She Changed History Live: Celebrating Revolutionary Women

In this special live episode recorded at the Open University's International Women's Day celebrations, hosts Vicki and Simon of the 'She Changed History' podcast present two inspiring stories of women who have shaped history. Vicki shares the extraordinary life of Savitribai Phule, an Indian social reformer who championed education for lower caste girls and fought against societal injustices in 19th century India. Simon recounts the groundbreaking achievements of Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist whose work laid the foundations for modern programming languages and made computing more accessible. The episode features an engaging introduction by Jo Dyer, Director of Learner and Discovery Services at the Open University, and includes insightful discussions on gender barriers, education, and the enduring impact of these remarkable women.

00:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement
00:50 Opening Remarks by Jo Dyer
01:42 Introduction to She Changed History Podcast
02:33 Audience Participation and Famous Women in History
04:35 Savitri Bai Phule: Early Life and Marriage
07:39 Educational Reforms and Challenges
14:58 Social Reforms and Legacy
20:35 Empowerment Through Education
21:45 Introducing Grace Hopper
22:46 Early Life and Education
25:18 Pioneering Work in Computer Science
27:28 The First Compiler and Beyond
33:56 Legacy and Influence
39:27 Final Thoughts and Reflections