Womanica

Abbye "Pudgy" Stockton (1917-2006) was all about transformation, whether she was bulking up her own impressive muscles or changing the face of women’s fitness. This month, we're talking about movers and shakers: dancers, stuntwomen, martial artists, and other pioneering women who've used their physical prowess to shake things up. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. Wh...

Zephyr Wright (1915-1988) served as President Lyndon B. Johnson’s personal chef for nearly three decades. While her southern cooking filled stomachs and won hearts, her experiences as a Black woman in the Jim Crow South inspired Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act.  Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to...

Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor (1937-2016) was a multi-talented storyteller whose autobiographical cook book explored food, reclamation, and community. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Black chefs, cooks, and food hist...

Susie King Taylor (1848-1912) was the first Black nurse in the Civil War, who nursed Black soldiers back to health - and cooked them delicious meals. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Black chefs, cooks, and food...

Sue Bailey Thurman (1903-1996) was an author, historian and civil rights activist, who made it her mission in life to preserve Black heritage through her writing. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Black chefs, coo...

Sheila Ferguson (1947-present) is a star of stage and screen who also made her mark on the culinary world. What started as a project to preserve recipes for her young daughters evolved into a cookbook that captures the legacy of soul food in the Black community. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histo...

Sarah Helen Mahammitt (c. 1873-1956) was famous for bringing European-style cooking to home kitchens across Nebraska. She was an entrepreneur and cookbook author who helped dispel the myth that Black food is unsophisticated. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on...

Pearl Bailey (1918-1990) was one of America's most beloved singers, and wrote a one-of-a-kind cookbook that invited her fans into her kitchen via her colorful prose.  Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Black chefs,...

Pamela Strobel (c. 1920- c. 1998) was a woman whose little restaurant in her Alphabet City apartment drew New York’s culinary elite to her doorstep. Much of her story remains a mystery, but her soul food recipes and no-nonsense attitude towards cooking have become the stuff of legend. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm in...

Mildred Cotton Council (1929-2018) was a woman whose cooking and community activism cemented her legacy in North Carolina history. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Black chefs, cooks, and food historians who crea...

Lillian Harris Dean, aka Pigfoot Mary (c. 1870-1929) embodies the promise of the American dream. She became one of Harlem’s most successful food vendors by selling pigs’ feet. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Bla...

Lena Richard (1892-1950) was the “Martha Stewart” of New Orleans. With a mind for business and an arsenal of recipes under her belt, she took Louisiana by storm as the host of her own cooking show. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating...

Leah Chase (1923-2019) was a legend of New Orleans cuisine. She believed that a bit of hard work and good food in her dining room could help change the course of American history.  Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - th...

Jessica B. Harris (1948-present) is a journalist, cultural historian, and author. She has published twelve books about the foods and foodways of the African diaspora.  Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Black chefs...

Georgia Gilmore (1920-1990) sustained a movement through her kitchen in Montgomery, Alabama. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Black chefs, cooks, and food historians who created new foodways and preserved importa...

Freda DeKnight (1909-1963) celebrated Black American chefs and home cooks as Ebony magazine’s first ever food editor. Her book “A Date With a Dish” was one of the first cookbooks written specifically for a Black audience. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Wom...

Duchess Quamino (c. 1739-1804) was the Pastry Queen of Rhode Island, an enslaved woman whose baking skills paved the way to freedom for her and her children. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Black chefs, cooks, a...

Cleora Butler (1901-1985) reclaimed what it meant to be an African American cook. Her food and her story embody her belief that cooking was an art form with lots of love added. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Bl...

Clara Brown (1800-1885) was known as the “Angel of the Rockies”. As one of the first Black women to settle in Colorado, she helped create a sense of family for a whole community – even after she’d lost her own. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’r...

B. Smith (1949-2020) built a food and lifestyle empire. She launched restaurants, wrote cookbooks, had a line of household products, and even hosted a talk show.  Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to new histories and traditions. This February on Womanica, we’re celebrating Tastemakers - the Black chefs, coo...

Abby Fisher (1831-1913) was one of the first Black American women to publish a cookbook. Her preserves, stews, cakes, and folk remedies offer a glimpse into southern food tradition and remind us that Black folks were often the ones establishing these culinary  practices. Food has been a unifier for millennia, not just gathering people together to share a meal, but acting as a warm introduction to...

Eunice Foote (1819-1888) was the first person to understand the phenomenon we now know as the greenhouse effect. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “Godmother of Title IX” Bernice Sandler, to the most prominent figure of the People Power Re...

Rose Mackenberg (1892-1968) is known as a real-life ghost buster. She partnered with magician Harry Houdini to investigate psychics and mediums across the United States. Her detective work helped expose scams and protect vulnerable people. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that...

Susette La Flesche Tibbles (1854-1903) became known across the country for her advocacy for indigenous rights. When she saw injustice, she helped other Native people stand up to the federal government, and win back their rights in court. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that w...

Ruby Hurley (1909-1980) was a pioneer of Black feminist activism. She played a key role in winning rights for African Americans and expanding the NAACP. You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels with a cause? This month on Womanica, we’re talking about women who broke rules that were meant to be broken. From the “Godmother of Title IX” Bernice Sandler, to the most...