Feminism

Joan Micklin Silver directed the upcoming HBO special "A Private Matter." It's the story of Sherri Chessen Finkbine, host of the children's T-V show Romper Room, and her decision to have an illegal abortion in 1962. Publicity about her choice led to intense public condemnation. In the HBO special, "Miss Sherri" is played by Sissy Spacek, and her husband is played by Aidan Quinn. Among Silver's other directing credits are several films, including "Crossing Delancey," and several HBO specials.

Robert Bly is one of the founders of the modern men's movement. He wrote the movement's most influential book, "Iron John." Terry asks him if the men's movement is in conflict with the women's movement. Robert Bly is also a poet, critic essayist and translator. (Bly's book "Iron John" is published by Vintage).

Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews "The Girls in the Balcony," by Nan Robertson about how women at "The New York Times," struggled for equality.

Feminist writer Deirdre English. She wrote a recent New York Times review of Gloria Steinem's new book "Revolution From Within: A Book of Self-Esteem." English is critical of Steinem's "quiet revolution of self-

Terry interviews Patricia Ireland, the new president of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Ireland talks about NOW's agenda, as well as her own.

Pennsylvania's abortion law places restrictions on a woman's ability to get an abortion. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to the law. Their ruling is expected to be an referendum by the court on the Roe versus Wade decision. On this edition of Fresh Air, we hear from both sides. Terry Gross talks with...
1) Kathryn Kolbert, the attorney who will be arguing against the Pennsylvania law before the high court, and

Feminist and writer Gloria Steinem. In her new book, "Revolution From Within," Steinem departs from her usual straightforward discussions about women and society, and she examines the link between personal self-esteem and outward issues such as feminism. (It's published by Little, Brown).

Film critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the new Disney animated film "Beauty and the Beast."

Comic book artist Diane Noomin. She's the editor of (and a contributor to) a new collection of underground comics drawn by women. It's called "Twisted Sisters." It's published by Penguin.

Journalist Susan FaludiI ("fah-lude-ee"). Her new book, "Backlash," looks at how the gains women made as a result of the feminist movement are being reversed and undermined. (It's published by Crown).

We get several views on this weekend's Clarence Thomas proceedings...
First, feminist and Time magazine essayist Barbara Ehrenreich (air-rike) gives her views.

Then Terry talks with Wall Street Journal reporter Michel McQueen about what African Americans think of the hearings.

Finally, we talk with Philadelphia's two editorial cartoonists: Tony Auth (rhymes with "broth") of the
Philadelphia Inquirer, and Signe Wilkinson of the Philadelphia Daily News.

Musician and conductor JoAnn Falletta. Falletta is conductor of the Bay Area Women's Philharmonic in San Francisco, which is dedicated to finding and playing music by women that was previously undiscovered or unrecorded. Falletta has a PhdD from Juilliard.

Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews "Sexual Personae," Camille Paglia's (pag-lee-ah) controversial analysis of the sexes.

Commentator Maureen Corrigan says she's just about had it with the recent spate of magazines offering the same old cliches about women.

Maureen Corrigan reviews the new movie, "V.I. Warshawski." It stars Kathleen Turner as a great looking babe who's also a tough nails private eye.

We talk with Jodi Jacobson, senior researcher at the World Watch Institute, and the author of a new report on the state of women's health around the world.

Athlete and journalist Mariah Burton Nelson. After the passage of Title IX, Nelson played women's basketball in college and in the Women's Pro Basketball League. Her new book, "Are We Winning Yet?" examines the state of women's sports in America today.

Commentator Maureen Corrigan discusses one aspect of married life that still causes controversy: a bride's decision whether or not to change her name.

Dr. Irving Rust's Planned Parenthood clinic in the South Bronx challenged a ban on federally funding family planning clinics giving information on abortion. The case went to the Supreme Court last week, and the court upheld the lower court decision. Terry talks with Dr. Rust about his work at the clinic and his experience going before the Supreme Court.

Bok is the author of several books on the ethics of lying and keeping secrets. Her newest is a memoir about her mother, the Nobel Prize-winning Alva Myrdal, who was called the most modern woman in the world.