Womanica

Captain Thuridur Einarsdottir (1777-1863) was a brawny sea captain whose fishing and seafaring skills made her into a legend in Icelandic history. This month, we’re talking about adventurers – women who refused to be confined. They pushed the boundaries of where a woman could go, and how she could get there. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, w...

Bessie Coleman (1892-1926) was the first African American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot's license. She crossed an ocean to get that license, delighted audiences with high-flying feats, and fought for the right to take flight. This month, we’re talking about adventurers – women who refused to be confined. They pushed the boundaries of where a woman could go, and how she could get...

Barbara Hillary (1931-2019) was the first Black woman to travel to both the North Pole and the South Pole. This month, we’re talking about adventurers – women who refused to be confined. They pushed the boundaries of where a woman could go, and how she could get there. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were...

Augusta and Adeline Van Buren (1884-1959, 1889-1949) made a harrowing cross country motorcycle journey to prove women had as much to offer the war effort as men. This month, we’re talking about adventurers – women who refused to be confined. They pushed the boundaries of where a woman could go, and how she could get there. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we w...

Arati Saha (1940-1994) was the first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel. This month, we’re talking about adventurers – women who refused to be confined. They pushed the boundaries of where a woman could go, and how she could get there. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why...

Annie Londonderry (1870-1947) was a housewife-turned-cyclist who went on to become the first woman to bicycle around the world. This month, we’re talking about adventurers – women who refused to be confined. They pushed the boundaries of where a woman could go, and how she could get there. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help won...

Anésia Pinheiro Machado (1904-1999) has been crowned the “Dean of All Woman Pilots.” She broke glass ceilings to become one of the most decorated female pilots in Brazil. This month, we’re talking about adventurers – women who refused to be confined. They pushed the boundaries of where a woman could go, and how she could get there. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason....

Ada Blackjack (1898-1983) learned to adapt to the harsh conditions of the Arctic as a castaway for two years. This month, we’re talking about adventurers – women who refused to be confined. They pushed the boundaries of where a woman could go, and how she could get there. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where we...

Sir Lady Java (c. 1943-present) stood against a Los Angeles law that targeted trans women, drag performers and anyone who dared to live openly outside the gender binary. Her fierce advocacy made her a trailblazer for the trans community. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them hav...

Sappho (c. 615 BC) was an ancient Greek poet and an architect of the very words we use to talk about queer identity today. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced generations of people to be unapologetically themselves. History classes can g...

Renée Richards (1934-present) was possibly the first transgender woman to compete in a professional sport -- but she’d rather be known as an accomplished doctor than an accomplished athlete or activist. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influence...

Nobuko Yoshiya (1896-1973) was a writer whose work helped pave the way for the popular Japanese illustrated genre of shōjo manga. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced generations of people to be unapologetically themselves. History classe...

Nancy Kulp (1921-1991) became famous for her comedic role on a hit 1960s sitcom and later tried her hand in the political arena. She  kept people talking long after her career came to an end, by coming out in an interview published after her death. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All...

Planned Parenthood is our partner in breaking the stigma around abortion. In today’s bonus episode, we share things you can do to help support a loved one who is having an abortion. We also hear from Anusha, who shares their abortion story. Visit plannedparenthood.org/EndStigma to hear more stories and learn how you can help end abortion stigma. For accurate information about abortion, or to talk...

Miss Cleo, or Youree Dell Harris, (1962-2016) was a television psychic known for sitting behind a large table adorned with a crystal ball and candles, encouraging viewers to call her for a free reading – now! We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and inf...

Maxine "Max" Feldman (1945-2007) was a folk singer-songwriter who made significant contributions to the women’s music movement through her unwavering commitment to living authentically and openly. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced gene...

James How, also known as Mary East, and their wife Mrs. How (c. 1760s) were pillars of their eighteenth century English community, until a blackmailer attempted to expose Mr. How's "true" gender. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced gener...

Lesley Gore (1946-2015) was a pop singer who topped the charts in the 1960s. Her songs gave a voice to teenage love and angst — and to the burgeoning second wave feminist movement. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced generations of peopl...

Lella Lombardi (1941-1992) was a legend of Formula 1 racing. The most successful female driver in F-1 history, she was known on and off the track for living her life the way she wanted it to go.  We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced gener...

Planned Parenthood is our partner in reducing the stigma around abortion. In today’s bonus episode we share facts about abortion and hear from Dakota Rei, who shares their abortion story — and emphasizes that all abortions are valid, no matter the reason. Visit plannedparenthood.org/EndStigma to hear more stories and learn how you can help end abortion stigma.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Jackie Shane (1940-2019) Black transgender soul singer who shook things up in the rhythm and blues scene in Toronto. Her legacy was almost lost to history when she disappeared for decades. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced generations...

Osh-Tisch (1854-1929) was among the last badé of the Crow Nation: an assigned-male-at-birth person who occupied ceremonial and social roles usually filled by both women and men. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced generations of people t...

Erika Mann (1905-1969) was an actress, writer and war journalist, whose work always marched towards two goals: anti-fascism, and freedom of choice. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced generations of people to be unapologetically themselv...

Ella Holmes White (1856-1942) and Marie Grice Young (1876-1959) survived the sinking of the Titanic. Their commitment to each other was as strong as their commitment to getting their lifeboat to safety. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influence...

Edie Windsor (1929-2017) waged war against the federal government for the recognition of same-sex marriages. We're celebrating Pride Month with Icons: supreme queens of queer culture. Some are household names... others are a little more behind the scenes. All of them have defied social norms and influenced generations of people to be unapologetically themselves. History classes can get a bad rap,...