She Changed History

Celebrating Women Inventors: Pioneers of Change In this episode, we delve into the remarkable contributions of women inventors who revolutionized the world. From Mary Anderson’s windshield wiper and Josephine Cochran’s dishwasher to the unnoticed yet impactful paper coffee filter by Melitta Bentz, we highlight how these innovations transformed daily life. The episode also touches on the wider soci...

Who was Elizabeth Fry? This episode dives into the life and legacy of Elizabeth Fry, a pioneering Quaker who transformed prison conditions in the 19th century. The narrative begins with Elizabeth's discovery of horrendous prison conditions at Newgate Prison. She implemented groundbreaking reforms, including appointing female officers for women prisoners, introducing craft activities, and providing...

Maryam Mirzakhani: The Trailblazing Mathematician This episode of 'She Changed History' delves into the life and legacy of Maryam Mirzakhani, an extraordinary Iranian mathematician and the first woman to win the basically the math olympics. Discussing her journey from a childhood during the Iran-Iraq war to her groundbreaking work in hyperbolic geometry, the episode highlights her resilience, opti...

Edith Cowan: A Life of Unyielding Advocacy and Public Service In this episode, the hosts discuss the life of Edith Cowan, a notable figure in Australian history. Born in 1861, Cowan faced immense personal tragedies early in life, including the loss of her mother and witnessing the aftermath of her father's drunken violence. Despite these adversities, she went on to have a profound impact on public...

Games of Thrones, China's only female Emperor  In this episode of 'She Changed History,' Cara and Vicky go behind the curtain and delve into the remarkable life and legacy of Empress Wu, the only female emperor in Chinese history. They explore her determined rise to power during the Tang Dynasty, navigating a complex patriarchal society, and the controversial and often dark rumours surrounding her...

Mary Anning Facts and Fossils This episode of 'She Changed History' delves into the remarkable life of Mary Anning, a pioneering palaeontologist from the early 19th century. Now often in kids’ books and on the BBC, Mary made groundbreaking fossil discoveries on the Jurassic Coastline in Dorset England, including the first complete ichthyosaur and plesiosaur skeletons, and the first pterosaur skele...

The Daring Life of Texas Guinan: Bootlegger, Entertainer, and Hollywood Star In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Vicky and Cara dive into the adventurous life of Mary Louise Cecilia 'Texas' Guinan. 1920s America, Prohibition and fashion! Born in Waco, Texas, Guinan pursued her dreams of entertainment from a young age, transitioning from a vaudeville performer to a Hollywood star and ni...

The Untold Story of Betsy Cadwaladr: A Trailblazing Woman in History Please note the sound quality takes a little hit throughout the guest speakers but the story is still incredible! This episode dives deep into the life of Betsy Cadwaladr, an adventurous Welsh woman whose captivating life story was brought to the stage by the Her Story Theatre Company. Founders Adele Corder and Claire Drewitt dis...

Nona Gaprindashvili: The Chess Prodigy Who Fought Back In this episode, the host discusses Nona Gaprindashvili vs Netflix, a Georgian chess prodigy who rose to prominence in the 1950s. Known for her aggressive playing style, she broke gender barriers by competing and winning against both women and men in the international chess arena. The episode covers her early influences, rigorous training unde...

In this update, Vicky announces a change in the release schedule for the 'She Changed History' podcast. Going forward, episodes will be released fortnightly to ensure high-quality storytelling about remarkable women whose stories are not widely known. The team is dedicated to delivering inspiring and exciting content that goes beyond mere recitation of facts, aiming to uplift and provide listeners...

Exploring African History with Luke Pepera In this episode, Cara and Vicky welcome guest Luke Pepera, a Ghanaian-born, Oxford-educated historian and author of African History book 'Motherland.' Luke discusses his journey into African history and mythology, African American history, sharing insights about influential female figures and the rich oral traditions of the continent. The conversation hig...

Exploring the World's First Known Author: Enheduanna In this episode of 'She Change History,' hosts Cara and Vicky delve into the remarkable life and contributions of Enheduanna, the world's first known named author and poet. An ancient Taylor Swift if you will! Set against the backdrop of ancient Mesopotamia, they explore Enheduanna's role as a high priestess, her pioneering use of written langua...

The Defiant Poet: Qiu Jin's Revolutionary Journey In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Vicki and Kara delve into the life of Qiu Jin, a trailblazing Chinese feminist, poet, and revolutionary who defied societal expectations in the late Qing Dynasty. From her unhappy arranged marriage and struggles with foot-binding, Qiu Jin's fierce determination led her to Japan, where she embraced new...

Octavia Butler: Visionary of Afrofuturism and Perseverance This episode explores the life and legacy of Octavia Butler, an influential science fiction author renowned for her role in pioneering Afrofuturism. Raised in poverty and facing numerous challenges, including dyslexia, Butler's journey is one of remarkable self-belief, dedication, and groundbreaking vision. The hosts delve into her early i...

Catherine the Great (and her Mum!) - more than just a scandal In this episode of 'She Changed History,' the hosts delve into the fascinating life of Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia. Dispel the myths and rumours surrounding her, and discover the remarkable achievements and challenges Catherine faced during her reign. Learn about her early life, her tumultuous marriage to Peter III, her a...

Mary Two-Axe Earley: A woman of flint This episode of 'She Changed History' delves into the life of Mary Two-Axe Earley, who fought against the discriminative laws of the Indian Act in Canada. How a shreddies grandma can change the world. Mary, born in 1911, faced the harsh reality of losing her rights and status upon marrying a non-indigenous man, a result of oppressive legislation that affected...

bell hooks: Challenging Society In this episode, the hosts discuss the life and impact of Gloria Jean Watkins, famously known as Bell Hooks. They explore where is bell hooks from, who bell hooks is, her early life in segregated Kentucky, her academic journey, and her groundbreaking work on intersectionality, feminism, and social critique. Hooks’ prolific writing and influential theories, especiall...

Exploring Artemisia Gentileschi: A Tale of Resilience and Artistic Mastery In this episode of 'She Changed History,' the hosts discuss the inspiring story of Artemisia Gentileschi, a pioneering Baroque painter from 16th century Italy. Born into a family of artists, Artemisia overcame personal trauma and societal challenges to make a significant impact in the art world. The episode delves into her...

Grace O'Malley: The Pirate Queen of Ireland In this lively episode, the hosts delve into the fascinating life of Grace O'Malley, also known as Gráinne Ní Mháille or the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Born in 1530, Grace defied the social norms of her time to become an accomplished mariner, fearless leader, and shrewd political tactician. The episode explores her early life, her rebellious spirit, her en...

Queen Amanirenas: The Fierce Leader Who Resisted Rome In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Vicky and Simon delve into the story of Queen Amanirenas, an iconic ruler from the Kingdom of Kush in ancient Africa. They explore her remarkable resistance against the Roman Empire under Augustus, detailing her leadership, strategic prowess, and the societal and historical context of her reign. T...

The Unveiling of Judith Leyster: A Forgotten Dutch Master In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Cara and Vicky delve into the overlooked story of Judith Leyster, a remarkable female painter from the Dutch Golden Age.  Despite her significant contributions to art, Judith was nearly erased from history due to a combination of gender bias and fraudulent attribution of her work to more famou...

The Intriguing Legacy of Dr. James Barry: Medicine, Identity, and History This episode introduces the compelling story of Dr. James Barry, a pioneering medical professional in British history whose gender identity remains a topic of speculation. Born Margaret Ann Bulkley in 1795 in Cork, Ireland, Barry pursued a successful medical career by presenting as a man, despite women being barred from such...

Caroline Norton's Battle: Reforming Women’s Rights in Victorian England In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Cara and Vicky dive into the life and relentless struggle of Caroline Norton, a Victorian-era woman whose tragic marital circumstances led her to become a pivotal figure in legal reforms for women's rights in England. The episode discusses Norton's unfortunate marriage with Georg...

She Changed History Live: Celebrating Revolutionary Women In this special live episode recorded at the Open University's International Women's Day celebrations, hosts Vicki and Simon of the 'She Changed History' podcast present two inspiring stories of women who have shaped history. Vicki shares the extraordinary life of Savitribai Phule, an Indian social reformer who championed education for lowe...

The Untold Story of Geraldine 'Jerrie' Cobb: Pioneering Female Aviator and Space Advocate This episode of 'She Changed History' dives into the remarkable life of Geraldine 'Jerrie' Cobb, an extraordinary American aviator who paved the way for women in aviation and space exploration. Cobb's story is one of unrelenting determination and self-belief. Despite passing all the physical and psychological...