She Changed History

Recorded July 2024 (One of our first ever episodes!)  Althea Gibson: A champion against the odds  In this episode, hosts Simon and Vicky dive into the inspiring life and career of Althea Gibson, the first Black woman to win a Grand Slam tennis tournament. They explore her challenging upbringing in a sharecropping family, her move to Harlem, and the various obstacles she overcame due to segregation...

The Remarkable Reign of Queen Zenobia: Defying Rome and Commanding an Empire Got a story? Emails us at shechangedhistory@gmail.com Other episodes mentioned today: Ching Shih and Empress Matilda In this episode of 'She Changed History,' we dive into the extraordinary story of Queen Zenobia of Palmyra, who lived nearly 2000 years ago. Zenobia challenged the might of the Roman Empire, expanding her t...

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson: Pioneering Doctor and Women's Rights Advocate Got a story? Emailed shechangedhistory@gmail.com In this episode, we delve into the life and achievements of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first woman to qualify as a doctor in the UK. Despite the societal and institutional barriers of the Victorian era, Anderson's determination and intellect allowed her to pave the way fo...

Victoria Woodhull: The Unstoppable Force Got a story? Email shechangedhistory@gmail.com In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Victoria Woodhull, who transitioned from a poverty-stricken childhood to become a pioneer in finance, journalism, and women's rights. We explore her journey from being a fortune teller to the first female Wall Street tycoon, her radical beliefs in free lo...

Jane Addams: Trailblazer for Social Reform Got a story? Email shechangedhistory@gmail.com In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Simon and Vicky explore the life and lasting impact of Jane Addams, one of the most influential figures in American social reform. Born in 1860, Addams was a pioneer in social work, founding the Hull House in Chicago to support immigrants and the working class w...

The Champagne Lady: How Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Revolutionized an Industry Got a story? Email shechangedhistory@gmail.com In this episode, Vicky and Simon dive into the remarkable story of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, also known as the 'Champagne Lady.' Amid personal loss and political turmoil in the early 1800s, Barbe-Nicole took over her late husband’s failing wine business and transformed it into a g...

Unveiling Strength: From Hyperemesis Gravidarum to Giselle Pelicot's Fight for Justice Trigger warnings: Baby loss, medical neglect and sexual violence In this episode, the hosts tackle two intense stories centered on women's health and resilience. First, they highlight the work of Marlena Fejzo, an American geneticist who dedicated her research to understanding Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) after h...

Celebrating Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo: A Pioneering Woman of 2024 In this episode of 'SheChangedHistory,' Vicky speaks from her mom's spare bedroom, sharing an inspiring story despite her co-host Simon's absence due to illness. Vicky highlights Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mexico's first female president and former climate scientist, as a remarkable woman of 2024. The episode delves into Claudia's upbri...

The Unstoppable Empress Matilda: Chains, Castles, and Courage In this episode of 'She Changed History,' the hosts delve into the story of Empress Matilda, an inspiring historical figure who fought valiantly for her rightful place on the English throne. Despite living in a time dominated by men, Matilda's perseverance, strategic mind, and leadership qualities led her to challenge King Stephen in a...

The Remarkable Journey of Lise Meitner In this episode of 'She Changed History', hosts Vicky and Simon delve into the extraordinary life of Austrian physicist Lise Meitner. From her early years in Vienna and her groundbreaking scientific contributions to her dramatic escape from Nazi Germany, the episode highlights Meitner's perseverance in the face of adversity. The discussion covers her signific...

The Night Witches: Soviet Women's Bravery in WWII In this episode of She Changed History, Simon and Vicky explore the remarkable story of the Night Witches, an all-female Soviet bomber regiment during World War II. The episode details the challenges these women faced, from ill-fitting uniforms to outdated equipment, and showcases their unmatched bravery and resilience. It highlights key figures li...

Unveiling Nellie Bly: Pioneering Investigative Journalism and Defying Societal Norms In this episode, Vicky and Simon recount the extraordinary life and achievements of Nellie Bly, a pioneering investigative journalist of the 19th century. Starting with an angry letter in response to a misogynistic article, Bly's career quickly escalated as she tackled social injustices and corruption. She famousl...

Ella Hattan: The Queen of the Sword In this episode of 'She Changed History,' Simon and Vicky delve into the life of Ellen Hatton, better known as the Jaguarina. Born in 1859 in Ohio, Ella Hatton broke gender barriers to become a celebrated 19th-century swordswoman and duelist. Trained by the progressive Colonel Thomas Monstery, she excelled in multiple forms of combat, eventually becoming an unde...

The Nightingale of India: Sarojini Naidu's Fight for Freedom and Equality In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Simon and Vicky discuss the inspiring life of Sarojini Naidu, known as the Nightingale of India. Sarojini was a poet, politician, campaigner, and a key leader in the Indian independence movement and universal suffrage. The conversation begins with Simon and Vicky's personal ban...

The Untold Heroism of Alice Milliat: Trailblazer for Women in Sports Join Simon and Vicky in this riveting episode of Wonder Women, as they delve into the inspirational yet unsung story of Alice Josephine Marie Milliat. Born in 1884 in Nantes, France, Alice faced personal tragedies but found solace in sports, especially after moving to England. Despite resistance from the male-dominated sports wor...

Irena Sendler: The Unsung Heroine Who Saved 2,500 Jewish Children In this episode of 'She Changed History,' Vicky and Simon explore the extraordinary story of Irina Sendler, a Polish social worker who saved over 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto during WWII. With sources including a Jack Mayer article and a podcast episode, the hosts recount how a school project in rural Kansas led to t...

Ada Lovelace: The Visionary Who Birthed the Digital Age In this episode of 'She Changed History,' Simon and Vicky discuss the life and legacy of Ada Lovelace, a 19th-century mathematician and visionary. They delve into her background as the daughter of poet Lord Byron, her intellectual pursuits in mathematics and logic, and her revolutionary collaboration with Charles Babbage, the inventor of the...

The Remarkable Bessie Blount: Unsung Inventor and Advocate In this episode of 'She Changed History,' Simon and Vicky delve into the life of Bessie Blount, an extraordinary woman little known but with significant contributions. Bessie’s story, spanning from Virginia, USA, to Scotland Yard, is one of defiance, determination, and ingenuity. Born in 1914, Bessie overcame significant racial and educati...

Ching Shih: The Pirate Queen Who Ruled the Seas | She Changed History In this episode of 'She Changed History,' Vicky and Simon explore the incredible story of Ching Shih, the Pirate Queen who defied expectations and ruled the seas in the early 1800s. From her beginnings in a floating brothel to commanding a fleet of thousands, Ching Shih's story is one of ambition, intelligence, and sheer determi...

She Changed History launches Tuesday 19th November 2024! Each week we delve into the incredible stories of women who have been written out of history. We uncover what truly happened and how these inspirational women changed our lives.