Womanica

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Latest Episodes:

Folk Heroes: Tomyris Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

Tomyris (unknown - 520 BCE) was the fierce queen who defended her kingdom against an invasion by Cyrus the Great, the king of Persia. After her victory, she captured the severed head of the conquered king and stuffed it into a bag of human blood. Her tale inspired many artists and poets, and she went on to become the subject of many classical paintings.

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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, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, and Abbey Delk. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

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Folk Heroes: Mother Shipton (Ursula Southeil) Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Ursula Southeil (c. 1488-1561), better known as “Mother Shipton,” was an English prophetess and seeress known for her predictions about the future. In the decades following her death, Ursula’s own life became the source of speculation and rumor. She was called Devil’s spawn, a witch, and a soothsayer in English folklore.

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This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions.

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Folk Heroes: Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer (c.1526 - 1588) embodied what it meant to be a heroine. As the owner of a shipyard, she played an important role in the 80 Years’ War against the Spanish government. Her bravery helped Haarlem survive a seven-month-long siege and demonstrated the importance of stories of strong women in Dutch history.

For further reading:

How the Dutch word of Kenau changed its meaning & what the siege of Haarlem has to do with it

The Siege of Haarlem, Kenau, and Creating a Heroine

The Aftermath of the 1573 Siege of Haarlem

This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions.

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Folk Heroes: Scheherazade Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

Scheherezade is the storyteller of the frame story for Arabian Nights or The Thousand and One Nights, a collection of stories that have been around since the 9th century. Scheherezade wove a new story night after night and left on a cliffhanger to enrapture and trick an evil sultan who wanted to take her life.

For Further Reading:

This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions.

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Folk Heroes: María Remedios del Valle Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

María Remedios del Valle (unknown - 1847) was a real woman whose story of fierce fighting and selfless sacrifice made her a revolutionary hero. Many Argentines consider her La Madre de la Patria – the mother of the Homeland.

This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions.

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Folk Heroes: Etta Place Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

Etta Place (c. 1880s) is a mystery. The rifle-toting bandit of the Old West ran with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as part of the notorious train-robbing Wild Bunch. But who was she before she joined the gang? The legends and theories that chase Etta Place through time paint a picture of a woman who lived a daring life outside the margins of history books.

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This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions.

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Folk Heroes: Grace O’Malley Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

Grace O’Malley (c. 1530-1603) is known as the iconic, pirate queen of Ireland. She is remembered through folklore as a skilled ship captain, a notorious rebel against the English monarchy, and a fierce pirate.

Further Reading

This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions.

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Folk Heroes: Ng Akew Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

Ng Akew (c. 1820 - c. 1914) was a resourceful woman who lived by sea, chased down pirates, and played a key role in shaping Hong Kong.

This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions.

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Folk Heroes: Catherine Monvoisin Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

Catherine Monvoisin (1640-1680) was a French fortune teller, midwife, and professional poisoner who found herself at the center of a witch hunt when her attempt to poison King Louis XIV went awry.

This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions.

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Folk Heroes: Sarraounia Mangou Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

Sarraounia Mangou (c. 1890s) was a fierce warrior queen who protected her people from colonial domination in West Africa.

This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.