For any society to evolve, for any people to be free, before reality on the ground can be changed, the truth needs to be told. My book and the open mike movement is about women sharing women's truths. It is showing what real women's and girls' lives look like, what are our struggles and what are our triumphs. And getting back to your question of what gives me strength, well, it is just that: hearing these stories gives me strength.

- Many of the people in our audience are female artists (musicians, writers, etc.). Any words of inspiration for them? And also what do you think males might get out of this book?"

Words of inspiration for *them*? No, they inspire *me*! Mostly I just want to say that I recognize that it is not easy being an artist — at least not in the U.S., where I live. I am not sure what country your website visitors are from, but in the U.S. artists don't get a lot of respect or money for their work. Unless you are a big name, of course, then you get loads of dough.

But for the rest of us, if you are in the music, visual arts or writing industries, if you are an artist of any kind, you are likely waiting on tables or cleaning houses as a way to pay for food and rent. In reality, they/we are working two jobs and only getting paid for one. I have heard that in other countries artists get more respect and thus more money, without needing to be a big name. I just wish we could go back to the old days when artists had patrons, some wealthy, generous person who sponsors you and your art work.

Any way, that is what *I* desperately need. So any potential patrons reading this interview are welcome to contact me at rivka@thattakesovaries.org. :-)

What do I think men might get out of this book and our open mike movement? Well, men love the whole concept of That Takes Ovaries! They "get it" as soon as they hear it, and they love it. The men I know who have come to the open mikes really enjoy it. Men have been standing up at our events, just like the women, and they proudly brag about the ovaries in their lives — like last week one guy in his early 30's just went on and on about how wonderful his younger sister is. At the same event even the bookstore manager stood up and told us how important his favorite teacher was in his life — a woman (and a feminist at that!).

- What project(s) are you currently working on?

I'm working on organizing the open mikes, book readings and the play. Mostly, with other women, I am organizing the open mikes in communities throughout the U.S., India and hopefully soon China. Also the book has recently been adapted into a play for the stage. We have a four week run of the Ovaries! play in Washington DC in March 2003 with Horizons Theatre(www.horizonstheatre.org), the longest running women's theatre in the U.S. Very exciting stuff. Each Friday night we will hold an open mike after the play's performance.