Womanica

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Latest Episodes:

Divas: Ruan Lingyu Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

Ruan Lingyu (1910-1935) was a Chinese silent film actress known as the “Greta Garbo of China.” Considered one of the most prominent film stars of the 1930s, her roles, exceptional acting, and her suicide at the age of 24 led to her status as an icon of Chinese Cinema.

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This month, we're diving into the "Divas" of history, examining how the label has been used from many angles, whether describing women pejoratively... or with admiration.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

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Divas: Ava Gardner Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

Ava Gardner (1922-1990) was an American actress from the Golden Age of Hollywood. She first gained notoriety for her appearance in the 1946 film noir “The Killers.”

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This month, we're diving into the "Divas" of history, examining how the label has been used from many angles, whether describing women pejoratively... or with admiration.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divas: Sinéad O'Connor Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Sinéad O’Connor (1966-2023) was a singer and activist who reached peak popularity in the 1990s. She is best remembered for her cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” and for ripping up a photo of Pope John Paul II on SNL.

For Further Reading:

This month, we're diving into the "Divas" of history, examining how the label has been used from many angles, whether describing women pejoratively... or with admiration.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divas: Anita O'Day Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Anita O’Day (1919-2006) was an Irish-American jazz singer known for her distinct and agile voice, and for her vices. She was dubbed the “Jezebel of Jazz,” and had a successful musical career that spanned decades.

For Further Reading:

This month, we're diving into the "Divas" of history, examining how the label has been used from many angles, whether describing women pejoratively... or with admiration.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divas: Sophia Loren Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

Sophia Loren (1934 - present) is an Italian actress and sex symbol with a career spanning more than 70 years. She is widely considered to be one of the last surviving major stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema.

For Further Reading:

This month, we're diving into the "Divas" of history, examining how the label has been used from many angles, whether describing women pejoratively... or with admiration.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divas: Anita Mui Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

Anita Mui (1963-2004) was a Hong Kong singer and actress whose contributions to the Cantopop music scene earned her the nicknames “the Madonna of the East” and the “daughter of Hong Kong.”

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This month, we're diving into the "Divas" of history, examining how the label has been used from many angles, whether describing women pejoratively... or with admiration.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divas: Yoshiko Yamaguchi Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

Yoshiko Yamaguchi (1920-2014) was a Japanese actress and singer who rose to fame in China during the 1930s and 1940s. Her Japanese identity was hidden and used in propaganda films to promote Japanese influence in occupied territories. After the war, Yamaguchi became a prominent Japanese politician and advocate for Sino-Japanese reconciliation.

For Further Reading:

This month, we're diving into the "Divas" of history, examining how the label has been used from many angles, whether describing women pejoratively... or with admiration.

Follow Wonder Media Network:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Go-Getters: Ann Bannon Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

Ann Bannon (1932 - present) is a lesbian pulp fiction author. The height of her success was in the late 50s and early 60s with her paperback books like Odd Girl Out, which gave a voice to closeted queer women around the country.

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This month we're talking about Go-Getters. Women who purposefully—or accidentally!—acquired life-changing wealth, good fortune, or influence.

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Go-Getters: Jovita Idar Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

Jovita Idar (1885-1946) was a Mexican-American journalist, editor, and educator who dedicated her life to pursuing civil rights for her local community on the Mexico-Texas border. She protested for women’s education, Tejano rights, and held back a group of Texas Rangers from destroying her newspaper’s printing press.

For Further Reading:

This month we're talking about Go-Getters. Women who purposefully—or accidentally!—acquired life-changing wealth, good fortune, or influence.

Follow Wonder Media Network:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Go-Getters: June Mathis Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

June Mathis (1887-1927) was an American screenwriter who became the first female executive for MGM.

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