Boss Like Belle

It’s 1914: Belle da Costa Greene pens a moving letter to Eleanor Elkins Widener, still grieving the loss of her son—Harvard graduate and passionate bibliophile Harry Elkins Widener—who perished on the Titanic . This tragedy would inspire the creation of the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library at Harvard. Today, Anne-Marie is asked to lead a bold new public engagement initiative at Widener Librar...

Ever wondered about the stories hidden behind the walls of Harvard’s iconic Widener Library? In this special bonus episode, I take you inside Widener on my very first day as Director of the Public Engagement Project. Joining me is Peter Accardo, a true walking encyclopedia of Harvard history and Curator of the Harry Elkins Widener Collection. We explore the building’s fascinating origin story, its...

It’s 1938: Belle stands on the brink of becoming a fellow of the Medieval Academy of America amidst stiff competition from male Ivy League professors. Inspired by her appointment, Anne-Marie Eze embraces her identity as a medievalist. She speaks with Lisa Fagin Davis, Executive Director of the Medieval Academy of America, and Nahir Otaño Gracia of the Medievalists of Color, uncovering the collabor...

It's 1912: Belle makes headlines for challenging traditional gender roles through her high-profile career and bold fashion choices. Over a century later, Anne-Marie Eze draws inspiration from Belle's stereotype-defying leadership. Exploring Belle's strategic personal branding, she connects with Angela Pitter, a digital marketing expert, and hair stylist Deidre Stubbs to reinvent her pr...

Isn't it amazing how my co-host, @Rachael Lowell Ellison, interprets Belle's leadership style through a modern lens, making it practical and applicable for you? In this engaging bonus episode, I switch things up by interviewing Rachael, delving into her journey as an executive coach and leadership expert. We explore her innovative SHIFT framework and the art of self-regulation, both essential for...

It's 1944: Belle co-founds the Hroswitha Club, a society for women bibliophiles, in response to exclusion from the men-only Grolier Club. Inspired by Belle’s vision, Anne-Marie seeks out Black women library directors, speaking with Rhonda Evans and Petrina Jackson, who lead the libraries at the New York Botanical Garden and Harvard Radcliffe Institute. Together, they explore themes of influence, c...

Do you love the theme music for the Boss Like Belle podcast? You're in for a treat!   Dive into the full version of the rap, "The Ballad of Belle da Costa Greene," and discover the fascinating origin story behind its creation. Join us for an exclusive conversation with emcee Big Piph and your host, Anne-Marie Eze. Learn about the inspiration, thoughts, and artistic process that went into crafting...

It's 1937: Belle defies the Nazi regime by attempting to rescue Otto Homburger, an art historian labeled "non-Aryan" because of his Jewish ancestry. Today, Anne-Marie reconnects with Binalakshmi Nepram, a women’s rights and disarmament activist exiled from India, whom she hosted at Harvard through the Scholars at Risk Program—a global organization inspired by Belle’s fearless actions. Together the...

It's 1921: Belle becomes a mother at 41, as does Anne-Marie a century later. Both embrace late parenthood after assuming children weren’t in their future. Inspired by Belle, Anne-Marie learns to boss like a mom. Reconnecting with her "fertility fairy godmother" Rosanne Austin, she explores how the Fearlessly Fertile Method has empowered many ambitious career women to carve their own paths to mothe...

It's 1934: Belle advocates fiercely for “the best men (women!)” at Baltimore’s Walters Art Gallery, ensuring her protégé Dorothy Miner earns a higher salary than her male peers. Jump to today, Anne-Marie feels inspired by Belle’s bold advocacy and pledges to champion rising librarians and curators of color. Join Anne-Marie as she visits the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to reconnect with her pro...

Meet Belle and Anne-Marie, two Black librarians born a century apart and with a lot in common despite living in very different times. When Anne-Marie is struggling with imposter syndrome after being promoted in her job at Harvard Library, she challenges herself to boss like the legendary Belle to boost her confidence.  Executive coach and leadership expert Rachael Lowell Ellison joins her on this...

Dive into Boss Like Belle, a podcast that blends history and personal growth through the stories of Belle da Costa Greene and Anne-Marie Eze. Belle, a Black woman who passed as white, becoming a cultural trailblazer in J. Pierpont Morgan's library. Her legacy empowers Anne-Marie, a Black librarian at Harvard, to lead boldly. Join Anne-Marie, leadership expert Rachael Lowell Ellison, and guests to...