as musicians early in their careers seeking to contribute their music and sensibilities toward the liberation of all. You will also get the chance to listen to their evocative and lovely music and hear them harmonize impromptu on this program. You will love them! This program was produced for KPFA International Women’s Day 2026 Programming and originally broadcast in March 2026 King Josephine is an independent, autodidact (self-taught) composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter originally from Amsterdam, and based in Berlin since 2009. Her music seamlessly blends genres like Pop, Soul, Blues, and R&B. Oihane Roach is a Berlin-based singer-songwriter crafting pop-soul and indie folk with a warm voice and poetic lyrics that explore themes of transgenerational healing.She is Known for her dynamic use of loop machine in live performances. The post Black German Women Singing for Life, Love, and Liberation! appeared first on KPFA.
May 18 · 59 min
Womens Magazine – May 18, 2026
This hour long radio program presents and discusses women’s lives and issues globally and locally from a radical, multiracial, feminist, mujerist, womanist perspective. The post Womens Magazine – May 18, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

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