Have You Met Her?

Today's amazing woman was known by many names... "the First Lady of Physics," "Queen of Nuclear Research," and even "the Chinese Madame Curie." Hopefully, after listening to an overview of her life and some of the contributions that she made to science, you'll remember her actual name forever. Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu was a passionate student, a patient researcher, and a confident advocate for women in...

Marva Collins loved to play "school" as a child...but only if she got to be the teacher. After 14 years of frustration working as a full-time substitute teacher in the Chicago Public School System, she decided to start her own school. What Marva created was a space where children who were burdened with negative labels (black, poor, learning disabled, behavioral issues, stupid, incapable) were able...

Hannah Breece was a teacher and principal in her small hometown for decades… but then decided that she wanted to combine her love of teaching with her adventurous spirit. She was selected by the US Department of the Interior to go to Alaska and teach the children there. Join me to hear a little bit about her adventures, as we celebrate women educators this month.

Hear about India’s favorite teacher… a woman who went from illiterate child bride to respected social equality warrior. Savitribai lived a life of service with a full heart and a endless amount of drive, focus and hard work. She reminds us how important it is to challenge oppressive social norms.

Mary McLeod Bethune was a change maker. She was a visionary. She was a bringer-together of people. She advised Presidents and multiple monuments to her contributions exist. But before all of that, Mary was passionate about educating those who society saw no need to educate: poor, black girls. With less money than I find in pockets on laundry day, her drive, passion and perseverance, Mary created a...

When Miss Bancroft became a teacher her goal was to change the lives of her students. She was drawn to the students who were struggling, who needed extra patience, a different style of learning, and a solid, safe relationship to thrive.

If your Grandma told you that she was heading out on a walk… would you ever imagine that she meant that she was attempting to hike the entire Appalachian Trail?? Learn about the “accidental activist” who inspired others to explore hiking trails in their own back yards…. And be inspired to hear that this wasn’t even the hardest challenge that she survived.

We’re gonna need a bigger boat… JAWS-style, to set out with our amazing woman this week! Eugenie loved all things ocean - especially sharks. Learn about how this funny, passionate, whip-smart woman turned a childhood passion into a celebrated career. She knew that if we loved the ocean and all it’s creatures we would be more likely to fight to keep it safe and clean.

Calling all tree huggers!! Have you ever marveled at all the benefits that trees have? Wangari not only grew up appreciating a special tree in her community, she also saw the devastating consequences of having all the trees removed. Learn a little bit about this strong woman and her Green Belt Movement in today’s episode. To learn more about the Green Belt Movement, visit http://www.greenbeltmovem...

Harriet Hemenway was a proper lady who enjoyed the finer things in life. Then she read an article about the Feather Industry and decided that sometimes it was okay to shake things up. Visit the Audubon Society at https://www.audubon.org/frontpage. Don’t forget to visit our Instagram @haveyoumetherpodcast to participate in our giveaway this month!!

Jeanne Manford was a quiet schoolteacher and a mother. She lived a quiet life…. Until her son Morty, a gay activist, was victim of an attack. Then, she did what very few mothers at the time had the courage to do: she publicly and completely loved and accepted him. If you’d like to join PFLAG, or check out their many resources, their website is here: https://pflag.org/

What is the best tool against shame? PRIDE of course! Brenda Howard is known as the “Mother of Pride” because she helped organize the events (that we still celebrate every year) to remind the LGBTQIA+ community AND the public that Gay Rights matter and that visibility is vital to any community. For more information about bisexuality, please visit https://bi.org/en or https://biresource.org/.

The Gay Rights Movement needed the jumpstart that LGTBQIA+ people on the fringe provided. Marsha and Sylvia were two of many gender non-conforming people who provided that push. Although they were not given the resources or recognition - by society OR the movement - to achieve their full potential as revolutionary leaders, we have to marvel at their power of resistance and resilience. CW: This epi...

Celebrate PRIDE month with me as I research & share about women who were important contributors to the LGTBQIA+ Movement and Community. Have you heard of the Daughters of Bilitis? If you haven't, it's at least partly because you weren't supposed to know about them. They were the first organized group for lesbian women. While their viewpoints are certainly outdated by today's standards, every movem...

When Maggie Kuhn was forced to retire at the age of 65, she was given a sewing machine as a gift. She never opened the box... she was too busy! Maggie dedicated her life to working with women to support marginalized groups... people of color, working women, and children. And then she found herself included in the marginalized group of old people. She responded with a loud proclamation that the eld...

Wilma Mankiller is honored and recognized as the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation... the first woman to be elected as chief of any major Native tribe. She spent her remarkable life fighting for the rights of American Indians. I really loved learning about Wilma... I read three books and watched a documentary AND a feature film. Please visit us on Instagram @haveyoumetherpodcast...

Since this month we are talking about women advocates, I wanted to include a woman who played an important part in the Civil Rights Movement. After considering several women, I came across Septima Clark's name and knew that I'd found someone who I needed to learn more about. Septima didn't make powerful speeches. She wasn't in the photographs that document important parts of Civil Rights history....

Join me to learn about Mary "Mother" Jones and her advocacy work for worker's rights. We're going to focus *mostly* on the March of the Mill Children and how this plucky woman pushed to raise awareness about the dangers of child labor. When Mother Jones knew that something was wrong, NOTHING stood in her way. Visit our Instagram @haveyoumetherpodcast to see a couple of pictures of Mother Jones and...

Judith Heumann changed the world person-by-person. By connecting on a human level. She was a born leader who didn't let her fear keep her from changing the world for people all over the globe: those whose only limitations were those imposed by a society that didn't appreciate the potential of the differently abled, and those who were blissfully unaware of those limitations before. Visit Judith Heu...

Sarojini Naidu was an amazing woman with a gift of expressive descriptions in her vivid poetry. She had a passion and drive to help free her beloved India and, despite her physical limitations, the strength and courage to back it up. I hope that learning a little about her life inspires you to be a contributing force to the changes that you see are needed in this crazy world of ours. Visit our Ins...

Join me to hear part of Phillis Wheatley's story of how she became the first black woman poet to be published in America. Her story weaves interestingly with the American Revolution and there will be MANY familiar names. Please visit our Instagram @haveyoumetherpodcast to see a drawing of Phillis and get a peek at some of the resources I used in researching her. Don't forget to rate and review......

Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz challenged the assumption that women were "beneath" men in New Spain in the 1600s. Her writings were controversial and ahead of their time. After learning a little bit about her life, it'll become clear why many people consider her the New World's first feminist. Please find us on Instagram @haveyoumetherpodcast to see pictures of Sor Juana and a peek at the resources use...

Before Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Dante or even Homer, there was Enheduanna. The Princess, priestess and poet that was the first person to write personal, first-person works. Not a lot is known, but I couldn't NOT include her in this series celebrating Women Writers. It's a shorter episode this week for this amazing woman, but hopefully still packed with new, interesting information tha...

You may not know Sister Rosetta Tharpe by name (YET!) but you have definitely rocked out to music that wouldn't be around if not for her influence. She was a talented, passionate musician... and it was so fun to learn more about her. I couldn't possibly have fit all of her accomplishments or interesting stories in this episode, but hopefully this episode inspires you in some way. Please find us on...

Fannie Lou Hamer was an incredible example of a woman who risked everything for what she knew was right. She was such an incredible woman to research, but I couldn't possibly have fit all of her accomplishments or interesting stories in this episode, but hopefully this episode inspires you in some way. Please find us on Instagram @haveyoumetherpodcast to see the resources that I used in researchin...