© 2024
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
An update has been released for the Android version of the WAMC App that addresses performance issues. Please check the Google Play Store to download and update to the latest version.

51% Show #1299

Snob zones, animal testing, and making absinthe. This week on 51%, it's a special look back and a chance to say goodbye. 

It feels like this show has been part of my life forever, but the fact is it's only been about seven years. During that time, I've been lucky enough to speak with amazing guests discussing politics, the environment, the economy – actually, just about everything. Because every issue is a women's issue. And it's been an honor to feature the views of some fascinating women on a wide variety of important topics. But everything changes eventually. This week, because it's my last show as producer and host, I'd like to revisit some of my favorite interviews with you.

First, Lisa Prevost, author of the book Snob Zones. In it, she talks about communities in New England that have effectively created restricted towns through zoning and high real estate prices. But she says they're discovering being exclusive comes at a cost that isn't just about money.

Another issue that pits common sense against artificial constraints in animal testing. The EU banned the sale of cosmetics that are tested on animals this year, and India has now followed suit. And China, which requires animal testing for cosmetics, is dropping that requirement. There are proposals to ban animal testing in the US. Dr. PascalineClerc is Senior Director of Animal Research Issues for the Humane Society of the United States. If you want a reliable list of cruelty free products, go to LeapingBunny.org.

Coming up, an unexpected calling, and a woman who helped create a better workplace for thousands of co-workers.  

I first became aware of Cheryl Lins when I saw a bottle of her absinthe on a store shelf in a local wine shop. She creates hand-crafted absinthe, bourbon and rye in rural Delaware County NY and drives her product in her pickup truck to stores from upstate NY to NYC. The bottles practically fly off shelves. She used to work with computers, but her hobby took over her life.

Cheryl Lins is the owner of Delaware Phoenix Distillery in Walton, NY. 

Gilles Malkine approached me a few years ago and wanted to know if a man was allowed to be part of 51%. Since then, he's generously contributed more than fifty audio profiles of amazing women in history. You may not know that Gilles is the son of legendary folk singer and political activist Sonia Malkine. This week, he profiles a woman who was a friend of his mother – a woman who helped protect thousands of women workers.

Gilles Malkine is a writer, composer and actor. He lives in New York's Catskill mountains and I'm proud to call him my friend. Thank you for being part of 51%, Gilles.

That’s our show for this week.  Thank you so much for being part of it. Thanks, as always, to the indefatigable Katie Britton for production assistance.  Our theme music is Glow in the Dark by Kevin Bartlett. This show is a national production of Northeast Public Radio.  Our executive producer is Dr. Alan Chartock.

 I'd like to leave you with something Margaret Mead said:  Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.

Related Content
  • This week, the softer side of math and its impact on your healthcare. Plus more thoughts on moms.The treatments for cancer have been changing drastically…
  • The clothes you're wearing are still made by hand – hands often working in unsafe conditions for pennies. This week on 51%, bringing manufacturing back to…
  • What's happening in Africa? This week on 51%, A global outcry against the Nigerian kidnappings – going dry in Yemen and Somalia, the forgotten need in…
  • June is a celebration of pride. President Barack Obama this year joined in the recognition as he proclaimed June 2014 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and…