Women in Resistance: An Interview Series by Dr. James Bertsch

Women of the Resistance is a series of 1-1 interviews conducted by me, Suffolk County activist and educator Dr. James Bertsch, with female leaders awakened by the anti-Trump Resistance. Some of these women started working to create a climate of social justice before Trump. Not a monolith, the causes these leaders advocate for are diverse. All are committed to expelling Trump from the White House. Yet they all know the agenda of hate Trump embodies is more diffuse and more deeply entrenched than in the office of one President. Each woman works to counter these forces with an agenda they feel will make their neighborhoods, our nation and our world a better place.

Any questions about any of the interviews that have been conducted or any upcoming interviews that will be scheduled after Election Day, please email me at jjjbertsch@hotmail.com.

Wed., October 14^th – Episode 1: Barbara Weber-Floyd - The Resistance and Me

The first interview was with The Resistance and Me author Barbara Weber-Floyd. The series is inspired by her wonderful memoir https://www.amazon.com/Resistance-Me.../dp/0578620529, which is the driving force for this program, the Women of the Resistance.

Barbara Weber-Floyd is a Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism graduate who was politically activated by the election of Donald Trump. The Resistance and Me is about the role women have played in the anti-Trump Resistance and how this movement powered the blue wave in 2018 with lessons for the 2020 election. Like Barbara, I believe women will decide the next President of the United States.

Here's the recording of my interview with Resistance and Me author, Barbara Weber-Floyd. It's an extraordinary book I'd recommend to anyone about this moment in political history. It's an awakening of women's consciousness. On the night when we could have elected our first female President, we elected a misogynistic figure who is manifestly unfit for office. Learn about the women in Barbara's life especially from the East End. The loving and intimate descriptions of the women in this book and the fight for justice sums up a chapter in many of our lives. Writing it was likely therapy for her and it had to have been hard. But if you are working at therapy on intractable issues, like we are living through now, it doesn’t mean much unless it’s hard. It is also healing.

https://www.facebook.com/james.bertsch.33/videos/811883049562262

Wed., October 21^st – Episode 2: Rebecca Dolber

If you missed my interview with Rebecca Dolber, leader of the East End Action Network, please see the link to the Zoom recording. The conversation explored the impetus of her political consciousness, how its evolved, patriarchy and feminist leadership.

Copy/paste the link if you can't click to it. Then type in the passcode.

It's worth the hour of your time. Rebecca is an inspired person and leader.

https://us02web.zoom.us/.../scj5KscViiRUy5K5gVjo3Ox0IQJpI...

Passcode: 3@$T+I.Z

Mon., October 26^th – Episode 3: Karen Burke

If you didn't get a chance to listen in, here is the recording of my interview this evening with Sister Karen Burke of the Sisters of St. Joseph: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../PL1Gmz63RAZvAZABPqGHRy73TlGTm... Passcode: Su@%4sBG

A member of her community, Karen Burke has helped make the Sisters of St. Joseph on the Brentwood campus a leader on Long Island for sustainability. Karen is the recipient of the Long Island Progressive Coalition Award Long Islander Who Has Made A Difference. Sr. Karen walks the walk. On their Brentwood campus, the Sisters of St. Joseph has built one of Long Island's largest solar farms (https://www.newsday.com/.../religious-order-solar-power-1...). The Sisters of St. Joseph are now building the largest communal nitrogen-treating system on Long Island. News coverage on that exciting development will be coming out in the next few months.

Karen Burke, CSJ, EdD is the Coordinator of Land Initiatives for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY. S. Karen has a Doctoral Degree in Instructional Leadership, St. John's University, New York (1998) and an Advanced Certificate in Campus Sustainable Innovation, University of Vermont (2015). As a member of her faith community, the Sisters of St. Joseph, Karen has moved her community to become Long Island's definitive leader on the environment.

Read more about Sr. Karen Burke, Ed.D. here: http://ruralmigrantministry.org/karen-burke

Tues., October 27^th- Episode 4: Shoshana Hershkowitz

I had a great conversation last night with my friend Shoshana Hershkowitz, activist and founder of Suffolk Progressives. Shoshana continues to be an inspiration to so many of us.

Here is a link to the recording. Input the access passcode to play the recording:

https://us02web.zoom.us/.../N4Odbq2ba5IEvoOPSwx3ogBDtuTyy...

Access Passcode: 3X6EY+xa