New Paltz’s Resisterhood Community Choir Blends Music and Activism

A new report on the gender pay gap from New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli shows that women in New York earn 87 cents on the dollar compared to men in 2023. This new data comes amidst ongoing federal cuts affecting women. In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders including cutting the federal funding of abortion and eliminating all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in government.

Locally, people are stepping into action. One group in Ulster County is using song to share their vision for social change. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar chatted with Michele Zipp, founder of Resisterhood Community Choir, on how she’s blending music and activism to honor women.