THE SCANDALOUS WOMAN Uno Chiyo

Uno Chiyo rose to fame in 20th century Japan as a writer, designer, domestic goddess, and fashion icon – mostly by marketing herself as just a scandalous woman. But this “Bad Girl of Good Housekeeping” was so much more than just a writer of sexy stories. Guest Rebecca Copeland helps Olivia uncover the secrets of this enigmatic, fascinating woman. All photos courtesy of Rebecca Copeland unless otherwise indicated Rebecca Copeland is a professor of Japanese …

THE SHAMAN QUEEN Himiko

In the 3rd century, a mysterious queen ruled the Kingdom of Yamatai (modern-day Japan) with a wise and steady hand. Her reign lasted almost 70 years – but what can we really know about her, when her people never wrote anything down? Anthropologist Laura Miller introduces Olivia to this elusive ancient queen.   Read more about Queen Himiko’s continuing “rebirth” as a powerful cultural icon in Laura Miller’s fascinating articles “Searching for Charisma: Queen Himiko” …

THE SWORN SPINSTER Fanny Law

Whenever Teresa Lim asked about a striking woman she saw in old family photos, she was told ‘That’s Aunt Fanny; she was unfortunate.’ So naturally, Teresa Lim spent years excavating Aunt Fanny’s life in 1920s Singapore. It’s a story of three devoted sisters, ghost husbands, working-class Chinese feminists, and sworn spinsters. Turns out, Fanny was very fortunate indeed…until History arrived at her front door. Our guest is Teresa Lim, author of The Interpreter’s Daughter. All …

THE ANCESTORS Mother’s Day Special

What’sHerName presents our very first Mother’s Day Special! Come “meet the ancestors” as six What’sHerName listeners introduce some truly remarkable women from their own family history! From Ukraine to Japan, Uzbekistan to Mexico, we’re traveling around the world, and through 275 years, to discover these amazing ancestors in this special double episode. Our guests are What’sHerName listeners Irit Namatinya, Susan Stone, Lisa Williamson, Adrienne, Sachiko Burton, and Michelle Thorley. Rosalia and her daughter Sophia survived …