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2024
Elise Hart Kipness
Best-selling Author, Light’s Out and Dangerous Play
“I’ve always felt the best way to reach people is through communication. To combat polarization in society, I believe we need to have frank conversations, with an emphasis not just on speaking but listening.”
In your opinion, what qualities make a “Power Woman”?
I think a power woman is one who promotes and contributes to women’s causes while also setting an example for other women. I like to think I contribute in a few ways. First, as an author, I try to expose gender imbalances through my stories. I am also president of Sisters in Crime Connecticut, which is part of the national organization, Sisters in Crime–an advocacy group founded to promote and support female crime fiction authors. My work there is focused on uplifting and supporting female authors.
The polarized society in the US today seems to threaten our democratic values if not our
democracy itself. What actions can we take to bring the various factions together?
democracy itself. What actions can we take to bring the various factions together?
As an author and reporter, I’ve always felt the best way to reach people is through communication. To combat polarization in society, I believe we need to have frank conversations, with an emphasis not just on speaking but listening.
With all the different issues one could focus on (e.g. gun violence, child poverty etc.), is
the pursuit of gender equality the most pressing in today’s world?
the pursuit of gender equality the most pressing in today’s world?
Who better to multi-task than women? I think we are capable of addressing multiple serious issues at a time, including gender inequality.
What do you think is the number one action we as a society can take toward en-powering
women and gender equality? (e.g. affirmative action)?
women and gender equality? (e.g. affirmative action)?
We need to create a consensus that gender equality should be part of our country’s moral character.
Can you tell us a short story in which you encountered a block due to your gender?
It wasn’t always easy to be one of the few female sports reporters covering professional athletes, as you can imagine. There were a few instances in particular that stick out in my brain. I remember one time in the locker room when an athlete refused to speak with me, making it clear that he wouldn’t do the interview because I was a woman. I tried not to let the way people treated me hold me back and, in that instance, found a more interesting athlete to speak with.
Do you think that asking previous salary requirements in job interviews contributes to the pay gap between women and men? Should we push for a nationwide ban?
Pay inequality is still a significant problem for women. I am heartened by the fact that more women are standing up for themselves. One great example is the 2019 US Women’s Soccer National Team which sued the United States soccer federation for gender discrimination.
There are many studies that support the assertion that a female presence in the board
room increases the bottom line and leads to healthier work environments. What can we do to continue to support and enhance the growth to and presence of women in high profile positions?
room increases the bottom line and leads to healthier work environments. What can we do to continue to support and enhance the growth to and presence of women in high profile positions?
We need to keep fighting and keep pushing. Our generation has come a long way from our mothers. And I’m always proud to encounter young, bright women who seem so much more confident and emboldened than I ever was.
Was there a defining moment or experience in your life that led you to where you are today? What was it?
As a woman I always felt grateful to be part of the game and nervous to ask for too much. A defining moment for me came when I was a freelancer at Fox Sports Network and, with great trepidation, I asked my boss for a full time contract. And got it.
Have you seen changes in the political landscape for women over the past few years? If so, what are they?
I’m pleased to see women in all fields making progress. Specifically, within my field of crime fiction, there’s been a great change in the landscape for women. In fact, female crime fiction authors represent a much larger number than they did just a few decades ago.
Is “education” one of the top three responsibilities of a civilized society? If so, why is it prohibitively expensive?
I come from a family of educators and was raised to appreciate how deeply important education is. My hope is that one day, everyone will be able to get the education they seek without cost being a factor.
If you could have someone else’s job for a day, who and what would it be? Why?
If I could have someone’s job for a day, I’d like to be a member of the women’s national soccer team–assuming I could also have their talent for the day. They are incredibly impressive athletes and also role models for women and girls. One of the great things about being a fiction writer is that you can imagine yourself as any character, that’s why Kate Green, from my newest thriller, DANGEROUS PLAY, is a soccer gold medalist.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
When we are young, we’re always told to be ourselves. I think that’s wonderful advice, but I also think it takes decades to determine who we really are. So I’d say be yourself but also give yourself time to discover who that is.
What is your favorite book (fiction or nonfiction)?
I have a lot of books I love, but I’d say Gillian Flynn’s GONE GIRL stands out for two reasons. First, it’s an incredible book. Second, it marked a change for female crime fiction authors. GONE GIRL pushed the boundaries of the ‘expected’ model of mysteries and thrillers, opening up great opportunities for female authors to explore gritty characters, unreliable narrators and devious domestic settings.
What do you most value in your friends?
There’s a great line in “Drops of Jupiter” by the band Train that says: “Your best friend sticking up for you even when I know you’re wrong.” That’s what I think about—unconditional support. But, I’d add, that a best friend should also tell you when you’re wrong. Just in private.
Which trait do you most uncomfortable in yourself? In others?
I’ve worked really hard to control my self-doubt and feelings of imposter syndrome, but that trait still sometimes rears its ugly head. As far as other people, I don’t like when people are phony.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Number of followers on Instagram, lol! But, seriously, I think judging someone by how they appear on social media is a troubling trend these days. Dangerous to both the person presenting themselves because value should come from within. And dangerous to those seeing ultimate value through that type of lens.
