Ladies First (Not Really)

Ruth was born in 1937 in Spotsylvania. Join me for this 2 part interview where Ruth walks me through attending Chancellor Elementary when it was new, her life living on Route 3, segregation in the county, medical care for women, WWII, working at the Sylvania Plant, and more! This is a rare opportunity for first-hand insight into life in Spotsylvania from late 1930's-1970's.

Ruth was born in 1937 in Spotsylvania. Join me for this 2 part interview where Ruth walks me through attending Chancellor Elementary when it was new, her life living on Route 3, segregation in the county, medical care for women, WWII, working at the Sylvania Plant, and more! This is a rare opportunity for first-hand insight into life in Spotsylvania from late 1930's-1970's.

The Chimneys is an 18th-century home in Fredericksburg, Virginia that holds an extensive history from American Independence, Civil War, and a love story of a future United States President. It still stands strong today and is home to Biliken's Smokehouse.

Sources:

Currier & Ives. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va. Dec 13th. [New York: Currier & Ives] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, Waud, Alfred R. , Artist. Our soldiers in streets of Fredericksburg / drawn by Mr. A.R. Waud. [January 3] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .Chappel, Alonzo, Artist. Attack on Fredericksburg. [December] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .Fredericksburg, Va., from across Rappahannock River. [February] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .Mrs. Chester Arthur, half-length portrait, facing left. [Photographed between 1857 and 1870?, printed later] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .Arthur, Chester Alan -1886. [Between 1861 and 1865, printed later?] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .Ferris, Jean Leon Gerome, Artist. Betsy Ross,/ J.L.G. Ferris. Cleveland, Ohio: The Foundation Press, Inc., July 28. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .

This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107

Martha Peyton, an 80-year old former slave was accused of selling liquor during Prohibition. Ten attorneys stepped in to save her. Listen to find out what happens to Ms. Peyton.

Sources:

The Daily Star. (January 19, 1926). Newspapers.com.Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-star/187830090/

The Daily Star. (January 5, 1926). . Newspapers.com.Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-star/187934635/

The Daily Star. (January 19, 1926). . Newspapers.com.Retrieved January 1, 2026, fromhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-star/187830027/

This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107

A baby girl was left on a front porch in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1926 and spent the first three months of her life in Mary Washington Hospital where she eventually became known as Miss Mary Washington. She was the city's first baby recorded in 1926 and FXBG's own Baby Jane Doe.

Sources:

Newspapers.com, The Free Lance-Star, January 7, 1926, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star/187969025/

The Daily Star. (April 23, 1926). . Newspapers.com.Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-star/187969114/

SpotsylvaniaMemory, Facebook, Retrieved, January 1, 2026.

https://www.facebook.com/100064316724589/posts/2657670600938698/             

This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107

Kenmore was the home of Betty Washington, sister of George Washington. In 1922, it was on the market for commercialization. A group of ladies formed the Kenmore Association and celebrated their 100th anniversary of saving Kenmore in May 2025. This episode tells the story of Kenmore and the association that saved it to be enjoyed today!

Sources:

Library of Congress

Photographs by Sarah Dye

This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107

The purpose of this podcast is to highlight every day women's lives and honor their struggles, accomplishments, endurance, and courage. This episode is part three in a 3-part series. It's an interview with a 94-year old woman named Violet Pennick. In this episode she shares her life story of being born in 1931, growing up on a farm in Roanoke, Virginia, impacts of WWII to her family, married life in the 1950's, her time as a professional woman, and a message for the women of today. We hope you'll enjoy!

This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107

This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107

The purpose of this podcast is to highlight every day women's lives and honor their struggles, accomplishments, endurance, and courage. This episode is part two in a 3-part series. It's an interview with a 94-year old woman named Violet Pennick. In this episode she shares her life story of being born in 1931, growing up on a farm in Roanoke, Virginia, impacts of WWII to her family, married life in the 1950's, her time as a professional woman, and a message for the women of today. We hope you'll enjoy!

This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107

This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107

The purpose of this podcast is to highlight every day women's lives and honor their struggles, accomplishments, endurance, and courage. This episode is part one in a 3-part series. It's an interview with a 94-year old woman named Violet Pennick. In this episode she shares her life story of being born in 1931, growing up on a farm in Roanoke, Virginia, impacts of WWII to her family, married life in the 1950's, her time as a professional woman, and a message for the women of today. We hope you'll enjoy!

This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107

The ducking stool also known as “engine of correction” has early origins but was popular in England and America in the 17th- into the early 19th centuries. It was designed for women, who were over opinionated, outwardly critical, slanderous, of ill repute, selling spirited liquor without a license, witchcraft, and known as "scolds". These women would be dunked in a nearby body of water as a public spectacle as punishment.

Historic Fredericksburg, Virginia was no exception and frequently used the ducking stool in the Rappahannock River. Listen to this episode here and visit my blog at rebelliouscorsets.com to learn more about this story.

*This podcast is making no claim to copyrighted material it is using for transformative purposes, such as commentary, news reporting, review, and criticism, which is protected under the Fair Use Doctrine, 17 U.S.C. § 107Sources:

Richmond Times-Dispatch. (1948, June 13). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/richmond-times-dispatch/13835/

The Daily Star. (1918, September 17). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-daily-star/29175/

‌‌The Free Lance-Star. (1953, January 21). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-free-lance-star/4274/

‌Article clipped from The Free Lance-Star. (2004, July 3). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star/185841056/

‌The Minneapolis Journal. (1912, December 23). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-minneapolis-journal/1660/

‌‌The Democratic Age. (1885, July 27). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-democratic-age/28628/

‌Ainsworth Star-Journal and Brown County Democrat. (1950, January 26). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/ainsworth-star-journal-and-brown-county/24559/

‌The Portsmouth Star. (1905, August 19). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-portsmouth-star/32724/

‌The Daily News Leader. (1985, October 14). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-daily-news-leader/3736/

‌Ledger-Star. (1962, December 11). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/ledger-star/34383/

‌Article clipped from The Democratic Age. (1884, October 2). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-democratic-age/185846680/

‌The statutes at large; : being a collection of all the laws of Virginia, from the first session of the legislature, in the year 1619. : Published pursuant to ... v.2. (2025). HathiTrust. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hxh5u4&seq=1&q1=brabling&start=1The Daily Star. (1918, September 17). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-daily-star/29175/