Today we’re sharing never-before-released audio of a panel discussion recorded at 92nd Street Y in 1972, featuring Nora Ephron, novelist Elizabeth Janeway and poet Carolyn Kizer, with literary critic Helen Vendler as moderator. The discussion was titled: “Women Writers: Has Anything Changed?” 

“…still not nearly enough,” remarked Katie J.M. Baker, reporting on the recording for Jezebel. 

Ms. Ephron began the panel discussion by talking about some “sloppy statistics” she did on 50 book reviews in The New York Times between 1971 and 1972.

“There was 697 major reviews,” she noted. “And of that, 101 of those reviewed books by women. So that’s 14.5 percent.”

Explaining the same examination undertaken with the 1956 Book Review, she continued, “I went through 26 issues of it. Of 725 books that were reviewed, 107 were by women, which is 14.4 percent. So has anything changed? 0.1 percent, I don’t know.” 

We will miss Nora Ephron, friend and favorite of the 92Y community. She spoke here 15 times, often on women’s issues. Videos from some of those appearances can be seen on our YouTube channel. 

In an ongoing effort to share with our readers some of the great literary moments which the Unterberg Poetry Center of the 92nd Street Y has presented across the decades, we’ve begun to feature regular postings of archival recordings. For access to other recordings from the Poetry Center archive, please click here.

Nora Ephron on the Women’s Movement and Divorce

Today we’re remembering with gratitude the fifteen times Nora Ephron graced our stage. She talked here about filmmaking, writing, women, aging, politics, AIDS, the differences between men and women and much more, bringing her distinctive wit and perception to issues that frequently vex and trouble us. She first came here forty years ago as part of a panel discussion on women writers and made her last appearance this past fall, as part of an Andy Borowitz event celebrating his book on America’s Funniest Writers. We’re sharing another clip from an event we posted earlier where she talks about the women’s movement of the early 1970s and the huge impact of divorce becoming a viable option for women. As always, she combines sensitivity and insight with humor. We’ll miss her voice.

Rebecca Traister talks with Nora Ephron about Politics, Life and the Future of Women

Nora Ephron joined Rebecca Traister at 92nd Street Y on June 9 for discussion moderated by Allison Stewart about politics, life and the future of women.

In the highlights seen above, the women discussed Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and what has changed for women in American politics.

Starting the discussion around the well-known phrase, “well-behaved women rarely make history,” Traister said she’s “developed a kind of rugged admiration for Sarah Palin, despite the fact that I disagree with every word that comes out of her mouth.”

Stewart followed up with a poignant question: “Why haven’t more women gotten involved in political office?” Watch the highlights above to hear discussion on that topic and more, including Stewart reading from Nora Ephron’s latest book, I Remember Nothing.

And what’s your answer to Stewart’s question: “Why haven’t more women gotten involved in political office?”

Coming up on June 23 at 92Y: Eva Gabrielsson in Conversation with Gloria Steinem. Tickets are available here.

[92Y Lectures & Conversations]