THE QUEEN OF CHOCOLATE Luisa Spagnoli

Luisa Spagnoli overcame childhood poverty – and the infamously misogynistic fascism of Mussolini’s Italy – to become one of the most famous and influential chocolatiers (and fashion designers!) in European history. But how did she do it?! Olivia interviews Dr. Diana Garvin, author of Feeding Fascism.   Diana Garvin is an Assistant Professor of Italian at the University of Oregon.  Her first book, Feeding Fascism: The Politics of Women’s Food Work, came out in February 2022. Garvin often writes articles …

20th century / Europe / Inventors / Italy / Politics

THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 100 WOMEN: 100th Episode Special

For too long, the story of human history has been a story of men. But how would the story change if we put the ‘lost women’ center stage? In our 100th Episode Special, we tell the whole history of the world, in one sweeping narrative, through all 100 What’sHerName women! Your purchases help support the podcast!

Special Episodes

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 PHOTOJOURNALIST Catherine Leroy

When 21 year-old Catherine Leroy hopped on a plane in Paris, headed for Vietnam, she had no idea what she was getting herself into. Despite having no experience of either war or photography, Leroy was determined to make her mark as a world-class combat photojournalist. And somehow, against all odds – and against massive opposition from most of her male colleagues, top-ranking military officers, and the press itself – she did it. But at what …

20th century / Asia / Europe / France / Journalists / Military / Travel / Vietnam / War

THE NATURALIST Maria Sibylla Merian

Germany was still burning witches when Maria Sibylla Merian daringly filled her 17th-century home with spiders, moths, and all kinds of toxic plants. Bold choices saved her from accusations of witchcraft–and from a mundane life. Merian’s fascination with metamorphosis led her all the way to the rainforests of South America, where she recorded countless new species, 130 years before Darwin! Katie interviews our guest Kim Todd, author of Chrysalis: Maria Sibylla Merian and the Secrets …

17th century / Europe / First woman to... / Germany / Science / South America / Suriname / Travel

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 UNVEILED Huda Shaarawi

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An Egyptian child bride awakens to the reality of life in a harem, and dreams of revolution. And that’s just the beginning! Huda Shaarawi led thousands of women in a movement to liberate themselves from the harem, the veil, and all inequality. But in 1920s Egypt, how far could they get? Our guest is Professor Ayfer Karakaya-Stump at the College of William & Mary. Ayfer Karakaya-Stump was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. An Associate …

19th century / 20th century / Africa / Egypt / First woman to... / Politics / Writers