Category: Politics

THE COUNTERFEIT COUNTESS Janina Mehlberg

When Jewish mathematician Pepi Mehlberg was offered a new identity as Countess Janina Suchodolska in Nazi-occupied Poland, she leapt at the chance. And then used it – to join the underground resistance, feed thousands of the Nazi’s prisoners every week, and eventually rescue over 10,000 Poles from Majdanek concentration camp. And she was just getting started. Our guests are Elizabeth White and Joanna Sliwa, authors of the new book The Counterfeit Countess: The Jewish Woman …

20th century / Europe / Politics / Religion / War

THE SOLID CITIZEN Frances Perkins

Frances Perkins, first female cabinet secretary in US history, was the mind (and the will) behind nearly every landmark policy of the Roosevelt administration’s New Deal – so why doesn’t anyone know her name? Award-winning author Stephanie Dray introduces us to the remarkable woman whose vision and relentless hard work would touch the life of every American for nearly a century.   Frances Perkins’ childhood home in Maine has recently been designated a National Historic …

20th century / Activists / First woman to... / Government / North America / Politics / United States

THE WILD CHILD Alice Roosevelt

When Alice Roosevelt’s dad became President of the United States, her family became the center of attention for the entire country (and the world) – and that was just how Alice liked it. Whether smoking on the White House roof, racing her bright red motorcar through the streets of Washington DC, or wearing her snake Emily Spinach as jewelry while attending Congressional Balls – Alice scandalized her parents and delighted the nation. But that was …

20th century / Activists / Government / North America / Politics / United States / Writers

THE BOSTON BRAHMIN Ethel Gibson Allen

Come with us to peak Gilded Age America! We’ll watch a charmingly unconventional love story unfold, cure yellow fever, stare at some incredible wallpaper, and explore fascinating reasons why women should NOT vote. Katie takes us on location to Ethel Gibson Allen’s Boston mansion, now the Gibson House Museum. Learn more about Ethel Gibson Allen and the Gibson House museum here. Find resources about the anti-suffrage movement in the US at the Library of Congress …

19th century / 20th century / North America / on-location / Politics / Travel / United States

THE MONGOL KHATUN Genghis Khan’s Daughters

Without the daughters of Genghis Khan, there would have been no Mongol Empire. Four women ruled over North, South, East, and West, in what would become the largest land empire in the history of the world. It’s a story you’ve never heard, because the sisters were literally cut out of the Mongol records. Join us with eminent Mongol scholar Jack Weatherford, who went searching for the missing story… and found it. illustrations of the Khatun …

12th century / 13th century / Asia / China / Government / India / Iran / Military / Mongolia / Politics / Russia / Syria / Travel / Turkey / Uzbekistan / War

THE QUEEN OF HAITI Marie-Louise Christophe

Say you join a revolution in the name of liberty and equality – then someone hands you a crown. Could you do more good with that power? Or will everything fall apart? Come with us to Haiti and across Europe in the twisty-turny tale of the Queen of Haiti, Marie-Louise Christophe. Katie’s guest is Vanessa Riley, author of Queen of Exiles.   To learn more about the sound recordings by anthropologist Alan Lomax, check out …

19th century / Black history / England / Europe / Government / North America / Politics / Religion / Travel / War

THE WOMAN KING Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut is probably the most successful female pharaoh Egypt ever had – so why doesn’t anyone know how to say her name? Discover the 18th Dynasty’s most fascinating, enigmatic ‘woman king’ with returning guest Egyptologist Kara Cooney. Dr. Kathlyn (Kara) Cooney is a professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture at UCLA. In her latest book, The Good Kings, she turns to five ancient Egyptian pharaohs – Khufu, Senwosret III, Akenhaten, Ramses II, and Taharqa – …

Africa / Ancient / Archaeology / Egypt / Government / Politics / Religion

THE USELESS HOUSEWIFE SCIENTIST Beverly Paigen

When the mothers of Love Canal learned that their neighborhood was built on a chemical dump, they launched into the fight of their lives – first to find the truth, then to escape their own homes. But without biologist Beverly Paigen willingly putting her career on the line, it never would have happened. Discover this inspiring – and infuriating – story with returning guest Keith O’Brien, New York Times bestselling author of author of Paradise …

20th century / Activists / North America / Politics / Science / United States

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 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