Our City, Our Lives

Our City, Our Lives was a WBAI program produced by Jerry Hatch with the tag line “Women working in their own communities to better their lives and the life of their community.” Also hosted by Rosemarie Reed and Elaine Baly, the show was centered on urban life, social justice, and access to resources for women, particularly within marginalized communities. Through interviews, discussions, and listener call-ins, the program addressed issues such as housing, domestic violence, incarceration, and economic inequality, connecting audiences directly with grassroots organizations and support networks.

One focus of the show was the intersection of race, gender, and power. Conversations critically examined harmful social narratives, such as stereotypes about Black women and the dynamics of sexism within political movements, while highlighting the realities of community organizing and lived experience. The program consistently emphasized the gap between dominant cultural myths and the structural challenges faced by women in their daily lives.

Our City, Our Lives functioned as both an educational platform and a resource hub, reflecting the Women’s Department’s broader commitment to public service, advocacy, and community engagement.

Rosemarie Reed was a WBAI station manager until 1983 before shifting into documentary filmmaking. She was also an adjunct professor at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and City University of New York.