Exploring Artemisia Gentileschi: A Tale of Resilience and Artistic Mastery

In this episode of 'She Changed History,' the hosts discuss the inspiring story of Artemisia Gentileschi, a pioneering Baroque painter from 16th century Italy. Born into a family of artists, Artemisia overcame personal trauma and societal challenges to make a significant impact in the art world. The episode delves into her major works, such as 'Judith Slaying Holofernes' and 'Susanna and the Elders,' highlighting how she redefined the portrayal of women in art. The hosts also draw parallels to contemporary figures like comedian Katherine Ryan, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of challenging societal norms and expectations. Artemisia's legacy is celebrated not just for her technical prowess but also for her defiant spirit and enduring influence on the art world.

Trigger warning: sexual assault and rape

Other episodes mentioned: Grace O'Malley and Judith Leyster 

00:00 Introduction to Six: The Musical Experience
00:51 Discovering the Creators: Toby and Lucy
01:56 New Musical Adventures
02:40 Technical Difficulties and Introductions
03:00 Diving into Artemisia Gentileschi's Life
04:42 Early Life and Challenges
08:12 Artistic Journey and Personal Struggles
14:51 Legacy and Iconography
17:46 Analyzing Emotions in Art
21:03 The Practicality of Self-Portraits
22:36 Judith Slaying Holofernes: A Comparative Study
24:42 Susanna and the Elders: A Different Perspective
29:26 Artemisia's Career and Legacy
33:02 The Dinner Party: Celebrating Women in History
35:54 Conclusion and Call to Action

Grace O'Malley: The Pirate Queen of Ireland

In this lively episode, the hosts delve into the fascinating life of Grace O'Malley, also known as Gráinne Ní Mháille or the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Born in 1530, Grace defied the social norms of her time to become an accomplished mariner, fearless leader, and shrewd political tactician. The episode explores her early life, her rebellious spirit, her encounters with the English, and her audacious meeting with Queen Elizabeth I. Relying on various biographies and historical sources, the hosts uncover how Grace O'Malley's relentless determination and strategic prowess made her one of the most formidable female figures in 16th century Ireland. Listeners are taken on a captivating journey through tales of piracy, political manoeuvring, and courageous exploits on the high seas.

Other episodes mentioned: Ching Shih and Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin

Sources:
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/grace-o-malley-pirate-history-fact-fiction-legend

https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiegoldsmith/2022/11/22/irelands-most-famous-pirate-queen-grace-omalley/

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Grace-OMalley/487538

https://www.womensmuseumofireland.ie/exhibits/blog-post-title-one-jwrz7

https://www.irishpost.com/gallery/irelands-pirate-queen-twelve-fascinating-facts-about-legendary-grace-omalley-129406

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_O%27Malley

https://www.graceomalley.com/index.php/grace-omalley/time-line#:~:text=1597%3A%20At%20the%20'great%20age,1603%3A%20Grace%20dies%20at%20Rockfleet.

Goodnight stories for Rebel Girls

Anne Chamber book Grace O Malley: The biography of Irelands pirate queen 1530-1603

00:00 Introduction and British Tipping Culture
01:03 A Pirate's Tale: Grace O'Malley
03:15 Grace O'Malley's Early Life and Family
06:50 Grace O'Malley's Rise to Power
09:56 Pirate Queen's Strategies and Wealth
14:16 English Expansion and Grace's Defiance
16:43 Grace O'Malley's Rebellion Against the English
17:41 The Abduction of Christopher St. Lawrence
20:14 Grace O'Malley's Conflict with Richard Bingham
25:50 Grace's Desperate Plea to Queen Elizabeth I
31:25 Grace O'Malley's Legacy and Final Years

Queen Amanirenas: The Fierce Leader Who Resisted Rome

In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Vicky and Simon delve into the story of Queen Amanirenas, an iconic ruler from the Kingdom of Kush in ancient Africa. They explore her remarkable resistance against the Roman Empire under Augustus, detailing her leadership, strategic prowess, and the societal and historical context of her reign. The episode highlights archaeological findings and ancient writings that reveal how Amanirenas, despite losing an eye in battle, led her people to a peace treaty that preserved Kush’s independence and laid the groundwork for centuries of prosperity.

Other episodes referenced: Zenobia

00:00 Intro and Banter
01:20 Setting the Scene: Queen Amans and the Roman Empire
03:25 Historical Context: The Kingdom of Kush
05:38 The Rise of Queen Amans
10:28 Conflict with the Roman Empire
13:49 The Kushite-Roman Wars
17:38 Roman Invasion of Kush
17:59 Queen Amanirenas' Resistance
18:42 Strategic Advantages of Kush
20:30 Negotiations and Peace Treaty
21:36 Legacy of Queen Amanirenas
23:07 Archaeological Discoveries
27:40 Comparisons to Modern Leadership
32:30 Conclusion and Reflections

The Unveiling of Judith Leyster: A Forgotten Dutch Master

In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Cara and Vicky delve into the overlooked story of Judith Leyster, a remarkable female painter from the Dutch Golden Age.  Despite her significant contributions to art, Judith was nearly erased from history due to a combination of gender bias and fraudulent attribution of her work to more famous male contemporaries. Her signature, a star-like 'JL,' was often painted over to attribute her works to the acclaimed painter Frans Hals. The hosts explore her life, struggles, achievements, and the eventual rediscovery and reinstatement of her works, shedding light on the systemic issues that kept her out of historical records for centuries. 

Sources today are:

https://www.britannica.com/art/genre-painting

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/7-amazing-facts-about-judith-leyster/GgUBhb-z8As2Jg?hl=en

https://www.artnews.com/list/art-news/artists/who-was-judith-leyster-and-why-was-she-so-important-1234652971/leysters-name-is-forgotten-but-not-her-paintings/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Golden_Age_painting

https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1485.html

https://nmwa.org/art/artists/judith-leyster/#:~:text=Although%20well%20known%20during%20her,%E2%80%9CFrans%20Hals.%E2%80%9D%20This%20discovery

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-bites-judith-leyster-rediscovery-2457671

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dutch-golden-ages-female-painters-finally-receive-show-their-own-180973533/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20press%20release,van%20Schurman%20and%20Alida%20Withoos.

00:00 Party Aftermath and Dog Talk
01:03 Introduction to the Story
02:08 A Victorian Art Auction
04:01 Judith Leyster's Early Life
05:01 The Dutch Golden Age
06:59 Judith's Artistic Training
10:10 Joining the Painters Guild
11:05 Guild Dispute with Frans Hals
13:54 The Role of Women in the Dutch Golden Age
15:20 Judith Leyster's Artistic Techniques
17:05 Marriage and Family Life
19:17 Rediscovery and Recognition
22:11 The Impact of Misattribution
25:11 Legacy and Modern Recognition
28:43 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

The Intriguing Legacy of Dr. James Barry: Medicine, Identity, and History

This episode introduces the compelling story of Dr. James Barry, a pioneering medical professional in British history whose gender identity remains a topic of speculation. Born Margaret Ann Bulkley in 1795 in Cork, Ireland, Barry pursued a successful medical career by presenting as a man, despite women being barred from such roles at the time. Known for performing one of the first successful cesarean sections and campaigning tirelessly for better sanitation and medical care in army barracks and prisons, Barry's legacy is marked by their professional accomplishments and enigmatic life. The episode touches on the nuances of Barry's gender identity, the challenges faced, and their ultimate impact on the medical field and society.

Other episodes mentioned:
17. Elizabeth Garret Anderson
11. Empress Matilda
10. Lise Meitner

Sources:
The National Archives
A biography by Rachel Holmes called Scanty Particulars: The Life of Dr
James Barry
The London Guides blog article about museums and galleries of London
The University of Edinburgh alumni website
The biography Dr James Barry: A Woman Ahead of Her Time by Dr
Michael du Preez and Jeremy Dronfield
The Wellcome collection’s copies of documents from the Public Records
Office

00:00 Introduction to the F1 Craze
00:39 Welcoming Cara and Vicky
01:05 Introducing Dr. James Barry
03:31 Barry's Early Life and Education
08:00 Barry's Medical Training and Challenges
15:23 Barry's Career and Gender Identity
18:39 Margaret's Letter and Career Beginnings
19:19 Cape Town Deployment and Early Achievements
20:11 Barry's Medical Milestones
21:02 Campaigns for Sanitation and Overcrowding
21:24 Pub Trivia and Personal Anecdotes
23:00 Barry's Temperament and Duels
24:03 Conflicts with Florence Nightingale
26:09 Barry's Global Impact and Promotions
28:45 Retirement and Death
30:13 Posthumous Speculations and Legacy
34:32 Reflections on Gender and Identity
38:04 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements

Caroline Norton's Battle: Reforming Women’s Rights in Victorian England

In this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Cara and Vicky dive into the life and relentless struggle of Caroline Norton, a Victorian-era woman whose tragic marital circumstances led her to become a pivotal figure in legal reforms for women's rights in England. The episode discusses Norton's unfortunate marriage with George Norton, highlighting the domestic violence, legal battles, and Caroline's tireless efforts to change child custody laws and married women's property rights. The hosts emphasize Caroline's impactful writings and pamphlets, her relationship with high society figures, and her crucial role in the passing of the Custody of Infants Act and the Marriage and Divorce Act. Despite not being a feminist by today’s standards, Norton's advocacy laid foundational changes that significantly improved women's legal standing in the 19th century.


Sources:
Difficult Women by Helen Lewis 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/norton_caroline.shtml
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Caroline-Norton
https://law-school.open.ac.uk/news/meet-caroline-norton-fighting-women%E2%80%99s-rights-it-was-even-cool
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/caroline-norton/
https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/norton/nc-biography.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whigs_(British_political_party)


00:00 Introduction and Friendly Banter
01:54 Introducing Caroline Norton
03:43 Caroline's Early Life and Family Struggles
10:42 Marriage to George Norton
13:17 The Unfortunate Marriage
15:00 Caroline's Fight for Independence
16:01 The Affair and Legal Battles
20:32 The Male-Dominated Trial
22:26 Caroline's Struggle for Custody
24:25 Using Writing as a Weapon
25:26 The Fight for Legal Reform
31:41 A Heartbreaking Loss
33:01 Caroline's Continued Battle
35:56 The Marriage and Divorce Act
39:36 Caroline's Legacy
40:54 Final Thoughts and Reflections
43:20 Closing Remarks

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

The Untold Story of Geraldine 'Jerrie' Cobb: Pioneering Female Aviator and Space Advocate

This episode of 'She Changed History' dives into the remarkable life of Geraldine 'Jerrie' Cobb, an extraordinary American aviator who paved the way for women in aviation and space exploration. Cobb's story is one of unrelenting determination and self-belief. Despite passing all the physical and psychological tests for becoming an astronaut, she was barred from space due to societal and institutional sexism. Cobb, along with other female pilots, took their fight to Congress in the early 1960s, ultimately contributing to the broader civil rights movement. Though she never made it to space, her legacy lives on in the opportunities she created for future generations of female astronauts.

Sources today are:

The New York Times

Nasa.gov

The Independent newspaper

RealClearPublicAffairs

the washington Post

and the websites of

the NY Metropolitan Library

and the US Congress

00:00 Introduction and Excitement
01:26 Meet Geraldine 'Jerry' Cobb
02:23 Early Life and Passion for Flying
06:29 Challenges and Determination
08:45 Recognition and Achievements
14:57 NASA and the Mercury 13 Program
20:05 The Grueling Tests of Aspiring Astronauts
22:22 Facing Structural Sexism in NASA
23:12 Taking the Fight to Congress
29:40 The Impact of the Civil Rights Act
33:34 Jerry Cobb's Legacy and Recognition
39:11 Honoring Jerry Cobb's Contributions

Recorded July 2024 (One of our first ever episodes!) 

Althea Gibson: A champion against the odds 

In this episode, hosts Simon and Vicky dive into the inspiring life and career of Althea Gibson, the first Black woman to win a Grand Slam tennis tournament. They explore her challenging upbringing in a sharecropping family, her move to Harlem, and the various obstacles she overcame due to segregation and racism. Despite numerous barriers, Gibson excelled in tennis, winning prestigious titles like Wimbledon and the US Open, and becoming a trailblazer for future generations. The episode also touches on the societal context of her era, her subsequent efforts to mentor young athletes, and her lasting legacy in the world of sports.

Book referenced: I always wanted to be somebody, Gibson (1958)

00:00 Getting Started: Introduction and Excitement
00:29 Introducing Althea Gibson
02:56 The Harsh Realities of Sharecropping
04:42 Althea's Early Life and Move to Harlem
08:38 Discovering Paddle Tennis
12:08 Rising Through the Ranks
13:27 Breaking Barriers in Tennis
15:23 The Hidden Barriers in Tennis
15:56 Modern Voter Suppression Tactics
16:17 A Heated Debate on Voting Systems
18:31 Althea Gibson's Historic Invitation
19:29 Triumphs and Challenges Abroad
20:44 Dominating the Grand Slams
23:14 The Harsh Realities of Amateur Tennis
26:23 A Legacy Beyond Tennis
29:50 Honoring Althea Gibson's Impact
31:28 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

The Remarkable Reign of Queen Zenobia: Defying Rome and Commanding an Empire

Got a story? Emails us at [email protected]

Other episodes mentioned today: Ching Shih and Empress Matilda

In this episode of 'She Changed History,' we dive into the extraordinary story of Queen Zenobia of Palmyra, who lived nearly 2000 years ago. Zenobia challenged the might of the Roman Empire, expanding her territory. Known for her intelligence, strategic prowess, and diplomatic skills, she led her army with unmatched determination and gained significant power despite the constraints of her time. However, her ambition eventually caught the attention of the Roman Emperor Aurelian, leading to a series of bloody battles. The episode highlights the historical significance of women in leadership roles and aims to correct the often beauty-focused narrative surrounding women in ancient history.

Sources today are:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odaenathus
https://www.worldhistory.org/Crisis_of_the_Third_Century/
https://www.britannica.com/place/Syria/Hellenistic-and-Roman-periods
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzBbpCG7gvM Zenobia the Warrior Queen of the Palmyrene Empire
https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1692/roman-armor--weapons/
https://www.worldhistory.org/Crisis_of_the_Third_Century/
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/zenobia-queen-of-palmyra/
https://www.worldhistory.org/zenobia/
https://althistory.fandom.com/wiki/Zenobia_(Vastator_Orbis)

00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:15 Celebrating Women in STEM
01:12 Introducing Queen Zenobia
03:14 Zenobia's Early Life and Heritage
04:49 Marriage and Rise to Power
10:34 Zenobia's Leadership and Influence
14:41 The Crisis of the Third Century
16:59 Zenobia's Expansion and Military Campaigns
17:43 March to Roman Egypt
18:52 Zenobia's Tactical Maneuvers
20:38 Diplomacy and Expansion
25:25 Aurelian's Response
28:36 The Final Battles
33:10 Zenobia's Capture and Legacy
34:57 Reflection on Women in History
37:59 Closing Remarks