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Gaia project portland4/12/2023 ![]() In the past few years, Near has been busy re-releasing much of her early material. Holly’s unique personal perspective, which makes the subject matter leap out of the books and into the classroom, draws praise from college faculties around the country.Ī prolific writer and recording artist, Near has released 26 recordings of her own, including the seminal Imagine My Surprise, and performs as a guest on many others. Laughing, she says “I’m old enough now to be an expert!” Both as a participant and a leader, she bears personal witness to the hugely important role that music plays in political action movements. Often cited as one of the founders of the “women’s music” movement, Holly not only led the way for outspoken women into the music world, but also worked for peace and multicultural consciousness.Ī natural teacher, Holly presents master classes in performance craft and songwriting to a wide array of audiences. Near’s vision was to promote and produce music by politically conscious artists from around the world-a mission that Redwood Records fulfilled for nearly 20 years. Although unusual then, many artists now follow that path of independence. In 1972, Holly Near was one of the first women to create an independent record company. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, and Woody Guthrie. Near’s portrait hangs at The Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio along with those of other social change artists including Paul Robeson, Marion Anderson, Pete Seeger, Dr. Magazine (Woman of the Year), the Legends of Women’s Music Award, and Impact Fund Has received numerous awards including honors from the A.C.L.U., the National Lawyers Guild, the National Organization for Women, National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences, Ms. Met with Mohawk and European-American women to invite spiritual healing Bernice Johnson Reagon, Harry Belafonte, and Pete Seeger that focused on political song, responsible citizenship and the effect that protest music has had on public policy Participated in a two-day discussion with Dr. Sat witness to the testimony of women reporting rape and other violence against women in Toledo, OH Joined Eve Ensler, Jane Fonda, Sally Fields, Christine Lahti, and noted Mexican performers in Juarez, Mexico to protest the uninvestigated killing of hundreds of young women The villa, an infamous prison of torture and death, has been reclaimed by survivors and families and turned into a peace park. Invited to sing her song Hay Una Mujer Decaparecida at Villa Grimaldi in Santiago, Chile. Spoke to workers at Intel’s Albuquerque, NM facility about tolerance and diversityĭelivered the prestigious Ware Lecture for the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in 2005 Presented at the National Women’s History Project’s 2003 conference at Smith College ![]() One of the “1000 Women for Peace” nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 ![]() Some samples of her work in the last few years include: Near’s participation crosses over many cultures and countries. Near’s historic papers are housed at Radcliffe’s Schlesinger Library and are regarded as an informative look at the last 40 years of social change movements as experienced by a singer/songwriter/activist. Near chose to pursue her love of music, especially that music which articulated the social conditions of the world community. Torn between a career as an actor or a singer, Ms. Near’s professional career began with numerous performances in film and television, and a run in the Broadway production of Hair. She is a skilled performer and an outspoken ambassador for peace who brings to the stage an integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery, and theatricality.Īlthough she sang in public from the age of eight, Ms. An immense vocal talent, Near’s career as a singer has been defined by an unwillingness to separate her passion for music from her passion for human dignity. ![]() Holly Near is a unique combination of entertainer, teacher, and activist. ![]()
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