She Changed History

Cara has been to Dubrovnik! And this week we deep dive into the life and work of journalist Ruth First, Nelson Mandela's buddy. We look at her impactful journalism and activism against apartheid in South Africa. The conversation delves into the life and work of Ruth First, highlighting her independence, directness, and activist research. It explores the impact of her death and the power of the wri...

60. Joan of Arc: The teenager who changed history Joan of Arc's extraordinary life unfolds in three captivating chapters. We explore her humble beginnings in a turbulent France, her divine calling and mission, and her remarkable leadership in battle, challenging gender and social norms along the way. The conversation delves into Joan of Arc's rise to power, her strategic leadership, and religious...

We cover it all today wind, pottery, mischeief and pancakes! We learn about Barute's background and early life, how she ended up in Borneo, her connection with orangutans, challenges of outdoor living, and Barute's discoveries. The conversation delves into the behaviour and environment of orangutans, the challenges of caring for orphaned baby orangutans, the impact and legacy of conservation work,...

Discover the inspiring story of Dorothy Mary Hodgkin, a pioneering scientist who revolutionized medicine with her groundbreaking work in crystallography. From childhood experiments to Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, learn how her perseverance and passion changed the world. Keywords Dorothy Hodgkin, crystallography, penicillin, insulin, Nobel Prize, science innovation, women in science, medical br...

The conversation delves into the individual's significance in the face of big data, the erosion of privacy, historical context, resistance, and hope for change in surveillance capitalism. It emphasizes the need for regulatory measures and the future viewpoint on unregulated corporate influence and how one woman's work is heavily influencing that because she has seen it and done it all since the 80...

The second episode of Eleanor's story delves into the imprisonment of Eleanor and her eventual release by her son, Richard. Eleanor of Aquitaine's story is characterized by her strategic leadership, influence, and legacy protection. From orchestrating subtle power plays to mediating conflicts and raising ransom for Richard's release, Eleanor's story is a testament to her remarkable leadership and...

A story so epic we are doing two parts. Today we cover the medieval Queen Eleanor, her turbulent first marriage to Louis VII and their relationship, before doing a deep dive into Eleanor's divorce and subsequent marriage to Henry II. The conversation delves into Eleanor's influence, her impact on culture, and the tensions within her family. It explores her active role, love affairs, and cultural i...

Today we learn from Cara all about the role of the Chung Sisters in leading a rebellion, and the cultural and historical context of ancient Vietnam. We cover colonialism, women's empowerment, and the clash of civilizations. The story of the Trung sisters, who raised an army of 80,000 people to resist the Han Empire, is a powerful symbol of resistance and freedom in Vietnamese history. Their legacy...

The conversation covers the excitement for the Borderlines Film Festival and then transitions into a discussion about storytelling and the life of Mary Seacole. The conversation delves into the life of Mary Seacole, highlighting her vocation, challenges, entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, establishment of the British Hotel, comparison with Florence Nightingale, frontline service, recognition, leg...

This week Cara delves into the life and career of Dorothy Parker, focusing on her iconic humour and the challenges and tragedies she faced. It explores her personal life, career, involvement in the Algonquin Round Table, and her transition to screenwriting. The discussion provides insights into her wit, social circle, and professional journey. The conversation delves into Dorothy Parker's life, hi...

This conversation explores the life and contributions of Dame Caroline Haslett, a pioneering figure in electrical engineering and women's rights. The discussion covers her early life, her role in establishing the Women's Engineering Society, and her significant impact on electrical safety standards, particularly the British three-pin plug. The hosts reflect on her legacy and the importance of wome...

This conversation delves into the powerful story of Nadia Murad, a Yazidi woman who survived the atrocities of ISIS and became a global advocate for human rights. The discussion covers her early life, the impact of the ISIS invasion on her community, her escape from captivity, and her ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the plight of Yazidi women and girls. The hosts reflect on the importance...

Summary In this episode, Vicky and Cara delve into the remarkable life of Nzinga Mbandi, the warrior queen of Angola, who defied colonial powers and redefined leadership in the 17th century. The conversation begins with Vicky sharing her excitement about attending an event featuring notable personalities, including Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen. As they transition into the main topic, they explore Nzin...

Keywords Pamela Coleman Smith, tarot, mysticism, cultural appropriation, art history, spirituality, women in art, Golden Dawn, suffragette, identity Summary This conversation delves into the life and legacy of Pamela Coleman Smith, an artist and mystic known for her work on the tarot deck that bears her name. The discussion explores her early life, artistic beginnings, and the influences that shap...

In this episode, the hosts share preparations for the Christmas season before delving into the inspiring stories of three remarkable women.  First is Ms Sanae Takaichi the first female Prime Minister of Japan, known for her multifaceted personality and groundbreaking achievements.  Next is Alison Westwood from rural Wales, who launched a successful initiative to divert surplus food from landfills,...

Eliza Acton: The Pioneer of Modern Cookbooks This episode discusses the life and contributions of Eliza Acton, a Victorian poet who unexpectedly authored the world's first cookbook aimed at home cooks. The hosts highlight Acton's significant innovations in recipe writing, emphasizing practical and detailed instructions that were revolutionary at the time. The episode also touches on the history of...

The Curious Case of Mary Magdalene: From Sinner to Saint Sources: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=1285143176741563 Luisa Omielan  https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/marymagdalene.shtml https://broadview.org/mary-magdalene-easter-story/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/who-was-mary-magdalene-119565482/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Magdalene htt...

Celebrating Carmen Beckford: A Legacy of Unity and Cultural Celebration In this heartfelt episode, Cara and Vicky discuss the incredible life and legacy of Carmen Beckford, a Jamaican-born midwife and social activist. Despite initial adversities as part of the Windrush generation, Carmen's tireless efforts in fostering community relationships and cultural pride in Bristol earned her significant re...

Queen Nanny: The Maroon Leader Who Defied the British Empire In this episode of 'She Changed History,' the hosts explore the captivating story of Queen Nanny of the Maroons. Set against the backdrop of early 18th century Jamaica, Nanny led the Windward Maroons in a prolonged and successful resistance against British colonial forces. Known for her strategic brilliance, spiritual guidance, and uniqu...

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...