Reactions to our
Tribute to Mama

MAMA'S BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE
A Year After Her Death, 1999

Aired on KPFA
Produced by Mary Moore and Janice Leber

Update: We have since produced a tribute program to Mama every year, complete with listener call-ins. We will be adding audio clips of Mama to the Free Press web site on a regular basis, so make sure to come back if you want to hear more!

Dear Mary,

Thank you for the great tribute to Mama O'Shea. I would love a tape about what happened to her with KPFA. Of all the changes made back then I could never understand why she was let go. I feel badly that I never wrote to her and told her what a crime I thought it was. I am sure it broke her heart and rocked her foundation to be treated so poorly by KPFA, the one supposed "homebase" in the world.

Well, she is at peace now, no longer in any physical, spiritual or mental pain.

I really did love her show. She often would say things P.C. women especially would never say about men - in public.

Thanks for bringing her alive again - even if it was for just a little while.

Gail Blasie, Winters

Dear Mary,

Thank you for your efforts in bringing us the show on Mama O'Shea. I too have been a long time listener to Mama's show as well as KPFA since 1972. I heard you offer a tape of Mama's cruel removal to one caller and I hope you can extend the offer to me. I heard Mama's last show and it felt like my heart was getting ripped out along with KPFA's heart. It sure would be nice to know more of what happened.

Harry Sitam San Francisco

Mary, Hi:

Just spoke with you. Thank you so much for replacing my tape on Mama - and thanks again for creating such a beautiful tribute.

Peace, Jayne Thomas, Richmond

Hello Mary,

I heard the program today on KPFA. It helped to fill out my knowledge of Mama and the people she attracted and cared about.

Please send me the information (tapes? writings?) you mentioned to the listener named Tom who said he'd liked hearing Mama and wondered how and why she vanished from KPFA.

Sincerely, Glenn Rice, Davis

Dear Mary,

Thank you! Thank you! Needless to say it was heartwarming and a reliving of memorable moments via radio to hear Mama O'Shea's voice again...We tried calling in, but alas it was impossible to get through. A few things we wanted to say: Mama was a fine person and personality. The top of the top. No one else like her. We applaud Doug Dowds comments--as Mama would often do herself, i.e. "speak truth to power". We think KPFA should, at the very least, have an annual tribute to her on this day -- her day. We left voice mail messages on KPFA's comments line to this effect.

One funny, among many, memories--when Mama would come on following Will Nofke's show and say something about 'those heavy breathers'. A most delightful, enchanting, loving and much loved and much missed woman. The high point of radio never to be again.

Please run the tapes on KPFA if you ever can -- somehow. We truly appreciated your efforts and your honoring her in this way.

Respectfully, Kiki Iwata and Greg Kaszniak, San Francisco

Hello Mary,

Thanks so much for your and Barry's show on Mama O'Shea. I taped it off the air to share with friends. It was so good to hear her voice again. Having listened to her show for 8 or 9 years, I can say I loved her from afar. I was moved to tears several times remembering Mama's deep compassion for homeless people and for those who disagreed with her. I loved her brilliant and earthy wit and wisdom as well as her courage and generosity.

Like Doug Dowd, I still feel badly about the way Mama was treated by KPFA. I've written to the station several times and have stopped donating money.

Anyway, you mentioned an audio tape you would make available to Mama's fans about the circumstances of her forced retirement.

Leavenworth Jackson, Berkeley

Dear Mary,

You were in a difficult position yesterday when callers were angry or puzzled about Mama's suden departure. I thought you handled it well. However, I would have milked the sympathy issue more than you did in terms of the really sacrificial way she carried on against great odds just getting to the station to volunteer. Also, how hard it was at the end without a phone at Laguna Honda at first, etc. It really was a sad ending, though apparently she kept her fighting spirit. On second thought, Mama probably wouldn't have wanted people to know what it was like for her at Laguna Honda . . .

Love, Woody Schwartz, Sebastopol

Mary:

Thanks so much for your tribute to Mama O'Shea. I loved her too. Good to hear Doug Dowd's voice.

That whole wipe-out of the Old Guard at KPFA was so shameful. I listen and still subscribe because it is the only game in town around here. Perhaps I would anyway (listen at least), but I sure cut down on my donation ...

Good to hear from Janice Lieber too and know she is doing well. We won't see the likes of Mama again.

Lloyd Dennis, Lodi

Dear Mary:

Thank you so much for the tribute to Mama. I can't believe I tuned in--serendipitiously--and caught the daytime program. I also relistened in the evening. It was so touching and inspirational. I have longed for a way to bring closure to my "airwave" relationship with her. She influenced me greatly. I have her obituary hanging over my bed so I don't forget "the journey" we're on.

I didn't quite get the details of tapes you said you'd make but I've enclosed $5 and some postage stamps in case one is available. I'm sure you've received lots of inquiries. Again many thanks to you and Barry and others who helped create Mama's birthday tribute.

Suzanne Brinton, San Carlos

Dear Mary:

Thank you for your program last night honoring Mama on her birthday and anniversary of her passing. I like to think of her "up there" blowing horn and raising ruckus.

Delia Moon, Occidental