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How does a woman rise from the depths of poverty and orphanhood to become America's first female self-made millionaire, and what can her journey teach us about creating lasting change? In this episode of HerStance, we dive into the incredible life and profound legacy of Madam C.J. Walker. Born Sarah Breedlove in the challenging era of post-Civil War Louisiana, Madam Walker was a testament to unparalleled resilience, innovation, and determination. Her story, however, extends far beyond personal triumph. We'll explore her powerful commitment to using her wealth to empower others, connecting her groundbreaking philanthropy to the inspiring giving practices of today's richest Black women. Discover how affluent individuals, particularly women, are strategically shaping society through their values and resources. Most importantly, we'll underscore a crucial truth: you don't need a fortune to spark a movement. We'll reveal how every one of us is connected, and how even the smallest acts of kindness and contributions to community well-being hold immense power to create a ripple effect of positive change. 

https://www.biznews.com/good-hope-project/queen-amazing-life-madam-cj-walker

https://allthatsinteresting.com/black-billionaires

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jabariyoung/2025/04/02/the-worlds-black-billionaires-2025/

https://www.charitycompliancesolutions.com/men-vs-women-giving

https://givingcompass.org/article/giving-while-female-women-are-more-likely-to-donate-to-charities-than-men-of-equal-means

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You know the image: the "Lady with the Lamp," a beacon of compassion on the battlefields. But what if we told you Florence Nightingale, the foundational philosopher of modern nursing, was far more than just a quiet caregiver?

Welcome to HerStance, the podcast that dives deep into the lives of history's most impactful women. In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on Florence Nightingale, revealing the statistician, social reformer, and visionary who transformed medical care as we know it. Did you know she had a rescued owl named Athena who joined her on rounds? It's these fascinating, lesser-known layers that reveal the true breadth of her influence—an influence still profoundly felt in 21st-century healthcare.

Join us as we explore how Nightingale championed not only physical recovery but also the dignity and psychological well-being of patients, laying the groundwork for the modern hospital and the standards of care we expect today.

But our journey doesn't end in the past. We'll also confront the stark realities faced by today's Registered Nurses on the frontlines of volatile environments. From recent deployments abroad to the immense sacrifices and complex challenges in war and conflict zones, these healthcare heroes are vital in saving lives—yet often face woefully inadequate preparation and a lack of decision-making power. We'll delve into the physical and emotional toll, the constant struggle against overwhelming odds, and the profound moral and ethical dilemmas that define their extraordinary service.

For more information about what nurses do, how to become a nurse, challenges they face and so much more, visit https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/

For nurse advocacy groups to pay attention to: https://nursejournal.org/articles/nurse-advocacy-groups-to-pay-attention-to/

Resources: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Florence-Nightingale

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10092232/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9690662/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11969315/

https://blog.aarp.org/thinking-policy/ten-things-you-can-do-to-support-nurses

https://ojin.nursingworld.org/table-of-contents/volume-24-2019/number-3-september-2019/ethical-issues-faced-by-military-nurses/

To get a copy of Florence Nightingale's book "Notes on Nursing" -- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/766216.Notes_on_Nursing

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Last month, May 2025, the feminist movement lost a titan. We said goodbye to a 'second wave' pioneer whose relentless writing, fearless protesting, and groundbreaking national conversations fundamentally reshaped our understanding of sex, marital reproductive rights, workplace harassment, and domestic violence. These are sensitive topics, and we urge you to listen with care.

Today on HerStance, we honor the radical and impactful life of Susan Brownmiller, a prominent feminist and author of the 1960s and 1970s. We'll delve into her influential books, including her landmark bestseller "Against Our Will," and explore how her powerful legacy continues to resonate with us, the 'third wave,' as we carry the torch forward.

Books by Susan Brownmiller:  

*Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape; *Femininity; *In Our Time: Memoir of a Revolution; *Waverly Place; *Seeing Vietnam: Encounters of the Road and Heart; *My City Highrise Garden; *Shirley Chisholm: A Biography

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/35623.Susan_Brownmiller

#SusanBrownmiller, #RadicalFeminism, #SecondWaveFeminism, #RadicalNewYorkWomen, #NationalOrganizationforWomen, #SisterhoodIsPowerful, #InOurTime, #HerStancePodcast, #ReproductiveRights,  #AgainstOurWill, #WAP, #WomansRights, #HerstanceWithSandra

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/b/brownmiller-time.html

https://thenewhistoria.org/editorial/susan-brownmiller-s-radical-life/

https://msmagazine.com/2024/03/01/we-have-had-abortions-petition-spring-1972/

https://www.nytimes.com/1970/03/15/archives/sisterhood-is-powerful-a-member-of-the-womens-liberation-movement.html

Music Clip: Something Greater  by All Good Folks

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 Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) – a mouthful, we know! But this cutting-edge wireless technology, where signals rapidly "hop" between different frequencies, is probably in your pocket right now. It's the secret sauce behind your Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth, and a vital tool for military security. Pretty cool, right?

But as usual, here on HerStance, we're about to unveil a little-known yet incredibly important aspect of this invention. Intrigued? What if we told you that the brilliant mind behind this groundbreaking technology was once known as "the most beautiful woman in the world"?

Welcome back to HerStance, where we empower women and allies by amplifying the stories of historical female trailblazers, inspiring action and collaboration for a more equitable future. Join us as we dive into the incredible, often overlooked, legacy of Hedy Lamarr – inventor, actress, and true visionary. 

#HerStancePodcast, #HedyLamarr, #HiddenFigures, #FemaleTrailblazers, #FrequencyHopping, #WirelessTechnology,#SpreadSpectrum, #WomenInSTEM, #HollywoodInventor, #TechHistory

 

APA: Cheslak, C. (2018, August 30). Hedy Lamarr. Retrieved from https://www.womenshistory.org/students-and-educators/biographies/hedy-lamarr

MLA: Cheslak, Colleen. “Hedy Lamarr.” Hedy Lamarr, National Women's History Museum, 30 Aug. 2018, www.womenshistory.org/students-and-educators/biographies/hedy-lamarr.

Chicago:Cheslak, Colleen. "Hedy Lamarr." Hedy Lamarr. August 30, 2018. https://www.womenshistory.org/students-and-educators/biographies/hedy-lamarr.

 Music Clips:  All Good Folks, "Something Greater"

Photo courtesy Chuck Staley

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Before diving into today's complex headlines and the swirling debates of social media, let's take a HerStance back to the foundational principles of our government – guided by two women who defied the odds. This episode explores the remarkable journeys of Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first and second women appointed to the Supreme Court. 

Despite their wildly different backgrounds, both possessed an unyielding self-confidence, a profound belief in their own capabilities, and a fierce refusal to be deemed inferior by the men around them. 

We'll trace O'Connor's steady, often subtle, path to incremental social change and Ginsburg's more expansive vision of the Constitution as a dynamic, living document of American inclusivity. 

Discover how these "sisters in law," though diverging in their approach, were united in their pursuit of justice for women. 

Join us as we uncover their inspiring legacies and encourage you to read the Constitution for yourself, gaining a crucial new perspective on how our government functions in a world they could never have envisioned. 

For an interactive resource to engage with the US Constitution and landmark cases of the US Supreme Court, visit https://www.annenbergclassroom.org/constitution/

Music provided by All Good Folks "Something Greater"

#SCOTUS, #Ginsburg, #RBG, #OConnor, #SupremeCourtWomen, #SistersInLaw, #HirshmanBiography, #HerStance, 

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 Forget what you think you know about Champagne! This episode of HerStance uncorks a hidden truth, challenging the long-held belief about who really invented the crucial riddling process of the Méthode Champenoise. Join us as we journey from the vineyards of Reims, France, to the inspiring story of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, the "Grande Dame of Champagne." Discover how this visionary woman not only revolutionized bubbly but also became a savvy international businesswoman, proving that the future of wine – and innovation – is undeniably female. Plus, stick around for this week's HerStance Challenge to unlock your own inner innovator! 

FREE Download Worksheet for how to Take on the Traits of the Greats at https://theleap.co/creator/Herstance/

Music by All Good Folks; Something Greater, Version 16029-02-39

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The remarkable journey of Dr. Maria Montessori reveals a woman who defied every boundary placed before her in 19th century Italy. This episode of HerStance explores how this determined pioneer transformed from a girl who wasn't considered exceptional in early grades to becoming one of Italy's first female physicians—facing hostility and harassment every step of the way.

Dr. Montessori's revolutionary educational method was born from her work with marginalized children in Rome's slums, where she created child-sized environments that put learning directly in children's hands. What began as an experiment with "practically feral" children blossomed into a global movement that continues to shape education across continents today. We trace her fascinating path from Italy to Spain to India, including her complex relationship with Mussolini and her eventual exile for refusing to compromise her beliefs about peace and education.

Beyond her educational innovations, Montessori developed a profound philosophy linking peace within individuals to peace in society. "Establishing lasting peace is the work of education. All politics can do is keep us out of war," she famously declared. Her vision resonates with ancient wisdom traditions and modern psychology that recognize the connection between inner harmony and outer peace. Join us for this captivating exploration of a truly revolutionary woman, and discover a special 30-day mindfulness challenge to help find your own inner peace. Ready to change your perspective? Subscribe, download the free worksheet from https://theleap.co/creator/herstance, and share your mindfulness journey with us!

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Today, on HerStance, we're diving deep into the life of a woman who didn't just break barriers, she obliterated them. We'll trace her journey from slavery to the forefront of the women's rights movement, and examine how her fight for intersectionality fuels the fire of today's feminism. 

There are other episodes, 1 - 11 on YouTube at  http://www.youtube.com/@HerStance

So definitely check those episodes out – courageous women like Eve and Mary Magdelene of the Christian Bible, Medusa from Greek Mythology, and the real story of Pocahontas.

Music by All Good Folks; Something Greater, Version 16029-02-39

Intersectionality Worksheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m0udZcu8pMx4p0wHuH54qNkNYiO-hiKM/view?usp=drive_link

Sojourner Truth's 1851 Speech - two versions                 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I-wywqFLZfKmJQcrdZZ5qihD01Ln03yk/view?usp=drive_link

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HerStance isn't just about history. It's about drawing powerful parallels to the social issues we face now. We explore their challenges, their triumphs, and most importantly, their stance. And each episode culminates in a 'HerStance Challenge' – a practical step you can take to create change in your own community.

Join us every two weeks as we reclaim these narratives and build a legacy of true equality. Be inspired. Be informed. Be part of the movement.

You can get started right now by watching or listening to the first 11 episodes on YouTube  http://www.youtube.com/@HerStance

Show your support!  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2463980/support

Music from #Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/something-greater

License code: CSWNP9DWP01XAX19

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