Mary Jane Richards (c. 1841-Unknown) was a formerly enslaved woman who went back into slavery to help take down the Confederacy. Her considerable acting skills allowed her to gain access inside the home of Jefferson Davis.

Spies: Mary Jane Richards

Thinking back to our history classes growing up, we had one question: Where the ladies at? Enter, Womanica. In just 5 minutes a day, learn about different incredible women from throughout history. On Wonder Media Network’s award-winning podcast, we’re telling the stories of women you may or may not know — but definitely should. 

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Anastasia Romanov (1901-1918) was the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. Her death was hotly debated for years, as she was believed to have survived her family’s execution.

Disappearing Acts: Anastasia Romanov

Marguerite de la Rocque (c. 1542) was meant to disappear. That’s what her older relative, Sieur de Roberval, intended to happen when he marooned Marguerite on an uninhabited Canadian island. But against all odds, she survived instead.

Disappearing Acts: Marguerite de la Rocque

Barbara Newhall Follet (1914-unknown) was an American child prodigy novelist. She published two books before she was a teenager and wrote poetry as well. When she was in her twenties, she left her house after fighting with her husband and was never seen again.

Disappearing Acts: Barbara Newhall Follett

Clara Bow (1905-1965) was an American film star of the 1920s. Her flapper persona helped bring about the “it” girl and popularize the fads of the era. Her sudden retirement at the age of 28 essentially erased her from later films as the studio system grew, but she left an undeniable imprint on film history.

Disappearing Acts: Clara Bow

Irmgard Keun (1905-1982) was a best-selling novelist in Germany in the early 1930s. After she ran afoul of Nazi censorship, she became an exiled, “anti-German” expatriate hiding from the Nazi regime. That’s when she was reported dead by suicide. But was that really the full story?

Spies: Mary Jane Richards

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