In this powerful episode, Sandy Rosenthal shares her remarkable story of resilience and determination in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. With no background in engineering or law, Sandy took on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after uncovering a devastating truth: the levee failures that flooded New Orleans weren’t just an act of nature—they were preventable mistakes. Her journey reminds us how vital it is to hold institutions accountable, especially in times of crisis.

Sandy opens up about the emotional toll and uphill battle she faced while pushing back against powerful forces trying to shift the blame onto local communities. Her advocacy wasn’t easy, but she refused to back down. This conversation brings to light the complex web of power, responsibility, and the courage it takes to speak truth to that power, all of which is covered in her book, "Words Whispered in Water: Why the Levees Broke in Hurricane Katrina."

Her story is more than just a tale of disaster—it’s a call to action. It’s about purpose. About using your voice. And about realizing that even without credentials or a platform, each of us can still make a real impact.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to stand up, speak out, and bring about change—whether in your neighborhood or on a larger scale.

Links referenced in this episode:

• The grassroots organization that started it all: levees.org
• To get information about Sandy's book, what she is doing now, and her podcasts, go to sandyrosenthal.net
• Check out Older Women and Friends, hosted by Jane Leder.
• Try out the Boomer Banter Membership, free for a month. Email me at [email protected] to get access to the virtual gatherings.
• Support our sponsor, Greenwood Capital

Learn more about Greenwood Capital or find resources at www.GreenwoodCapital.com. Boomer Banter is sponsored in part by Greenwood Capital Associates, LLC. Greenwood Capital Associates, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm with offices in Greenville and Greenwood, SC. As a fiduciary firm, Greenwood Capital is obligated to disclose any potential conflicts of interest with this arrangement. The host of “Boomer Banter”, Wendy Green, is a client of Greenwood Capital, and her show “Boomer Banter” has been compensated for her testimonial through Greenwood Capital’s sponsorship. Greenwood Capital is a Legacy sponsor at the stated rate of $2,600 for the 2025 calendar year.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy