Two Old Bitches: Stories from Women who Reimagine, Reinvent and Rebel

Now displaying: January, 2017

S01 Episode 06: Elaine Finsilver – The Cracked Plate 0

Jan 25, 2017

“If you stay removed from life, you don’t get anything. If you get involved in life, you get everything back!”

At 85 1/2, Elaine Finsilver is – and has always been – determined to fill her life with art, politics and love in all their fullness and complexity. Her long life is full of those moments you stand up for your own convictions and justice, no matter the price. From reveling, in the 1950s, in being what her mother called a “fallen woman” because she moved in with a crew of bohemians on 103rd Street (including Andy Warhol); to pursuing the love of her life despite major marital complications; to gifting herself the joy of a painting career in her 70s and 80s, Elaine seamlessly radiates the joy and rewards of standing up for your beliefs and yourself. And, despite her mother’s best efforts to send her to finishing school, our conversation with her reveals, beyond a doubt, that she is anything but finished! Hope you’ll listen and love Elaine’s spirit and stories as much as we do. (And, if you want deep indulgence, follow up with our conversation with Elaine's daughter, Jane Summer, about writing and returning home).

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S01 Episode 05: Noeleen Heyzer – Through the Eyes of Experience 0

Jan 17, 2017

In these challenging times, we need wise women more than ever! For the last 40 years, Noeleen Heyzer, 68, has been a courageous and influential thinker and advocate for women’s rights, workers’ rights, climate justice and so many other issues. Until 2015, she was the United Nations Under-Secretary General for the entire Asia-Pacific region and, from 1994 to 2007, she was the Executive Director for the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Noeleen’s leadership, writing and actions have inspired many thousands of men and women – including her two phenomenal and talented daughters, Pauline and Lilianne -- to stand up, speak up and make a difference in the world. She now lives in Thailand and Singapore, so we were thrilled to catch up with Noeleen when she visited New York in September 2016 and to hear what she’s been thinking about since her retirement from the United Nations. Find out more about Noeleen at this website: http://noeleenheyzer.com. In the meantime, hope you’ll find Noeleen’s words as inspiring as we did!

And, a special note to our colleagues from UNIFEM: We loved reminiscing and talking about all of the strategies and changes we collectively were able to support during those amazing years. This conversation is a tribute to all of you wherever you are!!!

Musical credits:

Sweet Honey in the Rock: Ella's Song

Bob Marley: Get Up Stand Up

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S01 Episode 04: Jane Summer - Finding Her Story 0

Jan 3, 2017

Jane Summer, 62, describes herself as a writer and as "the most downwardly mobile person" she knows. Writing is her passion and affliction. At 55, she transformed her life and returned to school for an MFA. Searching for her story, she remembered a precious friendship: While working at Women's Wear Daily in the late 1970s, Jane's colleague, Kay, boarded Air New Zealand flight 901 to Antarctica, never to return. Jane's book, Erebus, is an homage to memory, mystery, love and loss. Visit Jane's website at http://janegsp.wixsite.com/janesummer to learn about Jane's other books and articles. And spend 30 minutes with Jane and Two Old Bitches as we explore finding your story, life without a plan, and the many gifts of family.

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