Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Sheila Head and Norma Lana, two very funny, accomplished and creative women have joined forces both personally and professionally. They first met at voice over auditions - one thing led to another and 4 years ago they got married. Sheila, an actress, comedy writer and improv pro and Norma, also a writer, actress/producer, media trainer put their talents together and are behind the pulpy comedy, "Hollywood Nurses." Sheila's the co-writer, Norma, the producer. In case you had no idea, "the mid-1950s was the heyday of pulp novels and the unique expression of queer sexuality in paperback." We talk about that and lots of other 'stuff' in this no-holds barred, hilarious, engaging conversation.

Meklit Hadero was just 2 when she, her two older sisters and parents fled to the U.S. from Ethiopia to escape the violence that followed the country's 1974 revolution. They settled in Iowa before moving to Brooklyn, New York where Meklit sang in choirs and was introduced to the music of Billie Holiday. She continued singing while attending Yale University, earning a degree in political science. But music remained an important part of her life. Meklit eventually settled in San Francisco, developing and performing her own sound - a combination of jazz, folk and East African influences; what she describes as, "music coming from in-between spaces." You can't afford to miss this conversation with the talented, passionate, committed artist and activist, MeklitHardero.

Meklit Hadero was just 2 when she, her two older sisters and parents fled to the U.S. from Ethiopia to escape the violence that followed the country's 1974 revolution. They settled in Iowa before moving to Brooklyn, New York where Meklit sang in choirs and was introduced to the music of Billie Holiday. She continued singing while attending Yale University, earning a degree in political science. But music remained an important part of her life. Meklit eventually settled in San Francisco, developing and performing her own sound - a combination of jazz, folk and East African influences; what she describes as, "music coming from in-between spaces." You can't afford to miss this conversation with the talented, passionate, committed artist and activist, MeklitHardero.

This week we revisit our conversation with Susan Fisher Sterling. The National Museum of Women in the Arts, in Washington, D.C. is the only major museum dedicated solely to celebrating the creative contributions of women. Founded in 1987, NMWA not only champions women artists, it also directly addresses the gender imbalance in presenting art worldwide. Susan Fisher Sterling has been with the NMWA since 1988 when she was hired as an associate curator. In 2008, she was named Director. Susan has built her career and the stature of the museum around the message of equity for women through the example of excellence in the arts. Tune in as she shares what that's been like and what's in store as NMWA prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Rebecca Harrell Tickell's acting career began at a very young age. She went from performing in school plays in Vermont to New York, where at the tender of age of 9, she got a starring role in the Christmas movie classic Prancer. It was on to L.A. and more film and tv roles. In 2007 she moved from acting to pursue her dream of combining environmental activism, filmmaking and production. She and her future husband Josh Tickell joined forces and through their company Green Planet Productions, have made several documentaries that focus on social causes. We cover a lot of ground in our conversation with this creative, committed, passionate woman.

Talk about creativity! Singer, multi-instrumentalist, writer, producer Erin McKeown is known as an artist who dispenses with stylistic boundaries. Her music includes pop, swing, rock, folk, electronic. Erin, who’s performed here, there and everywhere has released 9 studio albums. She has also worked closely with a range of non-profits focusing on passion for media justice and immigration reform. Here’s yet another ‘not to be missed’ conversation.