Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Red Circle | Spotify | YouTube
Carol Jenkins: Empowering Women and Fighting Inequality
Welcome to Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy, a podcast that explores stories of life and leadership from extraordinary women and men who are making a difference and shaping a better world. Each episode features powerful conversations filled with personal stories, insights, and advice to inspire listeners to break barriers and unlock new opportunities.
The fight for equality takes center stage in this inspiring episode, featuring Emmy-winning journalist, author, and activist Carol Jenkins. This conversation explores her remarkable advocacy for women’s and children’s rights, her key role in the Equal Rights Amendment movement, and her enduring media career amplifying marginalized voices. Through her rich personal history and impactful work, Carol reminds us of our collective power to create meaningful change. Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app today!
Show Notes:
In this episode, journalist and activist Carol Jenkins shares her inspiring story of growing up on her family farm in Alabama and becoming a champion for equality. Carol discusses her influential career in media and her dedication to women’s and children’s rights, including her pivotal work with the Equal Rights Amendment. She highlights the ongoing fight to address numerous systemic challenges – like child poverty and unequal opportunities. Through a call for collective action, Carol emphasizes the power of unity and resilience in driving social change and empowering future generations.
About Carol:
Carol Jenkins is an Emmy-winning journalist, author, and tireless activist for equality. With a groundbreaking 25-year career as a leading anchor at WNBC-TV, she pivoted to championing women’s and children’s rights. As former President and CEO of the ERA Coalition/Fund for Women’s Equality, Carol spearheaded efforts to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, testifying before Congress on the impacts of poverty on women and children. She also co-founded The Invisible Americans Podcast to shed light on the 13 million U.S. children living in poverty.
As the founding president of The Women’s Media Center, Carol oversaw training 500 women leaders now shaping Congress, business, and nonprofits. Currently hosting Black America on CUNY TV, she has produced award-winning documentaries and co-authored Black Titan, the biography of her uncle, A.G. Gaston. A dedicated philanthropist, Carol works with Amref Health Africa to improve health and sanitation across Africa.
Episode Timestamp:
[00:02:26] Dr. Nancy welcomes Carol and begins the conversation, reviewing Carol’s many contributions to social change.
[00:03:43] Carol shares her inspiring story of growing up on a Lowndes County, Alabama farm. She reflects on her grandfather’s legacy of sending nine daughters to college, which deeply influenced her work and values.
[00:06:35] Carol and Dr. Nancy discuss her family’s rich history in civil rights, including her uncle’s role in the movement and the significance of the AG Gaston Motel as a headquarters for Martin Luther King Jr.
[00:08:25] Dr. Nancy points out the importance of Carol’s service to history, recounting her shift from news anchor to activist, including her leadership at the ERA Coalition and her efforts to revive the movement for constitutional gender equality.
[00:10:25] Carol describes her 10-year history working on the ERA, the hurdles faced, and her strategies to unite nearly 300 organizations and 80 million people in support of the cause.
[00:14:35] Carol explains how the new administration opposes the ERA and ways that states need to focus on policies to protect women’s rights.
[00:17:08] Carol highlights her work with The Invisible Americans Podcast, which amplifies awareness of the 13 million children in the U.S. living in poverty where she shares stories of women and families who are victimized by systemic challenges.
[00:22:17] Dr. Nancy and Carol discuss the importance of women’s voices in media. Carol reflects on her role as founding president of The Women’s Media Center and its success in training 500 women leaders through the Progressive Women’s Voices program and Take the Lead’s 50 Women in Media and Entertainment.
[00:29:34] Dr. Nancy Highlights the role of younger generations, and Carol shares her optimism about their bold activism in movements like the ERA. She underscores the need to continue creating platforms for their voices.
[00:33:14] Carol emphasizes the resilience of equality movements and the significance of collective efforts in driving systemic cultural change, expressing the need to create platforms for billions of voices to contradict the misinformation spread by others.
[00:34:45] Carol encourages listeners to support the ERA Coalition and other initiatives promoting gender equality and addressing child poverty. Dr. Nancy and Carol conclude with a call to action for creating social change that supports everyone’s ability to pursue their best lives.
[00:36:00] The conversation wraps up with gratitude and motivation to continue the work for equality and justice. Listeners are invited to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.