Sorry for last week's unexpected no-show. We had some major technical difficulties, but this is the episode that was supposed to air. To celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics, we look at the women of Italy. Amy covers Veronica Franco, an Italian poet and courtesan in 16th-century Venice. Shelby discusses Beatrice Cenci, an Italian noblewoman imprisoned and executed for killing her father. (Spoiler - He deserved it.)

These poor women were just trying to do good things, but bullies told them to "Get Outta Here!" We're covering women who were exhiled. Amy discusses Ranavalona III, the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar. (We have an episode about her grandmother in our Meanies episode.) Shelby talks about Clara Campoamor, the Spanish politician, lawyer, and writer, considered by some the mother of the Spanish feminist movement.

They say, if you build it, they will come, and these ladies did just that! Shelby talks about Fatima al-Fihri, the Arab woman who is credited with founding the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, and eventually a university, in Fez, Morocco. Amy tells us about Sophia Hayden, an American architect and first female graduate of the four-year program in architecture at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Every woman in the history of the world has been accused of something that she didn't do, but these women served time for doing nothing wrong at all. Shelby talks about Katharina Kepler, an herbalist who was accused of witchcraft in 1615 and again in 1620. Amy discusses Florence Maybrick, an American woman convicted in the United Kingdom of murdering her husband.

Grab a sweater, because today we're covering Ice Queens. Shelby covers Empress of Russia, Anna Ioannovna, aka Anna of Russia. Amy informs us of Empress Dowager Cixi, who had de facto but periodical control of the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty. That's right. Two Empresses!

Life has been life-ing for your hosts, so here's an episode to assure you we're alive and working through it.

Repost and Vacation Alert

We'll see you with a new Herstory on Jan 8th. Happy Holidays!

Welcome to Women of the North Pole! Amy covers Ann Bancroft, the first woman to reach the North Pole. Shelby talks about the first all-women relay expedition to the North Pole. We're getting super niche here, people.

Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP

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In this Party of One, Shelby discusses one of her loves - solo travel. She was inspired by a YouTuber, Noraly Schoenmaker, who goes by the handle Itchy Boots. (Check her out!) Shelby then discusses the feminist origin story behind LA's Hotel Figueroa.

Amy is out, so you get one-on-one time with Shelby as she discusses how public spaces are not built for women's bodies and needs.

Herstorians - It's a blast from the past! Please enjoy this episode from 2019 (Ep 21) on Native Americans. Gobble, gobble Herstorians. It's our Thanksgiving episode, and we're dedicating it to lady Native Americans. Shelby discusses Dr Susan LaFlesche. That's right. She's a doctor. Amy tells us about civil rights activist Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich. She strings words together beautifully. Grab a piece of pie, and take a listen.