"Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida, Ronnie Gilbert and Holly Near

[marym625]

Last edited Sun Jun 7, 2015, 11:17 AM - Edit history (1)

I thought about the different places here to post this. But there is no more appropriate a group than here.

Ronnie Gilbert spent her life fighting for others. Whether it was in song or action, she gave greatly to this world. She fought against the powers that be suppressing women and minorities, for the LGBT community, which she was a part. She fought against war, for unions and for civil rights. She, and the rest of the Weavers, were labeled as communists by Joseph McCarthy during the witch hunt after WWII, causing them to lose contracts and play dates, yet they stayed true to their beliefs. She was a powerhouse.

Ronnie Gilbert's life ended yesterday, leaving one daughter and Ronnie's loving partner, her one time wife that the State of California decided wasn't a legal marriage. The wedding took place in the brief moment between when San Francisco legalized marriage equality and the horror when the State dissolved approximately 4000 marriages. Ronnie and the love of her life, Donna Korones, were married by the Mayor of San Francisco in 2004. But she died with Donna not having the benefits that come with marriage because the courts declared it illegal.

With her powerful, beautiful voice, intertwined with the gorgeous voice of Holly Near, they sang for the women that have disappeared in Central and South America. The person that posted this took the time to put the pictures of the missing women mentioned in the song.

"Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida, Ronnie Gilbert and Holly Near"

To Ms. Ronnie Gilbert Thank you

[mahina]

1. Thank you.

[marym625]

2. I wish everyone saw this side of Ronnie Gilbert

Unfortunately, most just know about the Weavers

[niyad]

11. some of us knew about her work with holly.

[marym625]

16. I have no doubt

But I think many didn't. Some didn't know about the black list or the fact she married her long time manager/partner. Which is a real shame

Hopefully, those people will see this or Judi's post and reasonable about the great woman and listen to the beautiful, haunting voice

[Omaha Steve]

3. K&R!

[marym625]

4. Thank you, Steve!

She was such an awesome woman

[Judi Lynn]

5. Amazing, unique voice, heroic courage in speaking out against the fascist regimes

which were unfortunately also supported by the U.S. in its determination to destroy all leftist resistance in the Western Hemisphere.

Rest in Peace, Ms. Gilbert.

Thank you, marym625.

[marym625]

6. Thank you, Judi

Yep. They often updated the song to include different women.

Absolutely, the US was behind so much of that. It's rather telling that almost every country mentioned was part of the US war on Latin American countries.

[Judi Lynn]

7. A Great Woman Has Died: The Passing of Ronnie Gilbert

June 08, 2015

A Great Woman Has Died

The Passing of Ronnie Gilbert

by DAVID MACARAY


Ronnie Gilbert, an original member of the legendary folk group, the Weavers, died on June 7 at the age of 88. While the prodigiously talented Pete Seeger was clearly the most recognizable member of the group (Fred Hellerman and Lee Hays were the other two members), it was Ronnie Gilbert who gave the Weavers their lyrical elegance.

While Gilbert could be as playful and whimsical as the rest of the gang, her contralto voice projected a haunting solemnity that stood out. Listen to her segment on the Weaver’s version of the great Leadbelly song, “Goodnight, Irene.” Her voice is so achingly “declarative,” it’s heartbreaking. Wonderful song, terrific singer. (Fun fact: Ken Kesey’s book, “Sometimes a Great Notion,” takes its title from a “Goodnight, Irene” lyric.)

The daughter of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, Gilbert was born and raised in New York City. Her mother was a seamstress (just as the iconic Mary “Mother Jones” Harris was) and labor union advocate, and her father was a factory worker. Gilbert once said that it was listening to the “subversive” lyrics of Paul Robeson on the radio, when she was a kid, that inspired her to become a folk singer.

Anyone conversant in Cold War history and its attendant “Red Scare,” is aware of what happened to the Weavers. Suspecting this folk group of being too “leftwing,” the merchants of hatred and fear, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, smeared them as “Communists” and had them blacklisted.

More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/06/08/the-passing-of-ronnie-gilbert/

[marym625]

8. Great article

Thank you, Judi.

It's amazing to me that anyone came through that witch hunt. I don't believe I would have had the strength to endure it.

[niyad]

12. would you please post this in gd or great reads so that we can rec it?

[niyad]

9. I am so glad you posted this here. Ronnie has always been one of my sheroes. please feel free

to post any of her videos that you would like.

requiescat in pace, ronnie.

[marym625]

13. Thank you. I am glad you like it she was a hero of mine as well

[niyad]

10. a pic

?w=620&h=349&crop=1

[marym625]

14. Just a beautiful picture of a beautiful woman

Thank you

[niyad]

15. you are most welcome.

did you see her in one of the specials peter, paul and mary did, with so many of the folkies?

[marym625]

18. I think I have seen everything she was ever in on TV

I grew up with the Weavers, The Kingston Trio, Pete Seeger solo, The Clancy Brothers, Woody Guthrie, Harry Belafonte, etc being played all the time in the house. Constantly. My parents were both professional singers at one point in their lives. Folk music was what they loved. Ronnie Gilbert was part of my growing up. Obviously, from a far. Unfortunately

[niyad]

19. what wonderful sounds for a childhood!! when I was checking just now, seems a great many of`

their performances are on youtube.

[marym625]

22. There's a ton if them out there

Yes it was wonderful. And I did actually meet the Kingston trio when I was 21. Slept with one of them

I have to go now. It's been a pleasure!

[niyad]

23. ohhhh, do tell!!

[marym625]

24. LOL!

Another time, perhaps. I have to go to bed. I can hardly see straight

[niyad]

25. sweet dreams.

[marym625]

26. Same to you. Thank you.

[niyad]

17. "wasn't that a time" --the 1981 reunion concert

[marym625]

20. Love that

This is another one I just love. Tickles me. And they're still political, as always

My Get Up and Go Has Got Up And Went

[niyad]

21. thank goodness for youtube.