Velvet Sledgehammer

Velvet Sledgehammer emerged in the 1970s as a dynamic and experimental women’s “magazine of the air” on WBAI-FM, designed to amplify the range and complexity of lesbian and feminist experiences. Conceived and hosted by Judy Pasternak, alongside the WBAI Women’s Department, the program aimed to challenge prevailing stereotypes and fill critical gaps in media representation. Rather than focus narrowly on any single issue, Velvet Sledgehammer explored the rich tapestry of women’s lives, broadcasting poetry readings, interviews with activists and writers, analyses of cultural and political events, and commentary on sexuality, gender, and intersectional justice.

Donna Allegra (Simms) (1953-2020) was a Black lesbian multifaceted creator. A writer, poet, dancer, electrician, radio producer, and activist, her early life in Brooklyn shaped her identity and activism. Reading lesbian pulp fiction as a girl led her into feminist, lesbian, and working-class literatures and she studied dramatic literature, theatre history and film at Bennington and Hunter Colleges, earning a B.A. at New York University in 1977. Allegra’s radio work at WBAI is a key part of her legacy. While at WBAI (~1975–1981) she hosted and produced both The Lesbian Show and The Velvet Sledgehammer, two key feminist and lesbian-cultural programs. Her episodes foregrounded Black lesbian voices, feminist media critique, and cultural literatures of resistance. Her papers are housed at the Schomburg Center (Sc MG 792) and provide a rich resource for LGBTQ+, Black, feminist, radio and working-class culture research.

Judith Pasternak is a radio station host who helped organize a department of women’s programming in 1977 alongside lesbian and feminist programming for almost 10 years. Programming including talk shows and interviews, documentaries and radio drama. 

Pasternak’s role was central to the program’s identity. As a producer and host, she worked collaboratively with other members of the WBAI Women’s Department to curate an innovative mix of content that would resonate with a diverse audience. Under her guidance, Velvet Sledgehammer became a platform that validated lesbian voices, celebrated women’s artistry, and encouraged the exchange of ideas among feminists of varied backgrounds and perspectives.