Sojourner Truth Radio

Today on Sojourner Truth, we celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month 2021 with an in depth discussion with two grassroots women's movement leaders: Marian Kramer of the National Welfare Rights Union and Selma James, founder of the International Wages for Housework Campaign.

The NWRO led the way for access to welfare benefits for thousands of single mothers who were previously denied. In 1965, Johnnie Tillmon of Watts, California, and President of the NWRO said: "If I were President, I'd start paying women a living wage for doing the work we are already doing child raising and housekeeping. And the welfare crisis will be over. Just like that. Housewives would be getting wages, too." The NWRO led a women's movement that pressed for the right to welfare and for increased money for impoverished caregivers, who were referred to as welfare mothers. They protested across the nation including against the Vietnam war. The NWRO was central in the organizing and success of the first Poor People's Campaign, which was called by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. months before his assassination.

The NWRO experienced tremendous growth and popularity, more than doubling in membership from 10,000 in 1968 to 22,000 in 1969. Some say the organization had as many as 100,000 members by 1969. They believed the state had a responsibility to provide for all of its citizens in need. In 1987, the National Welfare Rights Union (NWRU) picked up the torch and continued the work of the NWRO, pursuing social justice for all members of society, especially those who have been excluded, like women and mothers. Marian Kramer and other leading members of the NWRU continue to mobilize poor and low-income people, public assistance recipients, caregivers, and the unemployed.

On the other side of the Atlantic in the UK, aware of the importance of the welfare rights movement, Selma James founded the Wages for Housework Campaign in 1972. She was the first to put forward the demand for wages for housework at the third National Women's Liberation Conference in Manchester, England. For decades, the International Wages for Housework Campaign has organized with unwaged workers in the home (such as mothers, housewives, and domestic workers denied pay), and unwaged subsistence farmers and workers on the land and in the community.

On March 8, 2000, at the request of Irish women who were organizing a strike of women in Ireland the Wages for Housework Campaign called for a Global Women's Strike, demanding payment for all caring work. Women from more than 60 countries around the world participated in the protest and continue to be active today. Today, Global Women's Strike has joined with the Green New Deal for Europe and has launched a global campaign for a Care Income Now! to be paid to those who are caring for people and/or the environment.

Today on Sojourner Truth, we celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month 2021 with an in depth discussion with two grassroots women's movement leaders: Marian Kramer of the National Welfare Rights Union and Selma James, founder of the International Wages for Housework Campaign.

The NWRO led the way for access to welfare benefits for thousands of single mothers who were previously denied. In 1965, Johnnie Tillmon of Watts, California, and President of the NWRO said: "If I were President, I'd start paying women a living wage for doing the work we are already doing child raising and housekeeping. And the welfare crisis will be over. Just like that. Housewives would be getting wages, too." The NWRO led a women's movement that pressed for the right to welfare and for increased money for impoverished caregivers, who were referred to as welfare mothers. They protested across the nation including against the Vietnam war. The NWRO was central in the organizing and success of the first Poor People's Campaign, which was called by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. months before his assassination.

The NWRO experienced tremendous growth and popularity, more than doubling in membership from 10,000 in 1968 to 22,000 in 1969. Some say the organization had as many as 100,000 members by 1969. They believed the state had a responsibility to provide for all of its citizens in need. In 1987, the National Welfare Rights Union (NWRU) picked up the torch and continued the work of the NWRO, pursuing social justice for all members of society, especially those who have been excluded, like women and mothers. Marian Kramer and other leading members of the NWRU continue to mobilize poor and low-income people, public assistance recipients, caregivers, and the unemployed.

On the other side of the Atlantic in the UK, aware of the importance of the welfare rights movement, Selma James founded the Wages for Housework Campaign in 1972. She was the first to put forward the demand for wages for housework at the third National Women's Liberation Conference in Manchester, England. For decades, the International Wages for Housework Campaign has organized with unwaged workers in the home (such as mothers, housewives, and domestic workers denied pay), and unwaged subsistence farmers and workers on the land and in the community.

On March 8, 2000, at the request of Irish women who were organizing a strike of women in Ireland the Wages for Housework Campaign called for a Global Women's Strike, demanding payment for all caring work. Women from more than 60 countries around the world participated in the protest and continue to be active today. Today, Global Women's Strike has joined with the Green New Deal for Europe and has launched a global campaign for a Care Income Now! to be paid to those who are caring for people and/or the environment.

Today on Sojourner Truth, we celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month 2021 with an in depth discussion with two grassroots women's movement leaders: Marian Kramer of the National Welfare Rights Union and Selma James, founder of the International Wages for Housework Campaign.

The NWRO led the way for access to welfare benefits for thousands of single mothers who were previously denied. In 1965, Johnnie Tillmon of Watts, California, and President of the NWRO said: "If I were President, I'd start paying women a living wage for doing the work we are already doing child raising and housekeeping. And the welfare crisis will be over. Just like that. Housewives would be getting wages, too." The NWRO led a women's movement that pressed for the right to welfare and for increased money for impoverished caregivers, who were referred to as welfare mothers. They protested across the nation including against the Vietnam war. The NWRO was central in the organizing and success of the first Poor People's Campaign, which was called by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. months before his assassination.

The NWRO experienced tremendous growth and popularity, more than doubling in membership from 10,000 in 1968 to 22,000 in 1969. Some say the organization had as many as 100,000 members by 1969. They believed the state had a responsibility to provide for all of its citizens in need. In 1987, the National Welfare Rights Union (NWRU) picked up the torch and continued the work of the NWRO, pursuing social justice for all members of society, especially those who have been excluded, like women and mothers. Marian Kramer and other leading members of the NWRU continue to mobilize poor and low-income people, public assistance recipients, caregivers, and the unemployed.

On the other side of the Atlantic in the UK, aware of the importance of the welfare rights movement, Selma James founded the Wages for Housework Campaign in 1972. She was the first to put forward the demand for wages for housework at the third National Women's Liberation Conference in Manchester, England. For decades, the International Wages for Housework Campaign has organized with unwaged workers in the home (such as mothers, housewives, and domestic workers denied pay), and unwaged subsistence farmers and workers on the land and in the community.

On March 8, 2000, at the request of Irish women who were organizing a strike of women in Ireland the Wages for Housework Campaign called for a Global Women's Strike, demanding payment for all caring work. Women from more than 60 countries around the world participated in the protest and continue to be active today. Today, Global Women's Strike has joined with the Green New Deal for Europe and has launched a global campaign for a Care Income Now! to be paid to those who are caring for people and/or the environment.

Today on Sojourner Truth, we celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month 2021 with an in depth discussion with two grassroots women's movement leaders: Marian Kramer of the National Welfare Rights Union and Selma James, founder of the International Wages for Housework Campaign.

The NWRO led the way for access to welfare benefits for thousands of single mothers who were previously denied. In 1965, Johnnie Tillmon of Watts, California, and President of the NWRO said: "If I were President, I'd start paying women a living wage for doing the work we are already doing child raising and housekeeping. And the welfare crisis will be over. Just like that. Housewives would be getting wages, too." The NWRO led a women's movement that pressed for the right to welfare and for increased money for impoverished caregivers, who were referred to as welfare mothers. They protested across the nation including against the Vietnam war. The NWRO was central in the organizing and success of the first Poor People's Campaign, which was called by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. months before his assassination.

The NWRO experienced tremendous growth and popularity, more than doubling in membership from 10,000 in 1968 to 22,000 in 1969. Some say the organization had as many as 100,000 members by 1969. They believed the state had a responsibility to provide for all of its citizens in need. In 1987, the National Welfare Rights Union (NWRU) picked up the torch and continued the work of the NWRO, pursuing social justice for all members of society, especially those who have been excluded, like women and mothers. Marian Kramer and other leading members of the NWRU continue to mobilize poor and low-income people, public assistance recipients, caregivers, and the unemployed.

On the other side of the Atlantic in the UK, aware of the importance of the welfare rights movement, Selma James founded the Wages for Housework Campaign in 1972. She was the first to put forward the demand for wages for housework at the third National Women's Liberation Conference in Manchester, England. For decades, the International Wages for Housework Campaign has organized with unwaged workers in the home (such as mothers, housewives, and domestic workers denied pay), and unwaged subsistence farmers and workers on the land and in the community.

On March 8, 2000, at the request of Irish women who were organizing a strike of women in Ireland the Wages for Housework Campaign called for a Global Women's Strike, demanding payment for all caring work. Women from more than 60 countries around the world participated in the protest and continue to be active today. Today, Global Women's Strike has joined with the Green New Deal for Europe and has launched a global campaign for a Care Income Now! to be paid to those who are caring for people and/or the environment.

Today on Sojourner Truth, our weekly roundtable. Our panelists are Laura Carlsen, Jackie Goldberg and Dr. Gerald Horne.

President Biden's foreign policy thus far has liberals and progressives worried. His team, they say, is filled with war hawks, while his man in the Pentagon has ties with the U.S. defense industry. What difference, if any, will there be with Biden and Trump's foreign policy?

On the national front, President Biden's executive orders are being hailed by some, and roundly criticized by others. Can his strategy of undoing Trump's policies via executive orders hold? The challenges of moving forward President Biden's new stimulus bill and the role of the filibuster that GOP minority leader in the Senate Mitch McConnell has managed to maintain.

Nancy Pelosi is growing worried about what she calls "the enemy within" as elected officials are threatened and the U.S. issues a warning to the nation about the threat of internal terrorists.

Today on Sojourner Truth, our weekly roundtable. Our panelists are Laura Carlsen, Jackie Goldberg and Dr. Gerald Horne.

President Biden's foreign policy thus far has liberals and progressives worried. His team, they say, is filled with war hawks, while his man in the Pentagon has ties with the U.S. defense industry. What difference, if any, will there be with Biden and Trump's foreign policy?

On the national front, President Biden's executive orders are being hailed by some, and roundly criticized by others. Can his strategy of undoing Trump's policies via executive orders hold? The challenges of moving forward President Biden's new stimulus bill and the role of the filibuster that GOP minority leader in the Senate Mitch McConnell has managed to maintain.

Nancy Pelosi is growing worried about what she calls "the enemy within" as elected officials are threatened and the U.S. issues a warning to the nation about the threat of internal terrorists.

Today on Sojourner Truth, our weekly roundtable. Our panelists are Laura Carlsen, Jackie Goldberg and Dr. Gerald Horne.

President Biden's foreign policy thus far has liberals and progressives worried. His team, they say, is filled with war hawks, while his man in the Pentagon has ties with the U.S. defense industry. What difference, if any, will there be with Biden and Trump's foreign policy?

On the national front, President Biden's executive orders are being hailed by some, and roundly criticized by others. Can his strategy of undoing Trump's policies via executive orders hold? The challenges of moving forward President Biden's new stimulus bill and the role of the filibuster that GOP minority leader in the Senate Mitch McConnell has managed to maintain.

Nancy Pelosi is growing worried about what she calls "the enemy within" as elected officials are threatened and the U.S. issues a warning to the nation about the threat of internal terrorists.

Today on Sojourner Truth, our weekly roundtable. Our panelists are Laura Carlsen, Jackie Goldberg and Dr. Gerald Horne.

President Biden's foreign policy thus far has liberals and progressives worried. His team, they say, is filled with war hawks, while his man in the Pentagon has ties with the U.S. defense industry. What difference, if any, will there be with Biden and Trump's foreign policy?

On the national front, President Biden's executive orders are being hailed by some, and roundly criticized by others. Can his strategy of undoing Trump's policies via executive orders hold? The challenges of moving forward President Biden's new stimulus bill and the role of the filibuster that GOP minority leader in the Senate Mitch McConnell has managed to maintain.

Nancy Pelosi is growing worried about what she calls "the enemy within" as elected officials are threatened and the U.S. issues a warning to the nation about the threat of internal terrorists.

Today on Sojourner Truth:

For our weekly Earth Watch, Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, joins us to discuss the impact of Indigenous-led protests against the Keystone XL pipeline. Now, Biden has announced that he is revoking a key permit for the pipeline. The massive protests at Standing Rock against the pipeline brought national and international attention to the issue, and Biden's announcement is seen as a victory. But, is Biden's announcement enough? What more is needed? Also, reaction to Biden's other environmental executive orders and plans.

Also, the latest on the second impeachment of Donald Trump, as Republicans indicate they will not convict him. They also make the claim that the trial is "unconstitutional." Are there any options left for Democrats to hold Trump accountable for the January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol? Our guest is Marjorie Cohn, professor emerita at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where she taught for 25 years. The former president of the National Lawyers Guild and criminal defense attorney is a legal scholar and political analyst who writes books and articles, and lectures throughout the world about human rights, US foreign policy, and the contradiction between the two.

Grassroots activist organizations are now being targeted by social media networks as part of the blow back of the January 6 Capitol invasion. Our guest is Sharon Black, an organizer with both the Peoples Power Assembly, based in Baltimore and with Struggle La Lucha/Mujeres En Lucha, a national women's group.

Today on Sojourner Truth:

For our weekly Earth Watch, Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, joins us to discuss the impact of Indigenous-led protests against the Keystone XL pipeline. Now, Biden has announced that he is revoking a key permit for the pipeline. The massive protests at Standing Rock against the pipeline brought national and international attention to the issue, and Biden's announcement is seen as a victory. But, is Biden's announcement enough? What more is needed? Also, reaction to Biden's other environmental executive orders and plans.

Also, the latest on the second impeachment of Donald Trump, as Republicans indicate they will not convict him. They also make the claim that the trial is "unconstitutional." Are there any options left for Democrats to hold Trump accountable for the January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol? Our guest is Marjorie Cohn, professor emerita at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where she taught for 25 years. The former president of the National Lawyers Guild and criminal defense attorney is a legal scholar and political analyst who writes books and articles, and lectures throughout the world about human rights, US foreign policy, and the contradiction between the two.

Grassroots activist organizations are now being targeted by social media networks as part of the blow back of the January 6 Capitol invasion. Our guest is Sharon Black, an organizer with both the Peoples Power Assembly, based in Baltimore and with Struggle La Lucha/Mujeres En Lucha, a national women's group.