Gloria Feldt Speaking Up on Women & Politics - GloriaFeldt.com

Melissa Silverstein posted this review on her Women and Hollywood Blog. Take a look. At last someone paid attention to Kathleen's thoughts about women and images of women in film.

VISIT AND POST AT THE SEND YOURSELF ROSES U-BLOG

Some places I've made presentations on leadership:

National Association of Broadcasters
Citibank
Harvard Business School
International Leadership Forum
Carole Hyatt Leadership Forum
Planned Parenthood Leadership Institute

MY FAVORITE LEADERSHIP LINKS and RESOURCES

Women's Leadership Exchange

VISIT AND JOIN IN AT SEND YOURSELF ROSES U-BLOG

See it and More of My Books Here

View sample media and speech clips.

Some places I've made presentations:

Universities:
Brown
Harvard
Bradley
Barnard
Hamilton
U Penn
Penn State
Columbia
Smith
University of Texas Austin
University of North Texas
U Mass Amherst
University of Alabama
General Audiences:
National Press Club
Chautauqua Institution
Aspen Institute
The Culture Project
Democratic National Convention
92nd St Y
Women's Groups:
National Council of Jewish Women
Planned Parenthood
Hadassah
New York Women's Forum
Jewish Federation Women's Divisions
National Women's Political Caucus
Women Lawyers of Los Angeles
Professional and Leadership Groups:
International Leadership Forum
National Association of Broadcasters
Citibank
WAM! (Women, Action, Media)
Women in Communications
Progressive Women's Voices
Glamour Magazine College Women of the Year

More Endorsements:

Author and Career Coach Gail Blanke interviews me at "Cocktails and Conversation". "Gloria: Thank you for sharing your candid, honest, and wonderful personal stories with our membership. Wow! Quite a few people have pulled us aside to say, "This evening has changed my life!" -- Leslie Hunt, VP of Career Development, New York Women in Communications

Signing Send Yourself Roses and The War on Choice after speech at Eastern Michigan University

Eve Ensler and Gloria at Riverspace, NY

"Gloria, just to say how wonderful you were tonight. how moved i was by how much you prepared, how
deeply you thought about everything, how supportive you were, how smart, how much you have done for women, how much you continue to do." --Eve Ensler, founder of V-Day

"Gloria’s passionate and inspiring speech told her very personal story of her life story that lead her to be an advocate for Women’s Reproductive Rights. The women at the banquet were spellbound with her story. Gloria’s speech encouraged many of us to continue speaking up for civil rights and the importance of being an advocate for these rights." --Dana Waxler, convention chair Hadassah

"Why I’d want Gloria Feldt to speak to my clients: First, like all superb leaders she recognizes the power of setting audacious goals. Second, like the truly exceptional leader she is she marshals those around her with a commanding vision in sync with the stated goal. This is the decisive 1-2 punch that takes the “good” to the level of great. And she articulates all of this with tremendous alacrity and inspiration.”
--Watts Wacker, President, First Matter; author, The Visionary’s Handbook

"MBA students ask tough questions and challenge a leader's assumptions. Gloria was a most welcome guest in my class as she consistently energized the students with her clear and realistic sense of what it takes to successfully lead a complex organization." --Allen Grossman, Professor, Harvard Business School

The First Amendment caucus was just terrific!! As you could see, we had an enthusiastic and eager group of delegates who were most impressed with your presentations. Your remarks were most compelling, empowering everyone with a broader understanding of the complex issues.
--Carole Curtis, National Director, Community Education and Outreach Department, Hadassah

Your talk was extremely well-received by the students and the faculty all found it very informative - it was pitched at just the right level! I have also heard excellent feedback from the seminar session.
Lisa Chasan-Taber Sc.D., Associate Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, U Mass Amherst

See Send Yourself Roses and Other Books I've Authored or Coauthored Here

The New York Times
October 15, 2006 Op-Ed Contributor Margaret Sanger’s Obscenity By GLORIA FELDT

WHEN you tour the Lower East Side Tenement Museum’s restoration at 97 Orchard Street, you walk through the experience of the immigrants who arrived in waves at the turn of the 20th century, often to live five or six to a tiny room. According to the 1900 census, the 18 wives in the Orchard Street building had given birth to 111 children altogether, of whom 67 were then alive.

A 40 percent infant and child mortality rate sounds shocking now. Back then it was the norm. Maternal mortality was 99 percent higher than it is today; 40 percent of those deaths were caused by infection, of which half resulted from illegal or self-induced abortion. Birth control was to revolutionize women’s health. But it would take a social revolution to get there.

For the rest of the article, please read the PDF or read it on NYTimes.com.

Elle Magazine used my title "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" for a spread of essays that won a prestigious Front Page Award from the Newswomen's Club of New York.

Here's the lead-in to my Q&A with Elle.com:

ELLE.COM EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: YOU DON'T CHOOSE—YOU LOSE
Many of our readers wondered, after seeing our piece on the recent Supreme Court decision known as Gonzales v Carhart ("The Incredible Shrinking Woman,")—which upheld a federal law allowing Congress and state legislatures to criminalize a form of abortion without regard for the woman's health—what the ruling could mean for the future of abortion rights. We asked Gloria Feldt, author of The War on Choice and the former president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, to lay out a couple of scenarios...

ELLE: What might the reproductive landscape look like in a decade?
Gloria Feldt: That depends on who's president, who's in control of Congress, who's on the Supreme Court, and who's in charge of state legislatures and sitting in the governor's seat. Because the Bush administration will have had eight years to fill the federal courts with antichoice judges, it's unlikely that the courts will protect what is left of Roe. This makes the electoral process more important than ever. What happens from here depends on each of us as citizens and voters.

See the whole Q&A at Elle.com.

VISIT AND POST AT SEND YOURSELF ROSES U-BLOG

See Roses and More of My Books Here

MY FAVORITE MEDIA BLOGS and RESOURCES

Women's Media Center Daily News Brief--check it out for a quick overview of news stories of particular interest to women

MEDIA ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM
FAIR

Global Media Monitoring Project

Women's Voices Online

FAVORITE NEWS SOURCES
Alternet

EXPERT RESOURCES
Girl With Pen

Media Bistro

SheSource

Women’s Media Center

VISIT AND JOIN IN AT SEND YOURSELF ROSES U-BLOG

See Gloria's Books

Leadership Forum

"Your presentation was intelligent, engaging, and insightful, and the newest members of the Carole Hyatt Leadership Forum were so impressed with your talk. Your candid approach to storytelling and your wonderful speaking voice had them enthralled."--Carole Hyatt, Carole Hyatt Leadership Forum

"Gloria is not only a great leader; she is a profoundly good person. She does not know the meaning of defeat. Her relentless optimism is tempered with originality—with her willingness to nurture innovative thinking, to advance a bold and audacious vision. A leader, a fighter, an advocate" -- Mark Salo, former CEO, Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties

"The world produces few leaders that combine high-level executive experience, long-term vision and a global perspective with the earthy, humane sensitivities... Gloria Feldt is such a leader, equally effective in the board room, clinic, press conference or at the speaker's rostrum. And she is an energized, witty, charismatic leader." --Richard Farson, President, Western Behavioral Sciences Institute; Author, Management of the Absurd: Paradoxes in Leadership

"Today has been a truly remarkable and memorable day. It was wonderful to spend time getting to know Gloria, for she is a very smart, inspiring, and hopeful woman. I can honestly say that she gave one of the best speeches I have heard while at Hamilton." --Lauren Leatherman, president, Hamilton College VOX chapter

"I admire the way you interact with every person who has a question or comment for you, treating them with warmth and respect. You field questions and engage in dialogue with poise, wisdom, and humor."
---Nadine Strossen, Professor of Law, Columbia University

"Thank you for your inspiring presentation. This was not a speech, it was a conversation, a story-telling, a wake-up call and an inspiration." --Joan Gerberding, President, Local Focus; Founding member, Most Influential Women in Radio

"Nobody says it like Gloria Feldt."--Anna Clark, Blogger at Isak

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Why “Speaking up”? Because I believe passionately in the power of your voice and mine to make a difference in our world—and in our own lives.

Check out pages and blogs on GloriaFeldt.com: leadership, politics, reproductive and public health, media and women's lives.
Need a dynamic and inspirational speaker on one of these topics? See my speaking availability. Media inquiries, go to pressroom or just click contact.
Come here often for useful information and provocative opinions. Post your thoughts on the Heartfeldt Politics Blog, and use the Political Action Tools.

Have You Read Our New York Times Bestseller?

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See Kathleen on the Today Show with Matt Lauer
Read an excerpt
Read the Review of Send Yourelf Roses by Women's Issues Editor Linda Lowen on about.com.
Go to the Send Yourself Roses U-Blog for more. And tell me, how do you Send Yourself Roses?

Speaking Up About Leadership: I learned about it on the job, like most people. And if it were easy, they would have sent less able people to do it, right? Here, we'll look at leaders, leadership challenges and leadership ideas. To book a motivational speech on leadership or Sister Courage, Contact me here.

WHAT SOME HAVE SAID:
"Why I’d want Gloria Feldt to speak to my clients: First, like all superb leaders she recognizes the power of setting audacious goals. Second, like the truly exceptional leader she is she marshals those around her with a commanding vision in sync with the stated goal. This is the decisive 1-2 punch that takes the “good” to the level of great. And she articulates all of this with tremendous alacrity and inspiration.”
--Watts Wacker, President, First Matter; author, The Visionary’s Handbook
"MBA students ask tough questions and challenge a leader's assumptions. Gloria was a most welcome guest in my class as she consistently energized the students with her clear and realistic sense of what it takes to successfully lead a complex organization." --Allen Grossman, Professor, Harvard Business School
“In all the best sense, she has embodied many of Margaret Sanger’s qualities. Gloria is a great visionary. But at the same time, she is very focused on understanding the increments in which you have to realize a vision.”
--Ellen Chesler, author of Woman of Valor: Margaret Sanger and the American Birth Control Movement

“Gloria is a practical visionary—and they don’t come along very often. She has led us forward while always having our backs. She made me feel protected. She gives voice to all the women who need voice. And she is a pit bull fundraiser.”--Jane Fonda

“As a man, I have benefited from Gloria’s leadership. She epitomizes leadership, being right there, up front.”
--Anthony Romero, Executive Director, ACLU

Planned Parenthood’s 25-year Plan, Fast Company Magazine interview on how Gloria led a movement to create a bold new long term vision for the future.

How do you lead deep-seated change in a large organization where just about everyone expects to have a voice? Here are a few rules that Gloria Feldt used to pull it off at Planned Parenthood.
Create urgency. PPFA's affiliates had to understand that this was a crucial moment, "that we really could change the direction of the organization's future," says consultant Watts Wacker. The solution: an invitation-only summit with big-name speakers.
Include everyone. Feldt's committee pushed itself to get input from every corner of the organization. That meant hundreds of meetings with affiliates, whose input was distilled at regional sessions. Many affiliates also involved their clients and community groups.
Adapt the process to the culture. A by-the-book style never would have flown at PPFA. So the organization designed a standard innovation process, but it let local groups veer off course, as desired.
Make it transparent. At every turn, the PPFA committee published and shared the results of its work. The idea was that including people in the process would win support -- and would also sharpen the final product.
Lead, but don't control. Feldt, says Wacker, "saw that you can't 'increment' yourself into the future. She got her board to listen, then put people in place who responded." But she respected the culture of her organization; she recognized that change needed to be driven from deep in the ranks as well.

Read the rest:

Downloadable PDF

Fast Company Magazine Profile

Thanks for coming to the Heartfeldt Politics Blog.

Why "Heartfeldt"? Politics is always ultimately personal. The tagline “Heartfeldt” for this blog has a very personal meaning for me. Scroll to the bottom of this page to see why..and post your comments along the way.

Heartfeldt in WashingtonVisit my blog on Huffington Post too.

To inquire about my speaking for your organization about The Incredible Shrinking Woman, Heartfeldt Politics, or other advocacy topics, just e-mail me.

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"So what are we going to do about it?” is the question I always ask in these books, my columns, speeches, and blog posts. I like to rant and rave as much as anyone, but in the end, I’m not into complaining about what’s wrong—I say let’s go make it right.
Posts here often have a "So what are you going to do about it?" feature. And check out the "Political Action Tools" page for practical resources you can use to "do something about it".

Time to Fight Forward!
Dr. Riane Eisler interviews me on Women's Radio.
Gloria Feldt, former leader of the National Planned Parenthood Federation of America and recognized expert and activist on women's rights, discusses leadership, the pro-choice/pro-life debate and the upcoming presidential election. Listen here.

Listen to Melissa Harris-Lacewell and me debate "Gender, Race, and the Presidential Elections" on WHYY public radio's Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane.

Are you looking for a keynote speech or panel that will inspire, inform, and engage? My expertise is deep and I speak from the heart. Here's how to book me. Please tell me your group's name, kind of meeting, date and time, location, and topic(s) you are interested in. Include your e-mail and phone number. I look forward to hearing from you!. My Topics:

Leadership: Motivation and Inspiration
*Take the Lead, Lady! Practical Leadership Skills
*Sister Courage: How Movement Building Principles Can Make Your Workplace Better
Public and Reproductive Health
*Sexual and Reproductive Justice: A Public Health Imperative
*Call Yourself Free: The Reproductive Justice Movement Past, Present, and Future
Women's Lives
*New! Send Yourself Roses: Writing with Kathleen and Finding My "Next"
*WomenGirlsLadies: A Fresh Intergenerational Conversation (with Deborah Siegel, Courtney Martin, and Krystal Brent Zook).
Media
*False Balance: How Journalism’s Ethos Distorts the Truth
Heartfeldt Politics/Advocacy
*Wear the Shirt: Practical Advocacy So You Can Make a Difference
*How to Win the War on Choice
*The Incredible Shrinking Woman: Reversing the Bush Courts on Women's Rights
My Story
*There was No Temple in Temple: Growing up Jewish in Small-Town Texas and What It Taught Me About Tikkun Olam
*The Voice of Experience: Teen Mom to Leader of Planned Parenthood
"Gloria has lived the most incredible life story.”
—Cindi Leive, Editor-in-chief, Glamour Magazine
I customize my speech to your needs. Contact me to discuss booking a speech.
View sample media and speech clips.

WomenGirlsLadies Speaking Events Schedule
Join us and tell your friends!

Women’s Studies Statewide Conference, Friday, March 14, 7:30 pm, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Central Michigan University, Monday, March 17, 7:30 pm, Mount Pleasant, MI. Read the student newspaper report.

Eastern Michigan University, Tuesday, March 18, 7:00 pm, Ypsilanti, MI

Harvard University, Friday, April 18, 4 pm, Cambridge, MA 617-495-1000

National Council for Research on Women (NCRW), September date tbd, New York, NY 212-785-7335

George Washington University, Thursday, Sept. 25 evening, details tbd

Association for Women in Communications Annual Conference "Bold, Daring, and Creative", Friday, Sept. 26, noon, Doubletree Crystal City VA

University of Missouri-Kansas City, Thursday, November 13, Time TBD, Kansas City, MO 816-235-1000

Great presentation yesterday at our general meeting (National Council of Jewish Women-Bergen County Section). You did such a wonderful job of presenting the situation to our members- they were so quiet- really listening- and believe me they can be a very tough audience. Your presentation was organized, thoughtful, heartfelt, intelligent and "on the money". --Marilyn Sirulnick- chairperson of the day

Here on the Women's Lives Page, we'll talk about the past, present, and future of women in the culture. We'll look at feminism--no, I do not shy away from the f-word. We'll discuss the intersection between politics and our personal lives, and those defining moments in life that make us what we become. And we'll dare to act. And don't just check out the Heartfeldt Politics Blog for a rousing conversation about women and voting power, share your thoughts by commenting.

To book a customized keynote speech on women's lives, reproductive health and justice, leadership, "Send Yourself Roses", or effective advocacy, or to book a WomenGirlsLadies panel presentation, please contact me.

100th Anniversary of Mothers Day and the 48th Anniversary of the Pill are both May 11!! How appropriate is that? Thanks to Elizabeth Gregory, who has written a book called Ready about the benefits of later parenthood and blogs about it at www.readymoms.com, for sending me her blogpost on Huffington Post, entitled "Mothers Day Born Yesterday: A Quick Century of Big Change", and for pointing out this interesting and entirely apropriate juxtaposition.
WomenGirlsLadies Speaking Events Schedule
Join us and tell your friends! To book, please contact us.

Gloria and Courtney exchange views about women and politics at Central Michigan University"Gloria: Thank you for sharing your candid, honest, and wonderful personal stories with our membership. Wow! Quite a few people have pulled us aside to say, "This evening has changed my life!" -- Leslie Hunt, VP of Career Development, New York Women in Communications

Author and career coach Gail Blanke interviews me about my life's defining moments:"Real Talk. Real Solutions. Every Step of Your Career."

Bite Your Tongue When Talking With Adult Children?

Check out this post on the Heartfeldt Politics Blog about Brandeis Professor Ruth Nemzoff's new book, Bite Your Tongue.

About this Health Page: Access to health care is like the weather-everybody talks about it but nobody does anything about it. Well, what could be a better moment than now, when candidates for president are duking it out over what their policies on health care will be?

On this health page, you'll find examples of what people are doing to turn what affects them personally about health care or the lack of it into political action, and how you can learn more or get involved. Some of these commentaries are cross posted on Heartfeldt Politics Blog where you can comment. And if you ask "what can I do about it?" you can find source information about laws and voting, tips for successful advocacy, and other resources to help you Speak Up on the Political Action Tools page.

To book a keynote speech on "SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE: A PUBLIC HEALTH IMPERATIVE", "Calling Yourself Free", or other public or reproductive health topic, contact me here.

Here are two books that are tremendous resources for different aspects of reproductive health. I had the privilege of contributing to both of them so I'm not unbiased, but I think you'll find each of them useful.

Abortion under Attack: Women and the Challenges Facing Choice, edited by Krista Jacob and published by Seal Press, is another terrific book with first person stories.

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Remember when you first saw Our Bodies, Ourselves? For me, it was in the women's center at the University of New Mexico in the early 1970's when I was visiting my sister and her friend there. It was a life-changing experience. OBOS Menopause is a sequel, for which I had the honor of co-writing a chapter.

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When did you send YOURSELF roses literally or metaphorically? This is your blog, so post away--scroll to the bottom of the page and create a new post or reply to someone else's!

Read an excerpt here

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New York Times Bestseller!!
"A real page turner... a nice little read."--Cindy Adams.
Watch Kathleen on the Today Show talking about Send Yourself Roses. Matt Lauer drooled, "Love that voice."
Read more of the interview and see a clip here.

Michael Douglas, Kathleen, and Danny DeVito: "We were like the three musketeers". Check out other photos from her major films and TV roles here.

Sharing a laugh--we had many while writing this book!
SEE WHERE WE'VE BEEN! KATHLEEN TURNER and GLORIA FELDT'S READING/SIGNINGS HISTORY
Kathleen Turner's Filmography
Monster House (2006) Constance
Without Love (2004)
Prince of Central Park (2000) Rebecca Cairn
Beautiful (2000) Verna Chickle
National Geographic Kids: Creepy Creatures (2000) (V) (voice) Clawdette the Black Cat
Cinderella (2000/I) (TV) Claudette
Love and Action in Chicago (1999) (V) Middleman
The Virgin Suicides (1999) Mrs. Lisbon
Baby Geniuses (1999) Elena Kinder
"Stories from My Childhood" (1998) TV Series (voice) The Snow Queen
Legalese (1998) (TV) Brenda Whitlass
Bad Baby (1997) (voice) Mom
The Real Blonde (1997) Dee Dee Taylor
A Simple Wish (1997) Claudia
The Best of Roger Rabbit (1996) Jessica Rabbit
Moonlight and Valentino (1995) Alberta Trager
Friends at Last (1995) (TV) Fanny Connelyn
Leslie's Folly (1994) (TV)
Serial Mom (1994) Beverly Sutphin
Naked in New York (1993) Dana Coles
Undercover Blues (1993) Jane Blue
House of Cards (1993) Ruth Matthews
Trail Mix-Up (1993) (voice) Jessica Rabbit
V.I. Warshawski (1991) Victoria 'V.I.' Warshawski
Roller Coaster Rabbit (1990) Jessica Rabbit
The War of the Roses (1989) Barbara Rose
Tummy Trouble (1989) (voice) Jessica Rabbit
The Accidental Tourist (1988) Sarah Leary
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) (voice) Jessica Rabbit
Switching Channels (1988) Christy Colleran
Giulia e Giulia (1987) Julia
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) Peggy Sue
GoBots: War of the Rock Lords (1986) (voice)
The Jewel of the Nile (1985) Joan Wilder
Prizzi's Honor (1985) Irene Walker
A Breed Apart (1984) Stella Clayton
Crimes of Passion (1984) Joanna Crane/China Blue
Romancing the Stone (1984) Joan Wilder
The Man with Two Brains (1983) Dolores Benedict
Body Heat (1981) Matty Walker
"The Doctors" (1963) TV Series Nola Dancy Aldrich (1978-1979)

My Media Commentary Topics and Clips for Television, Web, Radio, Newspaper and Magazine Features and Profiles, Q & A's, Op-Eds.

For commentary on breaking political news, women in politics and media, reproductive and public health policy and politics, women's lives, feminism, and leadership issues: Contact me to book or query. Please tell me venue and purpose, and your contact e-mail and phone, and I'll get right back to you.

Check out Speaking Availability Page and About Page for more about my expertise and experience.

New York Times Bestseller
Read an excerpt

Buy at Amazon
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Buy at Booksense

Buy at Amazon

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Buy at Booksense

Media is the essence of speaking up. Because American culture is so media saturated, everything we do or think is filtered through a media lens. With today's technology in our flat world, we're all newsmakers, media creators, and media consumers. We'll talk about all those things on this page and more.

To book a customized speech about media, please Email Gloria.

“False Balance" WAM! Women Action Media Conference
Moderator: Carol Jenkins
Speakerss: Rita Henley-Jensen, Gloria Feldt
Topic: “The Balance Myth: How Journalism’s Ethos Distorts the Truth”
Excerpt of Gloria’s Comments:
Fair. Balanced. What are the requirements of fairness in reporting and issue where there is more than one point of view? Are fair and balanced one and the same? What then is balance? ...I’ve identified at least five kinds of false balance...
False Balance #2: Requiring sensational false balance before being willing to report an important story
I know you might call it waiting for a hook, but really when you look at the proportion, it’s a no-brainer that the contraceptive equity story I’m about to tell you about was a story long before it was reported.
We did research about 10 years ago and found that only about a third of indemnity plans cover contraceptives, even though they cover other prescription drugs. Contraception is basic healthcare, it’s used by 95% of women at some point in time. So this lack of coverage affected 10’s of millions of women. Legislation was created to require insurance plans to cover contraception if they covered other prescription drugs. In addition, we filed and won lawsuits that found failure to cover contraception is gender-discrimination.
Still, it didn’t become a story for at least two years. Until Viagra came along....Read it all here:
"False Balance." Download the PDF A speech from panel discussion at Women, Action and Media Conference.

New event! Kathleen will read and discuss Send Yourself Roses at the K-Street Borders! June 6, Noon, 1801 K Street NW, Washington, DC, Phone:202.466.4999

See what I found at the Teleflora website! Looks like they've thought about what a perfect gift Send Yourself Roses would be for your mom or any other woman in your life--and of course for yourself!

Every time we do a signing, Kathleen gets at least one propsal.

"Turner's vision of life's many possibilities--even as she gets older--is surely inspiring"--Publisher's Weekly

"Kathleen Turner will leap out of the pages and into your life as your new best friend. Because she is as honest as she is adventurous -- and because she's talking to her own great friend, writer Gloria Feldt -- her story is full of an intimate energy so infectious that it becomes universal. Go ahead: Give yourself this rose of a book." -- Gloria Steinem

New! Read the Review of Send Yourelf Roses by Women's Issues Editor Linda Lowen on about.com, suggesting it as Mothers Day Gift and noting:

You can just tell from the roles she's chosen throughout her career that actress Kathleen Turner isn't in it for the glamour. For her, it's about the work. Yet as her memoir Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles reveals, that kind of work ethic has gotten her into trouble.
A Woman of Substance
As a newlywed, Turner's husband grew angry at her when she played a prostitute in the film Crimes of Passion. A movie studio sued her for $25 million over the sequel to Romancing the Stone; Turner felt the script was inferior and refused to do 'bad work.' And she made a sworn enemy of Burt Reynolds when, during the filming of the only movie Turner ever did strictly for the money, he told her, "I've never taken second billing to a woman."
If the word 'feisty' comes to mind, well, those were the least of Turner's exploits. Send Yourself Roses, coauthored by Turner and writer Gloria Feldt, tells the story of a woman whose life is enviable not because of her fame but because of her determination and integrity.

From My E-News

More Than Two Sides?
I have never agreed with the adage that there are two sides to every story. Often there are more than two. In fact, reducing debates to two polarized sides can render the debate intractable. Even so, or maybe because of this, I urge you to read the new book by attorney Malcolm Friedberg, to which I contributed an essay. The book is entitled Why We'll Win. Well, actually, it's two books and taken together they are ideal for book clubs and civics classes that want to understand our most intensely debated social issues.

Both versions start by laying out the current legal status of the issues in highly accessible and comprehensible language. The blue version is subtitled The Left's Leading Voices Argue the Case for America's Toughest Issues. The red version, surprise, has the same subtitle but substitutes "Right" for "Left". The book website tells more and even lets you download your opponent's argument for free: www.whywellwin.com

I created GloriaFeldt.com because I believe passionately in the power of your voice and mine to make a real difference in our world—and in our own lives. I believe passionately in Speaking Up!

If you do too, I hope you'll find information you can use on these pages, and I invite you to Speak Up with me on my blogs--Heartfeldt Politics and Send Yourself Roses U-Blog.

Contact me here...

If you'd like me to Speak Up with a customized keynote speech that will inspire and energize your organization
...or to book me for media commentary

Speaking to Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
View a brief video of my media and speech clips here.

To book a customized speaking engagement, media appearance or media commentary, please contact me directly.

Welcome to the Political Action Tools Page
On this Political Action Tools page, you'll find links to information to help you take action. For example, Thomas ("in the spirit of Thomas Jefferson")has websites for members of Congress so you can find how to contact them, the status of all bills, and much more. Every member has constituent service staff as well, and their job is to assist you to get what you need from government offices. Links like Media Matters are on the blogroll for excellent research and analysis of political media that I don't have time to do on my own and you probably don't either--since it doesn't matter what the facts are if they aren't reported accurately and fairly.

Come back to this page often for tips on effective advocacy and useful links. Send me your stories of effective action or links to sites you've found to be particularly helpful and I'll post them here too.

So what do we do about it? Are you registered to vote? Have you moved since you last voted and neglected to change your registration? Can't remember? Every Woman Counts vote by state page allows you to click on your state and register or find ohter information you need to cast your vote. The League of Women Voters' Vote411 is a similar resource. Then it's up to you to vote early and often.Voting in the primary as well as the general election. When you vote in primary elections, your voting power is doubled; about half as many people vote in primaries as in general elections.

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WELCOME TO GLORIAFELDT.COM:

Speaking Up

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UPDATES! Hot Topics on the Pages of GloriaFeldt.com...

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Read the op ed "What Obama needs to do to attract women's votes" in the Chicago Sun Times. If you concur, send the link to Sen. Obama via this feedback form from his campaign website to make your voice heard. And do check out Sarah Blustain's excellent "Life Sentence" in The New Republic, where she outs John McCain's 100% anti-choice, anti-family planning voting record.

>>> On the Heartfeldt Politics blog:

Filed August 21: "Obama Caint" Post Sure Could Get Blog Buzz Going is my response to Erin Kotecki Vest (blogs at Queen of Spain) who suggests I'm wrong for saying Obama should appoint a pro-choice vice presidential candidate. Check it out. Also the comments over at Huffington Post re "Obama Caint Choose Kaine" have been interesting if you want to take a look.

Filed August 17: Obama Caint Choose Kaine

Filed August 11: OK, I couldn't help myself. Read "John Edwards and the Brotherhood of the Traveling Pants" for three reasons why political sex scandals happen and throw us for such a loop.

Filed August 5: McCain Missed the Memo: It's Not OK to Objectify Women, Even Your Wife. You gotta see this video.

Filed August 4: "Bite Your Tongue When It Comes to Politics? Hmmm"

My Red Shoes--I like them too much to delete the photo. Right, Dorothy?

>>>On the Leadership page--"The Importance of Being Hillary": My analysis of the impact of Hillary Clinton's run for president on the future of women in politics, published in the International Leadership Forum Digest.

Essence%20carson%20re%20imus.png >>> On the Media page, read all about women (not) on the op ed pages, a new campaign called "Sexism Sells but We're not Buying It"...watch the video and sign the petition. I updated it with links to the New York Times Public Editor's long overdue excoriation of Maureen Dowd's sexism. And read the excellent sequel to the Don Imus racist-sexist fiasco. It's the story of Essence Carson, pictured at left.

>>> On Women's Lives-- Why are an increasing number of women in their 20's choosing to be single moms? Is that good or bad?

>>>On the Health page, read about the Bush administration's waning-days assault on birth control. Find out what you can do do stop birth control from being wrongly redefined as abortion, and to prevent health care providers from providing unethical care based on polling data.

There's also a query about how the birth control pill has affected you--please take a look and consider responding to professor Elaine Tyler May who's writing a book about this fascinating subject. I plan to. Also an amusing-if-it-weren't-so-annoying post from the Feminist Peace Network.

Contact me if you're looking for a dynamic keynote speaker on motivational leadership, politics and advocacy, reproductive health and justice, women's lives, or media for your meeting or organization. Peruse my speech topics here, and feel free to ask for what you want as I customize for your needs. Lately, I've spoken a lot on "Send Yourself Roses"--candid experiences writing it and how it impacted my life transition--and with the fabulous WomenGirlsLadies intergerational panel.

Latest Podcasts:

LIVE WITH LISA: I talked with radio talk host Lisa Wexler about the leadership brilliance and the oversights in Obama's speech on race, presidential politics, and Send Yourself Roses.

PODCAST: GLORIA INTERVIEWS KATHLEEN TURNER At New York's 92nd St. Y

LEADERSHIP PODCAST: IN CHAOS IS OPPORTUNITY
Frustrated by change in your organization? Here's a different approach that shows you how to manage change to your advantage...

POLITICS PODCAST: THE CLASH OF UNCERTAINTIES

Want to know how to interpret the poltical winds and how you can influence their direction? Listen to "The Clash of uncertainties...

Check out these photos from the most fabulous book party given by a bunch of my Arizona friends at the magnificent Paradise Valley home of Wayne and Lucia Howard:

Wayne and Lucia HowardPhotos courtesy of Linda Herold, Herold Enterprises; here's the writeup and more pics in Front Door Magazine.

Journalist Jana Bommersbach, My Hubby Alex Barbanell, Dear Friend Elaine Warner
More great friends: l-r Michael Sillyman, Amy Gittler, Ilene Lashinsky, Neil Wake, Shari Capra

More Hot Highlights

>>> Speaking Up About Women's Lives:

wgls%20jil%20and%20tara

Read about WomenGirlsLadies on speaking tour at Central Michigan University! L-R: Tara Sathoff-Wells, Central Michigan University Director of Women's Studies; the four WomenGirlsLadies (WGL for short)--me, Deborah Siegel, Courtney Martin, and Kristal Brent Zook; and my dear friend from way back in our West Texas days, CMU Professor Jill Taft Kaufman. And here's the Harvard Crimson's report of our April 18 panel, entitled "Four Feminists Take on Harvard", followed by the Jewish Women's Archive blog, Jewesses with Attitude's rendition called "'WomenGirlsLadies'...Fishnets, Food, and Feminism" that begins like this:

Are younger generations of women "afraid" of feminism? Has the media slashed and distorted women's choices about balancing work and family? Must women vote for female candidates?
For those of us who care about women's issues, these questions have surely surfaced in dinner conversations, the workplace lunchroom, and in the blogosphere, of course...

SEE MORE OF GLORIA'S BOOKS

MY FAVORITE POLITICAL SITES and RESOURCES

(see Political Action Tools and Elections pages for many more)

My Favorite Political Action Tool Links

MY FAVORITE LEADERSHIP LINKS and RESOURCES

Chock Full of Inspiring and Empowering Life Lessons for Women

MY FAVORITE BLOGS AND WEBSITES by and for Women

MY FAVORITE BLOGS AND RESOURCES FOR HEALTH, SEXUALITY & CHOICE

View sample media and speech clips.

Some places I've made presentations:

More Endorsements:

See Roses and More of My Books Here

MY FAVORITE MEDIA BLOGS and RESOURCES

Why “Speaking up”? Because I believe passionately in the power of your voice and mine to make a difference in our world—and in our own lives.

Have You Read Our New York Times Bestseller?

Thanks for coming to the Heartfeldt Politics Blog.

Why "Heartfeldt"? Politics is always ultimately personal. The tagline “Heartfeldt” for this blog has a very personal meaning for me. Scroll to the bottom of this page to see why..and post your comments along the way.

WomenGirlsLadies Speaking Events ScheduleJoin us and tell your friends!

Bite Your Tongue When Talking With Adult Children?

About this Health Page: Access to health care is like the weather-everybody talks about it but nobody does anything about it. Well, what could be a better moment than now, when candidates for president are duking it out over what their policies on health care will be?

When did you send YOURSELF roses literally or metaphorically? This is your blog, so post away--scroll to the bottom of the page and create a new post or reply to someone else's!

New York Times Bestseller!!

"A real page turner... a nice little read."--Cindy Adams.

My Media Commentary Topics and Clips for Television, Web, Radio, Newspaper and Magazine Features and Profiles, Q & A's, Op-Eds.

New York Times Bestseller

“False Balance" WAM! Women Action Media Conference

A Woman of Substance

From My E-News

I created GloriaFeldt.com because I believe passionately in the power of your voice and mine to make a real difference in our world—and in our own lives. I believe passionately in Speaking Up!

If you'd like me to Speak Up with a customized keynote speech that will inspire and energize your organization

...or to book me for media commentary

Welcome to the Political Action Tools Page