The Riveting Rosies Podcast

It’s Independence Day - so no matter how you’re celebrating today, this episode’s Rosie wants you to “get some.” Join us in this episode as we delve into the incredible life story of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a renowned sex therapist, educator, and cultural icon. Born in Germany during a time of upheaval, Ruth's childhood was abruptly cut short by the atrocities of the Nazi regime. Through courage...

Henrietta Smith Bowers Duterte was the first woman mortuary owner in 19th-century America. From her fashionable upbringing to her marriage to Haitian American undertaker Francis Duterte, Henrietta's story is one of resilience and advocacy. After tragic losses, Henrietta fearlessly took over her husband's undertaking business, becoming America's pioneering female mortician. Her mortu...

Barbara Gittings was an indomitable force in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and representation. Despite facing societal and personal obstacles, she dedicated her life to education, activism, and advocacy. Through her work with organizations like the Daughters of Bilitis and the American Library Association, Barbara Gittings paved the way for greater understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ communit...

Myrtle Gonzalez blazed a trail in Hollywood as the industry's first Latina film star. Her remarkable talent, coupled with her proud embrace of her Latin heritage, shattered stereotypes and opened doors for future generations of actresses. Although her life was tragically cut short, her impact on the early film industry remains significant. Myrtle Gonzalez will always be remembered as a trailb...

Marie Tharp was a trailblazing geologist & oceanographer who mapped THE ENTIRE OCEAN FLOOR.   Even in the face of tremendous challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field ( same shit, different episode amirite? ), Marie's groundbreaking work revolutionized our understanding of the ocean floor and continental drift. Despite initial lack of recognition, her work eventually earned her the...

Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu shattered barriers and emerged as a remarkable figure, leaving an indelible mark on scientific achievements and gender equality.  Throughout her career, Dr. Wu made significant contributions to various fields of physics. Notably, she confirmed Enrico Fermi's theory of beta decay, leading to her authoring the book "Beta Decay," which is still referenced by physici...

Buckle up for an incredible Rosie, y’all…because it’s Malala time. As a child & teenager, Malala seized every opportunity to advocate for the right to education and girls' empowerment.  Her efforts soon attracted international attention & accolades, including that of terrorists.  On October 9, 2012, Malala survived an assassination attempt (AT 15 YEARS OLD), which only continued to fu...

Sylvia Dorothy Lawler was a trailblazer in genetics & transplantation.  Her research focused on rhesus blood-groups, HLA typing, the Human Genome Project, & more.  Her pioneering work continues to shape our understanding of human genetics and offers hope for innovative medical treatments. Follow The Riveting Rosies Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therivetingrosies/ Support...

Huda Sha'arawi was an Egyptian feminist and nationalist who played a significant role in the women's rights movement in Egypt and the Arab world during the early 20th century. She founded the first women's organization in Egypt and was a vocal advocate for women's education and political participation. Sarah Chapman was a trade unionist and one of the leaders of the 1888 Bryant...

When we think of powerful women in ancient history, figures like Cleopatra and Catherine the Great often come to mind. But one woman who deserves more recognition for her political savvy and intelligence is Valeria Messalina, the third wife of Emperor Claudius in ancient Rome.  Previously known only as the biggest slut in Roman history, a modern-day perspective suggests a more nuanced and complex...

“The Motorcycle Queen of Miami,” Bessie Stringfield was the first African American woman to ride across the United States as a solo motorcyclist.  Her countries took her across the world, performing in carnival shows & serving as a citizen courier for the U.S. Army in WWII.  Her determination, grit, and courage to challenge societal norms and pursue her passion in the face of adversity make he...

Dr. James Barry, born Margaret Anne Bulkley, was a pioneering physician and military surgeon who made significant contributions to the field of medicine during a career spanning over 50 years. Their story challenges traditional notions of gender and identity and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by women and other marginalized groups in pursuing careers and achieving recognition for the...

It’s Corissa’s birthday this week, so we’re celebrating with a Thorny Rosies Episode! Christiana Edmunds, the Chocolate Cream Poisoner, began a poisoning rampage in the late 1800s in England, after her affair with a local physician was cut short.  Going so far as poisoning her paramour’s wife, local politicians, & HERSELF, she was eventually caught, but not before murdering a small boy. Popula...

Happy Women’s History Month!  We are continuing to celebrate amazing Rosies here on the podcast, so enjoy these incredible women’s stories! Follow The Riveting Rosies Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therivetingrosies/ Support the show

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson is the first African American woman to receive a doctorate from MIT in any subject, and the second African American woman to receive a doctorate in physics in the United States. But her contributions to the field of physics and the broader scientific community go well beyond her academic achievements.  Queen Tiye’s many royal titles indicate the immense influence and power...

Krystyna Chojnowska Liskiewicz was a Polish yachtswoman & the first woman to sail around the world solo. She faced many challenges during her journey, including rough seas, equipment failures, and loneliness, but she persevered and completed her journey after 401 days at sea. Bessie Coleman is known as the Queen of the Skies who defied the odds.  Bessie was a trailblazing aviator and the first...

Irena Sendler was a Polish social worker who risked her life to save the lives of thousands of Jewish children during the Holocaust. She developed a secret network of individuals who helped to smuggle children out of the Warsaw Ghetto, and she managed to maintain her courage and determination even in the face of extreme danger. Margaret "Molly" Brown, an American philanthropist, socialit...

This week on the podcast, we’re continuing our conversation on Mercury 13.  If you haven’t listened to Ep. 51 yet, make sure you do that first, then jump back into this episode. Mercury 13, also known as First Lady Astronaut Trainees (FLATs), were thirteen women selected for a privately funded program to select and train women to travel into space.  Today we’re covering each member of the FLATs in...

Mercury 13, also known as First Lady Astronaut Trainees (FLATs), were thirteen women selected for a privately funded program to select and train women to travel into space.  Despite the disappointing conclusion to the FLATs program, these brave women boldly paved the way for those who would go on to become official NASA astronauts (including previously-covered Rosie, Mae Jemison ). The women of Me...

Goesaert v. Cleary was a 1948 US Supreme Court case challenging the Public Acts of Michigan 1945, which limited women’s ability to be a licensed bartender. After WWII ended, men returned home to find that women were serving in all the roles they left behind, including bartending, & were doing it better.  Many states then began to pass laws and acts that went so far as to outright forbid women...

Lin Siniang was a young concubine turned martial arts instructor & military leader in 1600s China. Lucille Mulhall was America’s first cowgirl, nicknamed Queen of the Range & Champion Lady Steer Roper of the World. Follow The Riveting Rosies Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therivetingrosies/ Support the show

Tawakkol Karman is a Yemeni human rights activist, journalist, and politician.  She is the first Arab woman and the second Muslim woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work. Known as “The Tenth Muse,” Sappho was a Greek lyric poet and one of the world’s earliest known femal...

Katherine Switzer is a former American marathon runner who is best known for being the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as an officially registered entrant.  During the marathon, a race official attempted to physically remove Switzer from the course, captured in a now-famous photo. Switzer managed to complete the race and her participation in the Boston Marathon helped pave the way for women...

Mary Anning was an English paleontologist who discovered the ichthyosaurus, the Plesiosaurus, and many other Jurassic era fossils. Ada Lovelace was a 19th century English mathematician, writer, & first computer programmer.  Ada’s work laid the foundation for the eventual development of the computer, the creation of modern computers, & the computer science field.  Follow The Riveting Rosies...

Previously considered nothing more than legend, the very real-life Scythian warriors were skilled horse-women & archers of antiquity.  These badass women have long been discounted by historians, probably because they were so badass: they may have invented pants, tattooed their skin, & were feared enemies of Greek heroes. Follow The Riveting Rosies Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagra...