Category: North America

THE TEACHER Lois Meek Stolz

When Lois Meek Stolz became a teacher, “children as small silent robots”-style education ruled the day. But her innovative vision, empathy for her students, and bold refusal to “do what had always been done” helped change American education forever – but that was only the beginning! Meet the “model teacher” who became one of the most influential Child Development experts in a century… and then was completely forgotten. Olivia interviews Elizabeth More, Historian and Director …

20th century / Educators / North America / United States

THE GLEANER Judith Sargent Murray

Loved this episode? Join our Lost Women of New England Tour in Oct 2023 for an exclusive VIP tour of Judith Sargent Murray’s home and so much more! In 1790, Judith Sargent Murray became the first American to publicly argue that men and women were equal. Hailing from seafaring Gloucester Massachusetts, she educated herself, weathered some of life’s cruelest storms, and published hundreds of bold, brave essays. She expected to rock the boat, steering her …

18th century / 19th century / North America / Philosophy / Politics / United States / Writers

THE CONSTANT SCANDAL Valeska Gert

Even in the wildly eccentric cabaret culture of 1920s Berlin,Valeska Gert stood out. And though it would take nearly fifty years for society to “catch up” with Valeska’s vision – this unique and irrepressible dancer would eventually (and against all odds) become revered as the “Mother of Punk”!   Olivia interviews dancer and dance historian Janet Collard. Watch Janet Collard’s show Performing Valeska here, and see newly-discovered footage of Valeska Gert performing “Tanz in Orange” …

20th century / Dancers / Europe / Germany / North America / Performers / United States

THE GOOD WIFE Elizabeth Bray Allen

What makes a good wife? In 1700s Virginia, there was one clear path for colonial women: Marry. Have children. Preserve the family wealth. Fail at this, and you’ve failed at life. But what if the family wealth you were tasked to preserve was an old mansion…and a slave plantation? Katie takes us on location to Bacon’s Castle, one of America’s oldest houses.   You can read Elizabeth Bray Allen’s will here, and take a 3D …

18th century / North America / on-location / United States

THE MOTHER OF FORENSIC SCIENCE Frances Glessner Lee

Loved this episode? Join us on our Lost Women of New England Tour in Oct 2023 – we’ll visit Glessner Lee’s New Hampshire home The Rocks and even see one of her mind-blowing Nutshell Studies in person! Frances Glessner Lee was 52 years old when she discovered the mission that would become her legacy – to “convict the guilty, clear the innocent, and find the truth.” After five decades as a prominent social hostess (and …

20th century / Activists / Educators / First woman to... / Medicine / North America / Performers / Science / True Crime / United States

THE SCREENWRITER Frances Marion

Frances Marion was one of the most important, influential, and well-paid screenwriters in Hollywood. Her films moved audiences to tears and brought out the best in every actor for whom she ever wrote. And when the switch to ‘talking pictures’ left most other silent film writers in the dust, Frances continued to astonish, creating dozens of the most famous and beloved films of the first half of the 20th century. So how come nobody remembers …

20th century / Artists / North America / Theater / United States / Writers

THE ORGANIZER Celia Sánchez

Celia Sánchez Manduley was probably the most important woman in the Cuban Revolution – yet outside of Cuba, almost nobody knows her name. The first woman to fire a shot in the revolution, and the brains behind the revolution’s complex logistics, she is known in Cuba as the powerful heart of a movement to “make people’s lives better.” Discover this astonishing story with our guest, Tiffany Sippial. Director of the Honors College and Professor of …

20th century / Cuba / First woman to... / Government / Military / North America / Politics / War

THE FIRST ACCUSED Tituba

Some say Tituba was the easy target in 1692, as an enslaved woman of color. But surprise! She confessed to witchcraft, offering elaborate descriptions of a widespread Satanic conspiracy. Her tales launched Salem, Massachusetts into an unparalleled witch mania. No one was safe…except Tituba herself. How did she start it all, and how did she escape? Join Katie on location in Salem, Massachusetts for this year’s Halloween special.   For more of Tituba’s story, this …

17th century / Halloween Specials / Indigenous Peoples / North America / on-location / Religion / South America / Special Episodes / United States / Witches

GONE TO THE ENEMY Eve

What if you got to witness the birth of the American Revolution personally? If you got to hear the founding fathers debating liberty, rights, and the pursuit of happiness around the dining table? Eve heard and saw it all…because she was enslaved by one of the founding fathers. Eve kept her ears open, her eyes down, and then, she made her move. Join Katie on location in Williamsburg, Virginia for the astonishing story of Eve, …

18th century / Black history / North America / Politics / United States / War

THE QUEEN OF THE COMSTOCK Eilley Bowers

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You’ve heard of the Gold Rush. You’ve maybe even heard of the Comstock Lode. But have you heard of the penniless Scottish lass who headed west, and while running a boarding house, struck the richest silver mine in American history? Eilley Bowers became one of the country’s wealthiest women. But Fortune is fickle, and the West was Wild! Join Katie on location at Bowers Mansion near Carson City, Nevada for this surprising, cinematic tale. Our …

19th century / Europe / North America / Scotland / Travel / United States