She Spoke Too: Amplifying Voices of Change with Manuela Bernardi and Kathy MacMillan

On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Christopher Robbins, co-founder of Familius Publishing, husband, father of nine, author, fisherman, backpacker, and aspirational musician based in the Central Valley of California, talks to Manuela Bernardi and Kathy MacMillan.  

Manuela is an author and screenwriter from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has contributed to award-winning films and written for various TV channels, including TV Global, TBS, The History Channel, and Amazon Prime Video. Kathy MacMillan, a writer and nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter based in Baltimore, MD, is known for her picture books, children's nonfiction, and young adult fantasy novels. They will discuss their books, "She Spoke" and "She Spoke Too," highlighting the stories of 28 remarkable women who raised their voices and changed the world.

 

Episode Highlights:

• 03:29: Kathy shares the origin of the project, initiated by David Miles at Families Press, and the unique concept of combining a nonfiction picture book with an audio panel featuring the voices of women.
• 05:10: Manuela discusses the modification of the book's title to emphasize the challenges women face in being heard, changing it to "She Spoke: Supporting Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World."
• 06:53: The duo discusses the evolution of the project and introduces the upcoming release, "She Spoke Too," featuring 28 inspiring women.
• 06:57: Christopher appreciates the diverse representation of women in the books, spanning artists, professional athletes, environmentalists, scientists, and social changers.
• 07:18: Manuela expresses her admiration for Shirley Chisholm, a woman she initially knew little about. Manuela details Chisholm's ground breaking run for president, where she garnered 10% of the votes in the primaries, breaking barriers for black women in politics. Chisholm's fiery spirit and her famous quote, "When they don't give you a place at the table, bring your chair," resonate with Manuela.
• 09:43: Kathy reflects on Patsy Takemoto Mink's role in the second book, "She Spoke Too," and her significant contributions, including being a driving force behind Title IX. Kathy emphasizes Mink's lifelong commitment to fighting for equality, from her high school days to her impactful career in Congress.
• 11:12: Manuela interjects, emphasizing that Shirley Chisholm and Patsy Takemoto Mink inspired them to include a crucial question in the book: Why do women do what they do? They point out that not all actions are driven solely by the desire to win; often, women strive for change and empowerment, even without securing victory.
• 14:57: Christopher highlights the powerful aspect of the books—being able to hear a 20 to 30-second clip of these women sharing inspiring words that moved nations, influenced laws, and made a positive impact on the world. He then asks for examples of more visible figures included in the books.
• 15:27: Kathy mentions well-known figures such as Malala Yousafzai, Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Kamala Harris, Linda Ardern, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Greta Thunberg, and Dr. Mae Jemison. Manuela adds Maria Ressa, a journalist from the Philippines who recently won a Nobel Prize for fighting against misinformation.
• 16:51: Manuela shares her enjoyment in learning that many of these women, while intellectual and outspoken, embrace their feminine side without shame. She highlights examples like Mae Jemison's passion for dance and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's love for fashion.
• 18:42: Manuela mentions Leymah Gbowee from the first book, who used community and organization to bring women together to pray and stop a war. The importance of having a community and organization to amplify one's voice is emphasized in the book's prologue.
• 19:41: Kathy expresses the hope that the voices of these women become as familiar as those of well-known men. She shares the joy of seeing children reciting the clips and hopes the books appeal not only to the intended age range but to a broader audience, including younger children and older individuals.
• 22:29: Kathy mentions the "Your Turn to Speak Up" section with discussion questions designed for reflection. She is proud of these questions, as they encourage readers of all ages to relate the women's stories to their own experiences and consider their reactions in similar situations.
• 23:34: Christopher addresses the issue of women not being heard in patriarchal societies and asks what men can do to better appreciate women's contributions. Kathy suggests men should listen more, emphasizing that women's voices should be as familiar as men's.
• 26:20: Manuela emphasizes the importance of men recognizing women's experiences as valuable for their own enrichment and knowledge. She adds that men should see women as complete individuals and recognize their value beyond a relationship context.

 

Key Points:

1. Kathy and Manuela discuss the inspiration behind their books, "She Spoke" and "She Spoke Too," emphasizing the diverse backgrounds of the 28 women featured, spanning various fields, from politics to science.
2. The authors express their hope that the books will empower both girls and boys, encouraging them to speak out and make positive changes.
3. Kathy and Manuela suggest that men should listen more attentively, recognize women as complete individuals, and strive to understand and appreciate their experiences beyond predefined roles.

 

Tweetable Quotes:

• "Discover the hidden stories of extraordinary women, from astronauts to activists, in 'She Spoke' and 'She Spoke Too.’ Let their stories shape a more inclusive narrative.”
• "Empowerment knows no gender. Kathy and Manuela encourage all, young and old, to listen, learn, and amplify diverse voices.”
• "In the symphony of life, let's amplify the voices of women, as loud and clear as the familiar tunes. These books make history resonate for every generation.”

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Helping Families Be Happy Podcast Apple
• https://www.instagram.com/just.add.glitter/
• Podcast Editing
• https://kathymacmillan.com/
• https://brlab.com.br/en/participante/manuela-bernardi/