New York Times Best-Selling Author, Educator, Feminist, Activist & Mama
Kate Schatz is a New York Times best-selling author, educator, feminist, activist, and mama. Odds are you’ve seen her books, Rad American Women A-Z, Rad Women Worldwide, and Rad Girls Can either at the bookstore, online, or perhaps on your own bookshelf. Her writing has appeared in LENNY, Buzzfeed, Signature, and the East Bay Express. She is the co-founder of Solidarity Sundays, a nationwide network of activist groups focused on engaging with politicians to work towards peace, equality, and justice. Her new book, Rad American History A-Z is due out in the spring.
Kate and her family have lived on the west end of Alameda since 2013.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Alameda with kids?
We love to go to Crab Cove, visit the Crab Cove Visitor’s Center, and ride our bikes around there.
What drew you to Alameda?
Jason (my husband) and I were living in Oakland and started exploring Alameda, spending days here and there getting acquainted with it. It’s funny, but I always used to get lost when trying to drive to Alameda! When it came time to sell our Oakland house, we were looking at Berkeley and Alameda. When my agent brought me to see a home in Alameda – my home now – it was in the middle of a weekday. The street was quiet, and I liked the neighborhood. But, when I came back for the open house on the weekend, I saw how amazing it really was. Neighbors were sitting outside, waving and saying hello. I loved the energy of the neighborhood and knew it was special. I knew it would be a great place to raise our kids.
Tell me about your neighborhood.
live in the 300 block of Haight, and we call ourselves the “Haighters.” We are the only block that has a float in the Alameda 4th of July Parade. In fact, our float won the Mayor’s award this year! Everyone knows everyone, and is really social. There are about 25 kids and teens in the neighborhood. We have a lot of group activities…Halloween and Easter are big for us, we go camping for Memorial Day, and our May Block Party is amazing. The street is closed because Encinal High has their percussion band competition here, so we have a big street party with music, kegs, etc. On any given Saturday, neighbors have porch parties. We even have a Google group. On my birthday, my husband and about 20 of our neighbors surprised me by singing happy birthday for me at 7am.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Alameda, sans kids?
My favorite thing is to run on the beach. I always have to remind myself how close we live to the water. I also enjoy East End for pizza and cocktails, and exploring the old base.
What, if anything, has surprised you about Alameda?
It’s weirder and cooler than I originally thought it was. I thought it was going to feel more suburban. It’s diverse and quirky, and I love it.
Elizabeth Warren is in town for a night to hang out with you. Where do you take her?
First, I think I’d take her to Books, Inc. so that she could sign her books. Then, we’d go to the Alameda Library so she could do storytime for kids. I’d have to take her to Burma Superstar for Tea Leaf Salad and Samosa Soup. We’d probably pop into Lucky 13 for some skeeball and beer. Then we’d hop on bikes and ride along the beach to the west end. We’d go to one of my CrossFit classes at Bladium, or if it was a Tuesday night, we’d go to Sativa’s spin class. Then we’d end up at Hangar 1. At the end of the night, I’d say goodnight and put her on a ferry to San Francisco.
Thanks for the chat, Kate!
You can read more about Kate on her website and in this Oakland Magazine article.
