Archived Radio Show

June 16, 2025

Original Radio Show  ID:
WSA250616

Listen to the Show on the Mp3 Player below

Duration 57 minutes

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Featuring

Click the Name to access the Segment below

1. Commentary by our Host, Elaine B. Holtz,

2. Men's Spaces host Ken Norton,

3. Guest Lee J. Pierce, Author of A Rare Vintage - Growing Up Black in Wine Country; former City Councilman of Santa Rosa, California

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1. Commentary by our Host, Elaine B. Holtz:   Elaine ntroduces a new segment to occur periodically called Men’s Spaces, co-hosted by Ken Norton. The debut segment features the Honorable Lee Pierce, former Santa Rosa City Council Vice Mayor, former President of the North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce, and author of A Rare Vintage: Growing Up Black in the Wine Country. Elaine expresses admiration for Lee and excitement about including men’s voices in community conversations.

Elaine reflects on a momentous weekend in Sonoma County, highlighting two significant events that took place on June 14, 2025. The “NO KINGS” protest drew thousands advocating against authoritarianism, including her sister Evelyn Holtz. The 55th annual Juneteenth Festival pn June 14th was another powerful celebration of freedom, where Elaine and Ken ran the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow Foundation booth, awarding five scholarships to youth to attend college.

To capture the spiritual and energetic essence of the day June 14th, Elaine invited Tarot readers and authors Sherry Glaser and Magick to provide numerological and symbolic insights. Magick interprets the day’s numerology as “11,” representing both strength (Lust card) and intuition (High Priestess card), urging courage and inner guidance amid change. Sherry Glaser expands on the Justice card, emphasizing that real justice (just-us) emerges when we share our truths and are heard in community. She underscores the importance of compassion, spiritual alignment, and feminine wisdom in these transformative times. You can see their contact information below.

Elaine ends the commentary by honoring Father’s Day, celebrating the fathers in her life—including her father Solomon Holtz, Ken’s father Don Norton, and other beloved family members. She also pays tribute to Harold Rogers, a key Juneteenth organizer. The segment blends activism, celebration, spirituality, and heartfelt acknowledgment of both women’s and men’s roles in shaping a just, compassionate society.

 Guest LInks:

Magick Tarot: magicktarot11@gmail.com

Sherry Glaser Tarot: sheandshe2@gmail.com

2. Men's Spaces: Elaine B. Holtz and Ken Norton introduce a new segment on Women’s Spaces called Men’s Spaces. The segment will spotlight men who support feminist values and actively contribute to their communities. Ken, who will conduct the interviews, shares his radio background from KKUP in Cupertino, where he hosted a show focused on tribal and percussion-based music. Elaine recounts how Ken’s voice and presence during a time of personal difficulty inspired the creation of Men’s Spaces. Originally planned quarterly, the segment may become monthly. Ken emphasizes the importance of unity, kindness, and allyship across gender and race.

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About Ken Norton:  is co-producer of Women's Spaces, its webmaster and sound engineer. He produced his 5-minute vignettes on the Scent of Light from 2018 to 2020, which were originally broadcast during the Radio Spotlight Magazine on Radio KOWS in Santa Rosa and made available as podcasts. They can be accessed at https://kennethenorton.com/SOL.html . Ken assisted his mentor Professor Dr. William Hermanns for 19 years, helping him edit and publish his works, and at Dr. Hermanns death in 1990 became Trustee of the William Hermanns Trust. Ken maintains a website www.williamhermanns.com in his honor. Ken has his degrees in Materials Science and Engineering: B.S. San Jose State University and M.S. Stanford University.

Our musical break features Buddy Guy singing Skin Deep with the musicians from Playing For Change.

3. Our Men's Spaces Guest Lee J. Pierce: In the first Men’s Spaces segment of Women’s Spaces, host Ken Norton interviews Lee J. Pierce—author, activist, and former Santa Rosa City Council member—about his memoir A Rare Vintage: Growing Up Black in Wine Country. The conversation explores Pierce’s journey from a working-class Black childhood in St. Helena, California, to positions of leadership and creativity that defied expectations.

A central theme of the interview is Pierce’s concept of “The Spotlight,” a metaphor for the constant scrutiny faced by those who stand out, particularly due to race or other differences. Instead of shrinking under that gaze, Pierce embraced it as motivation to strive for excellence.

He also credits his success to “TEOS,” the acronym for “The Element Of Surprise,” a personal philosophy representing unexpected moments of opportunity—like being pushed to run for student body president, chosen as a military squad leader, or promoted to supervisor upon returning from service.

One of Pierce’s most poignant memories is the death of his younger sister Mary Ann, a tragedy that shaped his life and proved the hardest chapter to write. He also recounts a transformative dental surgery in Germany—a 50/50 risk (the same risk if he had been sent to Vietnam) that he took as part of his growth journey.

Mentorship emerges as a key influence in his life, from teachers like Cynthia Fagg, who encouraged him to run for Student Body President at St. Helena High School, to writer Jo Spencer, who urged him to share his story and helped him write the book. Pierce went on to lead departments in hospitals, serve in local government, and started a gem-making company—all rooted in his belief in TEOS and resilience.

Above Elaine B. Holtz, Ken Norton, and guest author Lee J. Pierce in the studio of Radio KBBF.   Photo 2025 by Alicia Sanchez

Closing the interview, Pierce encourages others, especially aspiring writers, to share their stories regardless of outside approval. Norton praises A Rare Vintage as a powerful memoir of overcoming adversity, finding purpose, and honoring one’s full humanity. The book is available at www.ararevintage-leejpierce.com . 

About our Guest:  Lee J. Pierce, a native of Northern Napa County, is an author, public servant, and entrepreneur whose life reflects resilience and purpose. Born LeRoy Junior Pierce in St. Helena, he was the second of nine children in a hardworking Black family. Raised by vineyard and domestic workers, Spencer and Elizabeth Pierce, Lee learned determination and integrity early. At St. Helena High School, he excelled in academics and athletics, serving as student body president. His path to activism began at Merritt College, where he met Bobby Seale. After serving in Germany during the Vietnam War, he returned to build a career and family. Rising to Director of Food Services at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, he later made history as the first Black Santa Rosa City Council member in 2004. He is the author of his autobiography A Rare Vintage - Growing Up Black in Wine Country. Lee is presently forming a Board of Directors for his BIPOC Museum project to feature Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) that are underrepresented in other museums.

Guest Links:

Lee J. Pierce, A Rare Vintage book website:  www.ararevintage-leejpierce.com

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Our History Is Our Strength

Check out important dates to remember in Herstory at the National Women's History Alliance, where the date descriptions were sourced unless otherwise indicated.

Special thank you to the National Women’s History Alliance for making women’s history alive. Shout out to Co-Founder and Retiring Executive Director, Molly McGregor who will be on the show when we celebrate Women’s History Month in March for making the fabulous list of Women in History where I get most of the info I present in this Herstory segment.

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Announcements  

Monday, June 23, 2025 11 AM # repeats 11 PM PT, the show features the return of our guest Dr. Harriet Fraad on Lessons from the No Kings Day March. Radio KBBF 89.1 FM, North SF Bay or live streaming at https://kbbf.org/live  

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Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 10 AM PT, the show is a repeat of our show of 6/23/25 that features the return of our guest Dr. Harriet Fraad on Lessons from the No Kings Day March.  Radio KPCA 103.3 FM, Petaluma, CA. https://petalumacommunityaccess.org/kpca 

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Wednesdays, June 4 - 25, 2025, 6-7 PM PDT, Interactive Discussions on Living and Working in Community, Virtual Meeting. Online series guided by Starhawk and Charles Williams, a mixed format of presentation and group conversations.
June 4th: Self-Care
June 11th: Negotiation in Community
June 18th: Meeting Facilitation
June 25th: Dealing with Difficult People Click Here to register..

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Thursday, June 19, 2025, 12:30 - 1:30 PM Freedom Festival: Opening Conversation, Free Virtual event, RSVP: https://freedomfestivalusa.org/event/freedom-festival-opening-conversation-25/#rsvp-now  

Freedom Festival is from June 19th to July 4th every year, with discussion groups scheduled all year, see description and upcoming events at https://freedomfestivalusa.org/.  

Thursday, June 19, 2025, 7 9 PM, Juneteenth Table Reading Play written & directed by Enid Pickett, Hybrid event, In-person:New Vintage Church 3300 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA. Donations accepted, A Stage Play about love. Love of Family, Faith, and Freedom Three acts: 1865-1963-2025. A black family's journey of struggle and survival living in the USA. Experience this event in person or watch it streaming live. A second reading will occur on June 20th. Enid Picket is the Poet Laureate of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. RSVP for live or virtual event: https://freedomfestivalusa.org/event/juneteenth-table-reading-play-written-directed-by-enid-pickett/

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Ongoing:

Every Wednesday the Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County (PJCSC) issues new weekly list of events and links to community non-profit organizations. It includes ongoing peace and human rights rallies and protests, and those sponsored by the  Community United to Resist Fascism (CURF) of which PJCSC is a member : Website www.pjcsoco.org

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Every Sunday, Palestine Support Sunday, 2- 4 pm, Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA

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Every Thursday, Rally for Veterans Health Benefits, Protesting Potential Cuts to VA Funding, VA Center, 2285 Challenger Way, Santa Rosa, CA

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Take action every day - Calendar: https://indivisiblesoco.org/calendar/

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The North Bay Organizing Project - Rapid Response Project

https://www.northbayop.org/nbrrn

Music Selections

The Opening and Closing Theme song The Woman in Your Life is You is done with permission of the Composer and Singer Alix Dobkin ((August 16, 1940 – May 19, 2021) Alix Dobkin death was just announced - Thank you for all you did for Lesbians to be recognized and Women to be honored. May you rest in peace. See our Interview with Alix Dobkin on 12/1/2014 and our Memorial to Alix Dobkin on 5/24/2021

The Woman in Your Life is You by Alix Dobkin from the album Living with Lavender Jane (2010 Woen's Wax Works) - www.alixdobkin.com

Skin Deep sung by Buddy Guy with Playing for Change Artists across USA: Tom Morello, Billy Branch, Chicago Children’s Choir, and Roots Gospel Voices of Mississippi,  (Playing for Change channel: https://youtu.be/OtU9xCbVY6I?si=6ozXxVNTSTikRGSX ) (Universal Music Ltda.)

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For music purchasing opportunity, supporting the artists: