Womanica

Olympe de Gouges (1748-1793) was a playwright and political activist during the French Revolution. While her country was reimagining its political future, the equal rights the revolutionaries promised did not include women. So she fought back. This month, we’re highlighting Women of Resistance. Whether fighting tyranny, oppression, sexism, racism, reproductive control, or any number of other ills,...

Trieu Thi Trinh (c. 226 - c. 248) was a legendary figure, sometimes called the Vietnamese Joan of Arc. She was only 19 when she led an army that beat back invading Chinese forces.   This month, we’re highlighting Women of Resistance. Whether fighting tyranny, oppression, sexism, racism, reproductive control, or any number of other ills, these women created paths for change. History classes can get...

Dorothy Day (1897-1980) was the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. A political and religious radical, she rejected institutional authority. This month, we’re highlighting Women of Resistance. Whether fighting tyranny, oppression, sexism, racism, reproductive control, or any number of other ills, these women created paths for change. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good r...

Aletta Jacobs (1854-1929) was the first woman doctor in the Netherlands. She spent her life caring for women - as a doctor, and as a political activist.  This month, we’re highlighting Women of Resistance. Whether fighting tyranny, oppression, sexism, racism, reproductive control, or any number of other ills, these women created paths for change. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes fo...

Dorothy Pitman Hughes (1938-present) is a community organizer and child welfare advocate, who was a leader of the Women’s Movement in the 1970s. This month, we’re highlighting Women of Resistance. Whether fighting tyranny, oppression, sexism, racism, reproductive control, or any number of other ills, these women created paths for change. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good re...

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (1890-1964) was one of the most influential American labor organizers of the 20th century. From stirring up successful workers’ strikes to advocating for women in the workforce, her commanding voice inspired countless activists. This month, we’re highlighting Women of Resistance. Whether fighting tyranny, oppression, sexism, racism, reproductive control, or any number of oth...

Nancy Wake (1912-2011) defied Nazi forces and saved hundreds of lives during World War II. Her stealthy tactics and fierce bravery confounded enemy soldiers and earned her honors from several countries. This month, we’re highlighting Women of Resistance. Whether fighting tyranny, oppression, sexism, racism, reproductive control, or any number of other ills, these women created paths for change. Hi...

Lou Andreas-Salomé (1861-1937) was an inspiration to some of Germany’s most famous thinkers – including Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud. But she was also an intellectual, whose writings on sexual liberation and women’s rights paved the way for generations of feminists. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partn...

Gala Dalí (1894-1982) served as a muse for several famous Surrealist artists. Without her influence, the beloved painter Salvador Dalí may never have risen to such great heights. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse named Mercedes). Tune i...

Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764) rose to the top of French society as King Louis XV’s mistress. Her influence in art, culture, and politics was felt throughout France even after her death. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse named Mercedes...

In our final bonus episode this month, Mercedes-Benz and Womanica bring you the story of Mercedes Kim, one of 10 young women being featured in a brand campaign called “I Am Mercedes.” This high school student from Virginia has her sights set on creating a sustainable future for fashion. Learn how this young Mercedes is chasing her dream to make ethical fashion the norm—not the exception. This mont...

Lydia Delectorskaya (1910-1998) became the final muse for the celebrated French modernist painter Henri Matisse. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse named Mercedes). Tune in daily for stories of women whose lives inspired work that has sh...

Dora Maar (1907-1997) is best known as the model who inspired Pablo Picasso’s portrait “The Weeping Woman.” However, she was much more than a muse. Her experimental and surrealist paintings and photographs are still influential today. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous names...

Marguerite Littman (1930-2020) was said to be the inspiration for Holly Golightly, the heroine of Truman Capote’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” She collected many famous friends through her wit and magnetic charm. Then, she harnessed her power as a socialite to raise funds to fight the AIDS epidemic in the ‘80s.  This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiratio...

Elizabeth Siddal (1829-1862) is known as “art’s greatest supermodel.” She is famously immortalized in paintings as Shakespeare’s Viola and Ophelia but she was also an artist and poet in her own right. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse n...

Kiki de Montparnasse (1901-1953) inspired Man Ray and many other painters, photographers and sculptors. An artist herself, she impressed critics with her paintings and made waves with her risqué memoirs. She was a dazzling socialite and style icon, a true “it-girl” of Bohemian Paris. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud...

Yoko Ono (1933-present) is a polarizing figure in the world of music and contemporary art. Her work was influential for many artists and musicians, but was often overshadowed by her public relationship. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse...

Loie Fuller (1862-1928) used swirling silks, multi-colored lights, and inspiration from nature in her routines. Her artistry helped inspire the Art Nouveau movement of the early 20th century. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse named Merc...

Maria Von Trapp (1905-1987) had her voice heard around the world. First, as a member of a highly popular touring group–and second, in theaters around the world as a rebel nun turned baroness. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse named Merc...

Margaret Garner (1834-1858) is known for a desperate act that became immortalized in Toni Morrison’s award winning novel, Beloved. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse named Mercedes). Tune in daily for stories of women whose lives inspire...

Jean Ross (1911-1973) inspired the character Sally Bowles, the cabaret singer in Christopher Isherwood’s novel, Goodbye to Berlin, as well as the musical adaptation, Cabaret. Where fictional Sally was untroubled and naive, her real-life counterpart was driven, politically-engaged, and curious.  This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again,...

Lee Miller (1907-1977) was legendary for her beauty, which was captured on film by Jean Cocteau, painted by Pablo Picasso, and photographed by Man Ray. However, she was also a talented photographer, writer, and one of the only female war correspondents to be credentialed during World War II. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’...

Bettina Brentano Von Arnim (1785-1859) inspired the likes of Ludwig van Beethoven and Karl Marx, while also publishing influential writings of her own. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse named Mercedes). Tune in daily for stories of wome...

Alma Mahler (1879-1964) was a composer, sculptor, and writer. Though she was less widely known as an artist, those who have heard her name probably know it through a famous song performed by the satirist Tom Lehrer in 1965. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was ins...

Anna Karina (1940-2019) was the actress known as “the face of French New Wave cinema.” Her work with director Jean-Luc Godard shaped the evolution of film in the late 20th century. However, she wasn’t just an icon of the silver screen. She was also a director, hit singer, novelist, and model. This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we...