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Lady Presidential Candidates

In celebration of International Women’s Day, artist Christy Gast narrates the lives and words of the first ten women to run for President of the United States. The roster includes everyone from eccentric Victoria Woodhull, a clairvoyant who advocated for free love in 1872, to Margaret Wright, who represented the Peace and Freedom Party in 1976. Representing both major parties and a slew of independent ones, these women passed important legislation and opened the doors for women in politics. Leading to the important question, will we ever see a woman in the White House?

Lady_Presidents.mp3

Christy Gast is an artist who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Her project, Limited Edition Ladies Presidential Candidates Collectible Plates can be seen at the City Reliquary Museum in Brooklyn, NY.

Charlene Mitchell ran for president in 1968, nominated by the Communist Party. Born in 1930, she’s a part of the civil rights movement since she was thirteen. I spoke to her for over an hour, the following edited interview is only a glimpse into her remarkable life and views.

Charlene_Mitchell.mp3

Produced for WBAI by Amber Cortes.