Womanica

Henriette Caillaux (1874-1943) caused chaos on the French political scene when she shot and killed Gaston Calmette, editor of the newspaper Le Figaro. This month, we’re highlighting Ragers: women who used their anger— often righteous, though not always— to accomplish extraordinary things. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wond...

Hazel Dickens (1935-2011) used her voice — and her guitar — to fight against abuse of the working class. Though she  evolved into a leading figure in folk music, she never abandoned her blue collar roots. This month, we’re highlighting Ragers: women who used their anger— often righteous, though not always— to accomplish extraordinary things. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for goo...

Hattie Canty (1933-2012) was one of the greatest strike leaders in U.S. history. This month, we’re highlighting Ragers: women who used their anger— often righteous, though not always— to accomplish extraordinary things. 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 were so many incredible sto...

Grace Lee Boggs (1915-2015) was an activist who fought for change for over 70 years. Her intersectional organizing work helped create community in one of America’s toughest cities – Detroit. This month, we’re highlighting Ragers: women who used their anger— often righteous, though not always— to accomplish extraordinary things. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When...

Fannie Sellins (c. 1870-1919) was a fearless union leader who stood up to big bosses. She fought tirelessly to alleviate the poverty and exploitation of workers.... and risked her life to do so. This month, we’re highlighting Ragers: women who used their anger— often righteous, though not always— to accomplish extraordinary things. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason....

Constance Kopp (1878-1931) was the first woman sheriff’s deputy in the United States. She's now known as a pioneering feminist, but when she was alive she was seen as an aggressive woman tired of men getting away with everything. This month, we’re highlighting Ragers: women who used their anger— often righteous, though not always— to accomplish extraordinary things. History classes can get a bad r...

Caroline Norton (1808-1877) was a pioneer of women’s rights in 19th century England through sheer determination and wit. This month, we’re highlighting Ragers: women who used their anger— often righteous, though not always— to accomplish extraordinary things. 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 la...

Carmelita Torres (1900-present) laid her life on the line to protest America’s border crossing policies.  This month, we’re highlighting Ragers: women who used their anger— often righteous, though not always— to accomplish extraordinary things. 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 we...

Lupe Vélez (1908-1944) was a star unlike any Hollywood had ever seen before. Dubbed the “Mexican Hurricane” by the press, she was always ready to stir up trouble. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where...

Linda Taylor (1926-2002) likely committed a multitude of crimes throughout her life: theft, kidnapping, and possibly even murder. But she was best known for committing welfare fraud. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t hel...

Marijane Meaker (1927-2022) was a prolific author who wrote across multiple genres under multiple pen names. She even spawned  a new kind of writing  –  lesbian pulp fiction. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wonder...

Khutulun (c. 1260- c. 1306) was a Mongolian noblewoman who refused to marry any man unless he could beat her in wrestling – but she was impossible to pin down.  This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where w...

Yoshiko Kawashima (1907-1948) was a Chinese princess turned Japanese spy who had her sight set on reclaiming her family’s glory. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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 were...

Hwang Jini (c. 1700 - c. 1750) wrote poetry that made her famous among her contemporaries– and resonated for centuries afterwards. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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 wer...

Hedda Hopper (1885-1966) aired out Hollywood’s dirty laundry in her column – and gained a loyal following in the process. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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 were so many...

Adela Holzer (1929-present) was a New York City socialite and one of Broadway’s hottest producers… until she was outed as a major white collar fraud. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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...

Bertha Heyman (1851-unknown) was a confidence queen who fleeced men out of thousands of dollars using her smarts and charisma – despite her unconventional looks. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where...

Florence Foster Jenkins (1868-1944) was an opera singer that drew massive crowds for her terrible voice. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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 were so many incredible stori...

Cécile Fatiman (1771-1883) facilitated a special ceremony that ignited the Haitian Revolution. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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 were so many incredible stories missing...

Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy (1756-1791) concocted an intricate scheme to impersonate Queen Marie Antoinette - all for the sake of living a life of luxury. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were al...

Mary Cockerill (c. 1798-1819) was an Australian legend and aboriginal outlaw who went from running from the law – to working with them. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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? Wh...

Aunt Ciata (c. 1854-1924) was a beloved spiritual leader that kept samba music alive in Rio de Janeiro.  This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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 were so many incredible stori...

Elvira Chaudoir (c. 1910-1996) was a master of deception, whose double agent work during World War II led to the Allied victory on D-Day.  This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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?...

Rosa Bouglione (1910-2018) was "the undisputed queen of the circus world." Her eccentric performances had no limits, even though they were done from inside a cage. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... wher...

Amy Bock (1859-1943) spent the majority of her life conning the people of New Zealand. She was once labeled “The Champion Crook of the Century.”  This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. 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 lad...