Herstory

We're getting royal over here and covering Ladies in Waiting. Shelby discusses the scandal behind the British aristocrat and lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria's mother, Lacy Flora Hastings. Amy tells the salacious story of Catherine Dolgorukova, a Russian aristocrat, mistress to the Czar, and his wife's lady-in-waing.   

Take 10 steps, turn around, and press play on this episode about women who settled disputes with a duel! Amy covers two exciting stories: a pistol duel between Marquise de Nesle and Comtesse de Polignac and an old fashioned sword duel between Miss Shelby (not the co-host!) and Madame Marie-Rose Astie de Valsayre. Shelby explains the lifestyle of Julie d'Aubigny, a bisexual, cross-dressing swordswo...

Do you ever fantasize about owning a plot of land and growing your own food? Well, these women did it! This week, we cover homesteaders. Amy eductaes us on Annie Morgan, who was born enslaved but fled and headed west to make it on her own. Shelby discusses Fannie Quigley, an American pioneer, prospector, and cook who became involved in mining operations during the Klondike Gold Rush.

They're the sanctuary during a storm, and they save lives! Today, we talk about female lighthouse keepers, and these women do not disappoint. Amy covers the brave lady with an adorable name, Grace Darling. Shelby discusses Ida Lewis, who started saving lives at sea at a very young age. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day! This episode, we decided to shake things up. Instead of covering two cool ladies, we covered five! Ireland deserves it! Sit back and take a listen while Shelby and Amy give the abbreviated 411 on Peg Plunkett, Sarah Curran, Countess Markievicz, Margaretta Eagar, and The White Lady of Kinsale. Luck of the Irish to you all.    

Being a muse has its ups and downs, as you will come to find out. Shelby covers Lou Andreas-Salomé, one of the most prolific women writers in Germany at the turn of the century, as well as a muse for many men she encountered. Amy educates us on Camille Claudel, a French sculptor known for her figurative works in bronze and marble and a sordid relationship with an older man.

These women don't care who they con, and we're here for it. Welcome to our episode on grifters. Shelby discusses Cassie Chadwick, who defrauded several American banks out of millions of dollars during the late 1800s and early 1900s by claiming to be an illegitimate daughter and heiress of industrialist Andrew Carnagie. Amy covers Linda Hazzard - the "Starvation Doctor" who was a swidler and convic...

Time to get inked. Today, we explore female tattoo artists. Shelby (tattoo-free) covers Whang-od, a tattoo artist from the village of Buscalan who is often described as the "last" and oldest tattoo artist in her indenginous community. Amy (4 tattoos - and counting) tells us about the first prominent female tattoo artist in the UK, Jessie Knight. 

There has been a family emergency within Herstory Headquarters. Unfotunatly, we do not have a shiny new episode for you, but Shelby does provide an explanation, gives some love to Kendrick Lamar, and has a recommendation. Thank you for understanding. 

Some women are born to break hearts, and we're covering two of them this Valentine's Day week. First, Amy tells us about the fascinating Irish Spanish dancer Lola Montez. Shelby discusses the controversial existential philosopher and feminist writer Simone de Beauvoir.

Break out the stemware because today, we're talking about female winemakers. Amy covers the woman behind the champagne Veuve Clicquot, Madame Clicquot Ponsardin. Shelby talks about the French-born Italian winemaker and philanthropist Juliette Colbert Falletti de Barolo. Chin-chin!

SAddle up, Herstorians. Today, we're covering lady country music artists. Amy gives us the 411 on Tennessee native Dottie West. Shelby discusses a Herstorian favorite and hair celebrity, Crystal Gayle. 

This is the perfect episode for our superstitious Herstorians. Amy educates us on the origin of Old Wives' Tales. (Spoiler Alert: It's sexist.) Shelby and Amy go back and forth, discussing some popular old wives' tales (and some random ones) and their origin. It's a fun one!

Due to the horrific fires in LA, we could not produce a regular episode for our Herstorians, so here's an update regarding our whereabouts and safety.  Stay safe, LA. We love you.

There's a lot of niche Christmas information out there, and after you listen to this episode, you will be one step closer to winning your local pub trivia. Amy educates us on Nollaig na mBan, also known as Women's Christmas. (Yes, please!) Shelby discusses Befana, a witch-like old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve. Pour some egg nog, and learn something new this...

On today's episode of Making Herstory, we talk to online business coach, agency owner, and course creator, Erica Reitman. This woman is a major BADASS who has worked with a publishing giant, became a coveted interior designer, and then built an unconventional and creative online business herself. If you want to be inspired, this episode is for you!

The women of Turkey are fierce and fun! Shelby discusses Turkey's first war photographer, Semiha Es. Amy tells us about Turkish actress and beauty Turkan Soray.  NOTE: We had a weird glitch around the 21.20 mark. We're chalking it up to Mercury's retrograde. It's noticeable, and we're not sure what information was missed, but we were on a tangent, so we won't sweat it. 

Who doesn't like the glitz and glam of Las Vegas? Today, we're showcasing showgirls! The ladies of the Strip, so to speak. Shelby talks about Texas beauty Betty Bunch. Amy discusses the long career of Linda Green.

Jab! Hook! Uppercut! Today, we're talking about female fighters. Shelby covers English bare-knuckle boxer, Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes. Amy educates us on American professional boxer and mixed martial artist Claressa Shields. See ya in the ring!  

Friends - It's been a rough week. We're still processing, but we'll be back next week with a regular episode. Go out and make some herstory, if you have the strength. You can also sleep.

Roll sound! Today, we celebrate female filmmakers. Amy covers Belgian-born French film director, screenwriter and photographer, Agnes Varda. Shelby discusses avant-garde Czech film director and pioneer of Czech cinema, Věra Chytilová. And scene!

It's spooky season, and we love a seasonal theme. This week, we're covering mummies - more specifically, women who have been mummified. Amy covers Chinese noblewoman, Xin Zhui. Shelby discusses the ancient Egyptian mummy known as The Screaming Woman.

We love women's sports, so we're celebrating female Hockey Players! Amy educates us on Angela James, a Canadian former ice hockey player who played at the highest levels of senior hockey between 1980 and 2000. Shelby discusses Julie Chu, an American-Canadian former Olympic ice hockey player who played forward on the United States women's ice hockey team and defense with Les Canadiennes of the Cana...

As October continues, we have decided to celebrate our fair and balanced astrological sign—Libras. Shelby gets macabre as she discusses French serial killer Jeanne Weber. Amy gives an "out-of-this-world" story about astronaut Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel to space.

Let's take a trip to Finland (unless you're already there, of course). We love the progressive country, so we decided it's about time Finalnd got some Herstory love. Shelby covers Finnish writer and social activist Minna Canth. Amy tells us about the first female president of Finland, Tarja Halonen.