Kickass Women of History

We dive into the life of Medieval anchoress, Isabel German. In the 1400s, Isabel chose to leave the world behind and was bricked up into a small cell in a York Church, with only a small window for light, air, and the passing of food and waste. Why did she do it? What would her life have been like? Laura Yeoman from the Borthwick Institute at the University of York takes Amy and Emma on a journey t...

This week, Amy and Emma learn about Angolan poet and freedom-fighter, Deolinda Rodrigues from Dame Rosie Stevenson-Goodknight, co-founder of Wikipedia's Women in Red project. They also launch a brand new initiative in celebration of Women's History Month 2025.

FOR IMAGES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE, PLEASE VISIT www.kickasswomenofhistory.com This week, Amy and Emma are joined by Kay Jones, Lead Curator of Urban and community History at the Museum of Liverpool, to discuss the incredible life of April Ashley. From the merchant navy, to Paris nightclubs and modelling for Vogue, we explore the ups and downs of April's life. One of the first Brits to under...

Amy and Emma are joined by Sarah Griffin of the University of York (UK) to discuss the lives of Alice Broad and Grace White, two generations of women who were pioneers in the print trade in post-Reformation York.

Dr Imaobong Umoren from the London School of Economics and Politics joins Amy and Emma to celebrate mark 50 years since the UN announced their Decade for Women. What impact did it have on women's opportunities around the globe? How did it lead to the birth of Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era ( DAWN ), a transnational  feminist  network of scholars, researchers and activists fr...

Sámi National Day is 6th February, so we are celebrating with the story of activist, and first published Sámi writer, Elsa Laula Renberg. Joining Amy and Emma is Lia Frostkrans of the Women's History Museum in Umeå, Sweden.

Dr Mette Kia Krabbe Meyer of the Royal Danish Library joins Amy and Emma to talk about the life of pioneering Danish photographer, Julie Laurberg. Discussion includes Julie's experiments with colour images, her active support of other women, and the importance of her business and life partner, Franziska Gad.

Things can't go right all the time. Hear dogs, disasters, and dates cause problems for Amy Cotterill, Emma Cook, and Dr Eleanor Janega in these outtakes from Kickass Women of History episode 3.

Dr Eleanor Janega joins Amy and Emma to talk about the turbulent life of Isabella of France. This Queen of England's tale includes adultery, treason, and lots and lots of jewellery. Hear about how she conquered a nation, deposed a king, and remained absolutely fabulous.

Amy and Emma are joined by Roxy Moon of the ArQuives in Toronto, Canada to discuss the life of LGBTQ+ campaigner, journalist and icon, Chris Bearchell. Hosted by Amy Cotterill and Emma Cook.

For their debut episode, Amy and Emma are joined by Dr Eleanor Jackson, curator of the British Library's "Medieval Women" exhibition, and Professor Anthony Bale of the University of Cambridge. Together they discuss the life of 15th century mystic and how a game of ping-pong changed our understanding of life in the middle ages. Hosted by Amy Cotterill and Emma Cook.

Ahead of Episode 1 going live next week, hosts Amy Cotterill and Emma Cook sit down to chat about the podcast, why they're making it, and what is coming up.

Here's a sneak-peak of our brand new podcast, Kickass Women of History