Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Rebecca Parrish

Rebecca Parrish uses film and video to share the stories of real people, their struggles and their successes. An award-winning film-maker, based in Chicago, Rebecca is the director of Radical Grace. The documentary follows three amazing, passionate and committed American nuns who risk their standing in the Church after being censured by the Vatican for 'radical feminism.'

Deborah Koeningsberger

Deborah Koenigsberger is a force of nature. A successful businesswoman/entrepreneur, her boutique Noir et Blanc has been around since 1989. But, a walk through a Manhattan park 20 years ago, with her young sons proved to be a seminal, life-changing moment. It was there she came upon a mom and her child sleeping in a cardboard box. That prompted Deborah to start Hearts of Gold, a non-profit that provides sustainable changes in the lifestyles and levels of self-sufficiency for homeless moms and their children. More than 30,000 families have benefited from her dedication, commitment and hard work.

Jacki Zehner

Jacki Zehner is a woman on a mission. The founder of The Jacquelyn and Gregory Zehner Foundation, she funds and works with a whole host of organizations that focus on women's rights. In 2012, she became CEO of Women Moving Millions. The goal of this non-profit is to mobilize resources for the advancement of women and girls - so far, more than 200 people have given gifts of a million dollars or more.

Anna Cummins

Most of what we eat, drink, use every day of our lives comes packaged in petroleum plastic, which is designed to last forever. Only a paltry 5% of the plastics produced is recovered... a fact certainly not lost on the 5 Gyres Institute, which researches plastic pollution across the world's oceans, while engaging communities in finding solutions. You can't afford to miss this conversation with Anna Cummins, the group's Executive Director and co-founder.

Jennifer Lee

Despite calling herself a life-long feminist, filmmaker Jennifer Lee said one day she realized she lacked a visual history of the women's movement of the 20th century. That propelled her to make "Feminist: Stories From Women's Liberation." The 2013 award-winning documentary explores the significance of feminism's second wave.  Listen in as she shares her fascinating, personal story. You can learn more about Jennifer at her website Feminststories.com.

Jennifer Baumgardner

Born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota, Jennifer Baumgardner has one impressive career as an activist. The well-known journalist, author, writer, speaker, cultural critic and filmmaker can now add Publisher/Executive Director of the Feminist Press at CUNY to her resume. Hear how she was profoundly influenced by feminism at an early age and how that made her the woman she is today.

Anne Doyle

Anne Doyle's been there, done that - Radio/TV journalist, businesswoman, speaker, author, local elected public official. As a Sports Broadcaster at the CBS affiliate in Detroit, Anne had the distinction of being one of the first women to break the all boy locker room barrier. She also joined the world of business helping to raise the "Steel Ceiling" at the Ford Motor Company. Anne shares her story and advice in her book Powering Up! How America's Women Achievers Become Leaders.

Sabriye Tenberken

Sabriye Tenberken gives new meaning to activism and inspiration. Born in Cologne, Germany, she became blind at age 12. A trip to Tibet as a young adult was life-changing. Sabriye, along with Paul Kronenberg, founded Braille Without Borders, a world-wide organization that creates training programs and Braille book printing houses. The two are also the co-directors and co-founders of Kanthari, an international institute for social visionaries based in Kerala, South India.

Photo by Paul Kronenberg

Melissa Silverstein

Melissa Silverstein has one helluva resume. She's a writer, lecturer, founder and editor of Women and Hollywood, one of the most respected and go-to-sites when it comes to women, film and other areas of pop culture. She's also the Artistic Director and co-founder of the Athena Film Festival at New York City's Barnard College. Clearly she has plenty to talk about!

Milbry Polk

Meet modern day explorer, pioneer, author Milbry Polk who among her travels, led a camel expedition retracing Alexander the Great's route across Egypt. Polk co-founded WINGS WorldQuest, a non-profit organization that serves as the leading resource and advocate for female explorers world-wide. She is extra-ordinary!