In episode 22 of the Equality Talks podcast, host Elisa Parker introduces us to Cristina Escobar, co-founder of LatinaMedia.Co and member of ERA Coalition Forward's Communications, Public Education and Civic Engagement Working Group. Escobar introduces the third rail of the Hollywood ecosystem, the critic, the reviewer. She challenges us to not only look at who is telling the story but who is critiquing it. Who is shaping and determining what is artistically valuable. In her work of amplifying Latina voices, Escobar emphasizes that Latino political and economical power is one of the strongest influences in our country yet often underrepresented on the screen.

Escobar believes that culture precedes politics. So, if you want to change the world, you have to change how people think about the world first. Through decades of crafting stories to create positive social impact, she shares how to create an effective campaign and reminds us that not only does everyone deserve a chance to tell their story, they need a chance to examine it as well.

Hosted by nationally acclaimed radio host and Equal Voices/ERA Coalition, Elisa Parker, Equality Talks bridges the intersections of equality, justice, and social activism to unify as a collective and change the status quo.

Equality Talks focuses on the key facets of equality across all communities, including everything from gender, racial, economic and reproductive justice, to labor, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ rights.

For more information on Equality Talks go to www.ERACoaltion.org and www.EqualVoice.org.

Moving from silos to solidarity.

The ERA Coalition was founded in 2014 to bring concerted, organized action to the effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA Coalition has a sister organization, the Fund for Women’s Equality, which promotes public education and outreach on the need for constitutional equality. Composed of more than 300 organizations across the country representing millions of people, the Coalition is a movement of movements focused on overall equality in the United States.

While the effort to amend the constitution to include sex equality began nearly a century ago, our renewed efforts are centered on women of color (African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Latina, and Native American), gender-nonconforming and transgender women and girls, and nonbinary people – those who are most impacted by systemic inequities.

www.eracoalition.org | www.fundforwomensequality.org

About Cristina:

A writer, speaker, and critic, Cristina Escobar works at the intersection of race, gender, and pop culture. She has worked for feminist causes for over a decade, helping like-minded individuals and organizations tell their stories in ways that break through the clutter. As such, she’s the proud co-founder and editor-in-chief of LatinaMedia.Co, an indie publication platforming Latina and queer Latinx perspectives in media. In addition, she has an accomplished career as an entertainment journalist with bylines in the A.V. Club, Glamour, NPR, Refinery29, Remezcla, Roger Ebert, TODAY, Vulture, and more. A TEDx speaker, Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and member of the Critics Choice Association and the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association, she lives in Santa Fe with her husband, two kids, and rescue dog.

https://latinamedia.co

@latinamediaco

@cescobarandrade

In episode 21 of the Equality Talks podcast, host Elisa Parker introduces us to Dr. Nicole Haggard, director of the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University and co-founder of CIME. Dr. Haggard takes an intersectional approach to advancing culture and brings data to life through storytelling. She reminds us that the stories we tell ourselves and what we place value on is what defines our culture. In her personal story, she tells a tale of following her heart, showing up for equality and most important the power of women supporting women and the sisterhood at Mount Saint Mary's University (MSMU).

As a longtime educator and activist for gender justice she serves at one of the ultimate hubs for women in Southern California. MSMU is also home to the Report on the Status of Women and Girls, directed by Dr. Haggard and is one of the most comprehensive reports of its kind. Haggard, discusses the cost of being a woman, the theme of their 13th annual report. The ERA Coalition is thrilled to be in partnership with Mount Saint Mary's University and was honored to be included in the report and featured at their annual event at Skirball in Los Angeles.

Ask anyone about MSMU and they'll generally tell you there is a magic that exists within this educational institution. Founded by the Sisters of St Joseph, visionary educators, the university has a long-standing reputation for embodying and supporting women and creates ripples for justice and serving the higher good within the community.

This episode with Dr. Haggard reminds us of the power of unstoppable sisterhood.

Hosted by nationally acclaimed radio host and Equal Voices/ERA Coalition, Elisa Parker, Equality Talks bridges the intersections of equality, justice, and social activism to unify as a collective and change the status quo.

Equality Talks focuses on the key facets of equality across all communities, including everything from gender, racial, economic and reproductive justice, to labor, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ rights.

For more information on Equality Talks go to www.ERACoaltion.org and www.EqualVoice.org.

Moving from silos to solidarity.

The ERA Coalition was founded in 2014 to bring concerted, organized action to the effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA Coalition has a sister organization, the Fund for Women’s Equality, which promotes public education and outreach on the need for constitutional equality. Composed of more than 300 organizations across the country representing millions of people, the Coalition is a movement of movements focused on overall equality in the United States.

While the effort to amend the constitution to include sex equality began nearly a century ago, our renewed efforts are centered on women of color (African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Latina, and Native American), gender-nonconforming and transgender women and girls, and nonbinary people – those who are most impacted by systemic inequities.

www.eracoalition.org | www.fundforwomensequality.org

About Dr. Nicole:

Nicole Haggard, PhD, is the director of the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Haggard’s scholarly work, consulting and academic career have been dedicated to promoting equity for women and gender parity. Her research focuses on the intersection of race and gender in American culture. A faculty member in the Film, Media, and Social Justice program at Mount Saint Mary’s since 2015, Haggard is also the co-founder of the Center for Intersectional Media and Entertainment, an organization dedicated to advancing representation in the entertainment industry.

Haggard takes an intersectional approach to advancing culture and brings data to life through storytelling. Haggard has worked with organizations like the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and Lyda Hill Philanthropies If/Then Initiative to amplify their mission of advancing women in underrepresented fields. In addition to being a seasoned and engaging presenter and keynote speaker, she is also a contributing expert to media outlets, such as Variety, NPR, and Spectrum News.

Haggard holds a PhD in American studies, with an emphasis in Women’s Studies and Critical Race Theory from Saint Louis University.

To learn more of the 2024 Report on the Status of Women and Girls click here.

In episode 20 of the Equality Talks podcast, host Elisa Parker introduces us to Dr. Nancy O'Reilly, founder of Women Connect4Good and ultimate champion for women and the ERA. She has made it her life's mission to support organizations who lift up and advance wonen and girls and activate their passion and purpose. She believes publishing the Equal Rights Amendment in our constitution is one of the most import things we can do right now to create gender equity and she won't stop until the ERA becomes our 28th amendment. She stresses that being clear with our intent and asking for what we want is essential to stepping into our full value and worth along with stepping into our power-to. Public education and awareness is key and relationships are essential to sustainable equitable change.

O'Reilly says, "why not". Why not demand that the President instruct the archivist to publish the ERA. Why not demand a world that is equitable and just for all people. Why not show up for another women. She is here to help you. You just need to ask.

Hosted by nationally acclaimed radio host and Equal Voices/ERA Coalition, Elisa Parker, Equality Talks bridges the intersections of equality, justice, and social activism to unify as a collective and change the status quo.

Equality Talks focuses on the key facets of equality across all communities, including everything from gender, racial, economic and reproductive justice, to labor, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ rights.

For more information on Equality Talks go to www.ERACoaltion.org and www.EqualVoice.org.

Moving from silos to solidarity.

The ERA Coalition was founded in 2014 to bring concerted, organized action to the effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA Coalition has a sister organization, the Fund for Women’s Equality, which promotes public education and outreach on the need for constitutional equality. Composed of more than 300 organizations across the country representing millions of people, the Coalition is a movement of movements focused on overall equality in the United States.

While the effort to amend the constitution to include sex equality began nearly a century ago, our renewed efforts are centered on women of color (African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Latina, and Native American), gender-nonconforming and transgender women and girls, and nonbinary people – those who are most impacted by systemic inequities.

www.eracoalition.org | www.fundforwomensequality.org

About Dr. Nancy:

Nancy D. O'Reilly, PsyD, founded Women Connect4Good, Inc., a 501(c)3 foundation, to help support other organizations working to advance women and girls. She also serves on the boards of several social-profit groups, including the National Women’s History Museum.

Dr. Nancy’s latest books, In This Together: How Successful Women Support Each Other in Work and Life (Adams Media/Simon & Schuster, January 2019), and Leading Women: 20 Influential Women Share Their Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life, were both released as audiobooks in 2022. In addition, she and her team continue to gain momentum with the Lift Women Up campaign. Originally created to complement a documentary that aired on PBS featuring her work championing women’s equality and advancement.

Dr. Nancy has earned numerous awards including the prestigious Mosaic Award from Diversity Woman Media, and a Women Making History Award from the National Women’s History Museum for making a significant contribution to her field. Dr. Nancy was also honored in Washington, D.C. at the 2018 Canales project with 20 other women, including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Supporting women is Dr. Nancy’s passion and purpose. Her popular podcast “Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy” examines the stories of life and leadership of smart, amazing women and men whose stories connect us, and helps listeners understand that the possibilities are endless if we support each other and lift one another up.

https://www.drnancyoreilly.com

In episode 18 of the Equality Talks podcast, host Elisa Parker introduces us to activist, community organizer and radio host, Ary Mondragon-Mimms, co-founder of Dia de los Muertos, D.C. Mondragon has helped bring together thousands to the National Mall in D.C. to honor and celebrate our ancestors and inspire action and social change through arts and culture. Having engaged with her own fight for freedom in the United States as an immigrant from Mexico she connects with others like herself to ensure they receive the proper resources, tools, support and protection.

Elisa speaks with Mondragon on the values of honoring our ancestors, our roots and ultimately, death in order to honor ourselves and each other in life. They discuss the importance in taking a leap and the courage necessary to land with confidence and how she integrates her work through Dia de Los Muertos, D.C. to support immigration reforms, marginalized families and women's empowerment. She is a wonderful force of light and possibilities and her enthusiasm for social change is contagious.

Hosted by nationally acclaimed radio host and Equal Voices/ERA Coalition, Elisa Parker, Equality Talks bridges the intersections of equality, justice, and social activism to unify as a collective and change the status quo.  

Equality Talks focuses on the key facets of equality across all communities, including everything from gender, racial, economic and reproductive justice, to labor, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ rights. 

For more information on Equality Talks go to www.ERACoaltion.org and www.EqualVoice.org. 

Moving from silos to solidarity.

The ERA Coalition was founded in 2014 to bring concerted, organized action to the effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA Coalition has a sister organization, the Fund for Women’s Equality, which promotes public education and outreach on the need for constitutional equality. Composed of more than 290 organizations across the country representing millions of people, the Coalition is a movement of movements focused on overall equality in the United States.  

While the effort to amend the constitution to include sex equality began nearly a century ago, our renewed efforts are centered on women of color (African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Latina, and Native American), gender-nonconforming and transgender women and girls, and nonbinary people – those who are most impacted by systemic inequities.  

 
www.eracoalition.org | www.fundforwomensequality.org

About Ary:

Ary Mondragon-Mimms, co-founder of Día de los Muertos DC, Activist, community organizer, co-host of The Pedro Biaggi Show

Ary Mondragon is a native born Mexican, local activist and community organizer in the DMV area. She has spent six years advocating for a number of different social causes that have directly affected her community including, the decriminalization of Marijiuana, female empowerment, support for marginalized families and immigration reform.

In episode 16 of the Equality Talks podcast, host Elisa Parker introduces us to Suzanne Lerner, president and co-founder of Michael Stars, the Michael Stars Foundation and board member of the ERA Coalition. Lerner has been fighting for sex equality for over 5o years and while the Equal Rights Amenment hasn't been published yet in our Constitution, Lerner has made it her life's mission to support equality for women and girls as a philanthropist and through her lifestlye and clothing brand.

Elisa speaks with Lerner about ways the ERA would support businesses and their employees (i.e. pay equity) in addition to leading as an activist in this movement while running an equitable company where everyone can thrive, why men need to be part of this movement, how her travels around the world helped shape her passion for fashion and philanthropy, and the intergenerational cross-over needed to abolish patriarchy once and for all.

Hosted by nationally acclaimed radio host and Equal Voices/ERA Coalition, Elisa Parker, Equality Talks bridges the intersections of equality, justice, and social activism to unify as a collective and change the status quo.  

Equality Talks focuses on the key facets of equality across all communities, including everything from gender, racial, economic and reproductive justice, to labor, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ rights. 

For more information on Equality Talks go to www.ERACoaltion.org and www.EqualVoice.org. 

Moving from silos to solidarity.

The ERA Coalition was founded in 2014 to bring concerted, organized action to the effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA Coalition has a sister organization, the Fund for Women’s Equality, which promotes public education and outreach on the need for constitutional equality. Composed of more than 290 organizations across the country representing millions of people, the Coalition is a movement of movements focused on overall equality in the United States.  

While the effort to amend the constitution to include sex equality began nearly a century ago, our renewed efforts are centered on women of color (African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Latina, and Native American), gender-nonconforming and transgender women and girls, and nonbinary people – those who are most impacted by systemic inequities.  

 
www.eracoalition.org | www.fundforwomensequality.org

About Suzanne:

Suzanne Lerner, co-founder and president of lifestyle and clothing brand Michael Stars, is an activist entrepreneur and philanthropist. As a philanthropist, she focuses on creating economic empowerment for women and girls. She supports organizations that promote gender and racial equality in the United States and internationally through personal grants, impact investments, and the Michael Stars Foundation. Today Suzanne inspires new generations of social impact entrepreneurs and is a frequent speaker on investing, founding, and running socially conscious businesses. She serves as a director on several non-profit boards including the ACLU of Southern California and the Ms. Foundation.

@suzanne_lerner 

Michael Stars Foundation

https://www.michaelstars.com/pages/foundation