FEST Speaker Series
Women's FEST 2024 Speaker Series
Attending Women's FEST this year? You'll be happy to know the Speakers Series is back and we have three terrific speakers coming: Artist Liz Bradbury, Actress Mary Goggin and Author Lynn Ames, all speaking in the Elkins-Archibald Atrium at CAMP Rehoboth on Friday and Saturday. Save room to see them and enjoy their talks. All Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.
Liz Bradbury - More Queer Women Who Changed the World
Friday, Apr. 26, 12:30 - 2 PM
Liz Bradbury
Liz Bradbury, is a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ activist, a prize winning artist and author, and a long-time Queer art and history expert. Bradbury, who has a BFA and an MFA in fine art and art history, has created and delivered over 30 different popular and well attended “Art and History From a Queer Perspective” comedy shows at a variety of venues.
Meanwhile, Bradbury has been advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ people professionally for more than 40 years. As a D.E.B.I presenter, speaker, and trainer she has presented to over 300 organizations (more than 17,000 people) on LGBTQ issues. Her LGBT Civil Rights efforts include the passage of 15 LGBTQ+ non-discrimination laws in Pennsylvania.
She is the CEO of DEI Associates an LGBTQ+ trainings company, and is the Chair of the Board of Keystone Equality — Pennsylvania’s Statewide LGBTQ+ Political Organization.
She likes to do comedy best though!
Presentation Description
Comic Art Historian Liz Bradbury is back by popular demand with a hilarious all new, “More Queer Women Who Changed the World” comedy history show. The 1st Black woman pilot, the woman who won us marriage equality, the inventor who keeps us safe, the author of the YA book you loved! You’ll find Liz’s special brand of laugh out loud humor both engaging and empowering.
Mary Goggin - RUNAWAY PRINCESS, A HOPEFUL TALE OF HEROIN, HOOKING AND HAPPINESS
Saturday, Apr. 27, 10 AM
Mary Goggin
Mary Goggin is a New York based actor born to Irish emigrants, raised in the Bronx and sent away to convent schools in both Dublin and West Cork. Ms. Goggin’s Irish Catholic experiences drove her further down a path of sexual repression and self-hate, eventually finding strength and redemption.
A professional union actor for 23 years, Mary has since appeared in numerous stage productions, television series, films and commercials.
Her favorite recent roles include “Ella O’Neill” (wife of Eugene O’Neill) in Ann Hansen’s Road to Babylon in the Broadway Bound Festival. She has enjoyed being directed by Cyndy Marion in numerous Tennessee works including Cavalier for Ma’Lady, Clothes For A Summer Hotel, and A Perfect Analysis Given by a Parrot. Mary appeared in PB & J for the NY Fringe Festival and Born to be Blue, a winner in the Samuel French Festival. Her favorite TV roles include spots in “Broad City,” “Law and Order,” “Guiding Light,” “The Grind” (Amazon). Favorite film roles include “Little Children,” “MAD,” “The Trouble with Bliss,” “Gasoline,” “Bronx Paradise.” Mary is the recent winner of the Best Actress Award at The Freeway Film Festival for her role in “Reservations,” a film by Jeannine Flynn, directed by Neal Hemphill.
To date, Mary’s most important work is the writing and performing of the award winning, RUNAWAY PRINCESS, A HOPEFUL TALE OF HEROIN, HOOKING AND HAPPINESS. It is why she was born. To destigmatize addiction and all that goes with it. To drive home the utmost importance of normalizing emotions and to show, not tell our connection, our humanity. Mary Goggin is available for all work.
Presentation Description
Runaway Princess is a profound exploration of human trafficking, drug addiction, alcoholism, and the journey to self-discovery. Through a captivating performance, our mission extends beyond entertainment – it’s a dedicated effort to raise awareness and inspire positive change within our community.
By unraveling the harsh realities of human trafficking and delving into the complexities of addiction, the event aims to educate and foster empathy. We seek to empower the community with valuable insights, resources, and support networks, encouraging active participation in resolving these societal challenges.
Runaway Princess is not just a performance; it’s an invitation to join us in creating a more informed, compassionate, and collectively engaged community. Your presence and support contribute to the transformative impact we aspire to make on the lives of those affected by these pressing issues.
Lynn Ames - Out At the Plate: The Dot Wilkinson Story
Saturday, Apr. 27, 1 PM
Lynn Ames
Lynn Ames has penned sixteen genre bestsellers. Her biography of the greatest catcher ever to play women’s softball, Out at the Plate: The Dot Wilkinson Story, was released by Chicago Review Press in October 2023. She is a six-time Goldie Award winner, winner of the Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award, a two-time Lammy Award finalist, a Foreword Indies Book of the Year finalist, and a Writers’ Digest Self-Publishing Award finalist. Her thriller, The Value of Valor, received the 2007 Arizona Book Award from the Arizona Book Publishing Association.
Out at the Plate: The Dot Wilkinson Story
It’s not simply that Dot Wilkinson was one of the most decorated women’s softball players, bowlers, and athletes of all time and one of the original players from the three-time-world-champion PBSW Phoenix Ramblers softball team (1933–1965). Nor was it the length of her time here on Earth—over a century—although any of these things by itself would be impressive.
The magic of Dot’s story is in the details. It’s the tale of a childhood spent in poverty, an indomitable, unbreakable spirit, a determination to be the very best to play whatever sport she undertook, the independence to live her personal life on her own terms, and her tremendous success at all of it.
Over more than a decade of countless conversations and interviews, Dot shared all of it with her dear friend, author Lynn Ames. Dot held nothing back. Out at the Plate, told through the lens of Dot and Lynn’s friendship, is the story of a forgotten era in women’s history and sports, and one extraordinary woman’s place at the center of it all.
“Dot Wilkinson is the greatest female catcher ever to play softball. A bold, pioneering athlete, she refused to let others define her and instead defined herself. Her story is an inspiration to people everywhere.” —Billie Jean King, Sports Icon and Champion for Equality
For accessibility needs, please contact Hope@phoenixaccessibilityteam.com.