The first GOP debate is this evening, hosted by Fox News. To discuss, we FEATURE Jane Swift. Swift worked for 15 years in government, beginning her career as an aide to a state legislator. In 1991 she was elected to the Massachusetts Senate, becoming the youngest woman to serve in that body. In 1998, she was elected Lieutenant Governor and in 2001 she became Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She was Massachusetts’ first female Governor and the first Governor in the country to give birth (to twin girls) while serving in office. Swift continued to lend her assistance to political causes she holds dear, including the Republican Majority for Choice, the Republican Leadership Council, and Senator John McCain’s Presidential Campaign, for which she served as an education adviser. Media includes: Nightline, The Today Show, CNN, CBS.

Storeowner Laura Ann Carleton was fatally shot last Friday for displaying a Pride flag. The shooter, Travis Ikeguchi, had many anti-LGBTQ messages on social media. To discuss, we FEATURE Christina M. Finch. Finch is the head of the gender and security division at DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance. Previously she headed the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and served as the policy director for women’s human rights at Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) and as an adjunct law professor at George Mason University School of Law. She has also served as AIUSA’s interim managing director of government relations. At AIUSA, Finch focused on women’s and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights; economic, social and cultural rights; and multilateral issues. Prior to joining AIUSA in October 2009, she served as senior counsel to the Human Rights Campaign from 2005 to 2009 where she specialized in hate crimes, international issues and judicial nominations. Media includes: Associated Press, Bloomberg News, The Guardian, Reuters, CQ Global Researcher, Casper Star-Tribune, CNN, CBS.

The Ecuador presidential election will be heading to a run-off on Oct. 15 with leftist candidate Luisa González and political outsider Daniel Noboa competing against each other. To discuss, we FEATURE Erika Guevara-Rosas. Guevara-Rosas is a feminist lawyer and human rights activist, who currently serves as the Americas Director at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International. She is responsible for leading the organization’s human rights work across the region. Guevara-Rosas has more than twenty years of international experience in the fields of human rights and social justice philanthropy. Before joining Amnesty International, she was the Regional Director for the Americas at the Global Fund for Women (GFW). At GFW, Guevara-Rosas managed to secure and mobilize more than $15 million in support to women’s rights movements. She also served as Legal/Protection Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), managing complex operations in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Panama andVenezuela, mainly in border areas with war-affected populations. At UNHCR, she was actively involved in the formulation of policy and legal frameworks to protect the human rights of refugees during and after migration. Extensive media experience.

August is back-to-school season. To discuss, we FEATURE Lara S. Kaufmann. Kaufmann is Director of Public Policy for Girls Inc., where she leads the organization’s work to advance girls’ rights and opportunities and empower girls to advocate for social change. Prior to joining Girls Inc., Kaufmann was Senior Counsel and Director of Education Policy for At-Risk Students at the National Women’s Law Center, where she engaged in litigation, advocacy, and outreach to improve educational outcomes for at-risk girls and young women. Kaufman co-authored NWLC’s 2014 report with NAACP LDF entitled Unlocking Opportunity for African American Girls: A Call to Action for Education Equity, its 2012 report entitled A Pregnancy Test for Schools: The Impact of Education Laws on Pregnant and Parenting Students, and its 2009 report with MALDEF entitled Listening to Latinas: Barriers to High School Graduation. Media includes: Al Jazeera, The Nation, Politico, Huffington Post, Vice, ESPN, CNN.

August 26th is Women's Equality Day, which celebrates the 19th Amendment. To discuss, we FEATURE Christian F. Nunes. Nunes is president of the National Organization for Women (NOW). As the second African American president in the organization’s history, the youngest person of color and the youngest president in more than 40 years, she is leading the organization through an intersectional lens, bringing a diverse coalition of grassroots activists to work against structural sexism and racism. She is an active community organizer and public speaker, regularly featured at events such as the March for Black Women, Women’s March Events, and rallies around the country in support of the Equal Rights Amendment and immigration rights.  Along with her activism for mental health, Nunes has more than 20 years of experience advocating for children’s and women’s issues. Since assuming a leadership role at NOW, she has launched key initiatives such as the Unlock the Future campaign, which demands humane treatment for detained immigrant families, in particular women and girls seeking refuge from sexual violence, assault and poverty. She led the creation of a Bill of Rights for Immigrant Women and Girls, which has been signed by thousands of supporters and cosponsors. She is also spearheading racial equity training for all levels of the organization, including NOW’s grassroots membership. Media includes: Business Insider, PRISM, Politico, Huffington Post, Ebony, Black Enterprise, MSNBC.

August 28th is the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, which helped lead to the passing of the Civil Rights Act. Thousands are expected to gather Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial for a program followed by a march through the Nation’s Capital. To discuss, we FEATURE Janus Adams. Adams is the author of 11 nonfiction works, her book, Glory Days: 365 Inspired Moments in African American History, was licensed by McDonald’s; reaching more than 3 million readers. Engaged by history since childhood, a northern school desegregation pioneer at 8, she was one of the four children selected to break New York’s de facto segregation in the wake of Brown v. Board of Education. At 10, she was introduced to Dr. King. An entrepreneur, as founder of BackPaxKids (anti-racist children’s publishing) and Harambee (the first national book club for African American literature), she changed the publishing scene for authors and readers. Devoted to books, history, culture, and the right-to-read, she is curator of the “50 Books That Changed the Story of African America” list. Media includes: Essence and Ms. Magazines, The New York Times, Newsday, USA Today, The Washington Post, ABC, BET, CBS, CNN, Fox News.