She's History

It’s pride month! In this episode, writer and photographer Malika Ali Harding tells us about Pauli Murray. Pauli Murray was a civil rights activist, women’s rights activist, lawyer, author, poet, and is amongst the first generation of female Episcopal priests. She’s done so many amazing things… but why isn’t she more well known?? We talk about how Pauli sometimes just missed the moment or wasn’t put on display to help promote a cause. Pauli Murray struggled with her sexual and gender identity describing herself as having an “inverted sex instinct”. She had several deep relationships with women. A number of scholars have retroactively classified her as transgender. You can read Malika’s article about Pauli Murray on Puttylike: https://puttylike.com/pauli-murray-a-kick-down-barriers-kinda-life/#podcast #paulimurray #history #sheshistory #malikaaliharding #pride #pridemonth #activist #womensrights #civilrights #NOW #transgender #blackhistory #blackwoman #womenshistory #LGBTQIA #puttylike #lawyer #poet #storyrebels #storytelling #poet #church #femalepriest #RBG #supremecourt  

Bianca Rowlett tells us about Jeane Kirkpatrick, the first woman to serve as US Ambassador to the United Nations under Reagan’s administration. Jeane Kirkpatrick was a very controversial figure and is known for the Kirkpatrick Doctrine that justified supporting authoritarian right wing regimes and dictatorships as long they were anticommunist. She started as a democrat and then became a neoconservative. The effects of this approach to foreign policy had a major impact on Central America. We talk about how Jeane Kirkpatrick believed there should be more women in politics, her emphasis on gradual change, and how fragile democracy is. You can read Bianca’s essay and other great essays in the book “Suffrage at 100: Women in American Politics since 1920”.

In this episode, I continue my conversation with author, film critic, and journalist Helen O’Hara about her new book Women vs. Hollywood: The Fall and Rise of Women in Film. We talk about the nuts and bolts of the movie making industry. Why some aspects turn people into products. How telling more diverse stories is not only morally good but also economically advantageous. We talk about how movies reflect and can also shape our world. How audiences vote on what kind of movies get made with their wallets. And how more people in the industry need to have the courage of their convictions.

It's Women’s History Month and awards season so let’s talk about women in Hollywood. In this episode, author, film critic, and journalist Helen O’Hara tells us about her new book Women vs. Hollywood: The Fall and Rise of Women in Film. We talk about women in leadership roles when filmmaking was first invented but were later written out of Hollywood history. We talk about Alice Guy-Blache who was the first female film director, Lois Weber who was one of the first female American filmmakers, Mary Pickford who became a Hollywood studio owner with United Artists, Pearl White who was an early female action star, Nell Shipman who made adventure films in the 1910s, and more. Helen’s book is available now digitally. The printed edition will be out in the US in November.

In this episode, historian and writer Clover Hope tells us about her new book, The Motherlode, a comprehensive history of women rappers. Clover tells us about the role of women in the birth of hip-hop. We talk about the first female rapper, MC Sha-Rock and other women who were crucial to building the genre. Clover tells us about her process of researching these stories. We talk about the music industry for women in hip-hop and what women rap about that men wouldn’t. We talk about how bold this music is and some of the reactions to women rapping about sexuality and empowerment and what the word feminism means in the rap world. We also talk about the drought of women in hip-hip in the 2000s, the impact of the internet on the industry, how social media has helped some artists break out, and what the future looks like. The Motherlode features really great illustrations by Rachelle Baker. It makes an awesome coffee table book and is available now. For more info go to: http://www.cloverhope.com

It’s February and Black History month! In this episode, historian and writer Hadley Meares tells us the story of Georgia Ann Hill Robinson, the first black woman hired to the LAPD in 1919. Her story is very topical to what’s going on today and the conversation about the role of police officers and the use of social agencies to help address community problems. Every weekday of Black History month, Hadley profiles fascinating Black Angelenos in history for Los Angeles Magazine. Hadley also tells the amazing story of Biddy Mason who came to Los Angeles as a slave in the mid 1800s, was freed, and then became a real estate mogul. It’s the ultimate rags to riches American story!

In this episode, historian and writer Dr. Tiffany González tells us the story of Irma Rangel, the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1976. We talk about Irma Rangel’s path to politics, how she started as a teacher, and then decided to become a lawyer. She saw a lack of representation for Mexican American citizens in politics and the concerns in the community which needed to be addressed. We talk about how she was encouraged, the opposition she faced, and what she accomplished over her 20 years in public office.

In this episode, actress and writer Mary Jane Wells tells us about how she adapted the true story of a female soldier in the US army into a one woman play called “Heroine”. We talk about how to tell the story of someone’s traumatic experience without being exploitive or causing more distress. We talk about artistic license and when a story takes on a life of it’s own. We also talk about the importance of sharing real stories because it shines a light on problems that need to be addressed and allows other survivors to know they are not alone. This is how change can happen. The play debuted at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC in Feb of 2020. The audiobook just released. You can find it at: heroinetheplay.com

In this episode, historian and author Kellie Carter-Jackson tells us about her new essay “‘Dare You Meet a Woman’: Black Women, Abolitionism, and Protective Violence, 1850-1859” If you think America is tense now, you need to hear more stories about the Antebellum Era, especially just before the American Civil War started in 1861. Kellie Carter-Jackson tells us the story of the Christiana Resistance. It’s interesting, when you look it up, this event is also referred to as the “Christiana Riot”. However, when you hear the story, it wasn’t a riot, it was self-defense and a resistance against the institution of slavery. It’s fascinating how one word can change historical context or push a narrative. Kellie tells us Amelia R. M. Robinson who wrote an op ed in 1856 titled “Dare You Meet A Woman”. Black women were a major force in the fight against the institution of slavery. Kellie tells us stories of other black women whose actions or stories helped shine light on the horrors slavery when a lot of American citizens had no idea of the truth. Kellie also tells us about the term “Protective Violence”, what that means, and why it’s important. Kellie is the Author of Force and Freedom: Black Abolitionists and the Politics of Violence which was the Winner of the James H. Broussard Best First Book Prize. http://www.kelliecarterjackson.com #podcast #history #historian #women #womenshistory #blackwomen #blackwomenshistory #kelliecarterjackson #stories #truth #slavery #antebellum #racism #america #americanhistory #christianarestistance #christianariot #protectiveviolence #protest #institutionalracism #change #freedom #civilwar #abolitionism #resistance

America has finally elected its first female Vice President, Kamala Harris. In this episode, we talk to author and historian Sarah Rowley about political husbands. In the 1970s, more women were elected to political office thus changing gender roles in Washington. The political spouse had for so long been a wife. We talk about Bella Abzug and her husband Martin, Yvonne Burke and her husband Bill, Shirley Chisholm and her husband Conrad, Pat Schroeder and her husband Jim, and more. Sarah Rowley studies relationships of power in the United States, specializing in gender and politics. Her article entitled "Married Congresswomen and the New Breed of Political Husbands in 1970s Political Culture," appears in the book "Suffrage at 100”. #podcast #history #historian #sarahrowley #genderstudies #genderroles #sex #men #women #politics #america #1970s #KamalaHarris #husband #wife #men #women #womenshistory

Voter suppression isn’t new to America. In this episode, we talk to author and historian Liette Gidlow about tactics used to keep women, namely minority women, from casting a ballot after 1920 when the 19th Amendment finally passed. Some registrars got creative while others literally ran and hid. We talk about how disenfranchisement within our country runs counter to the story of America expanding democracy around the world. Liette Gidlow is the author of the book "The Big Vote: Gender, Consumer Culture, and the Politics of Exclusion, 1890s-1920s". She also has an essay in “Suffrage at 100”.

Happy Halloween! In this episode, author and Halloween expert Lisa Morton tells us about female horror writers of the late 1800s and early 1900s. She tells us about what inspires and influences her own writing. We chat about how spooky stories reflect our culture and current events. She also tells us about early seances and how mediums were big time celebrities. Lisa is a six-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, the author of four novels and over 150 short stories, and a world-class Halloween expert! Learn more about her work at lisamorton.com. #halloween #happyhalloween #podcast #ghosts #stories #seance #lisamorton #writers #writing #books #weirdfiction #femalewriters #gothic #celebrity #England #NewEngland #spooky #literature #gothicliterature #history #women #spiritualist #trick #treat #medium #1800s #early1900s

In this episode, author and historian Holly Guise, tells us about Elizabeth Peratrovich. Elizabeth Peratrovich was a civil rights activist who fought for equality for Alaska Natives. Her story is like others who fought for change. In Alaska, Elizabeth and her husband Roy Peratrovich found discrimination, difficulty buying a house in certain neighborhoods, and signs banning Native Americans from entering businesses or public facilities. So they started to organize. Elizabeth Peratrovich is credited with helping to pass Alaska’s Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, the first anti-discrimination law in the United States. Holly Guise has an essay about Elizabeth Peratrovich in the book, Suffrage at 100. #elizabethperatrovich #HollyGuise #womensrights #democrat #politician #congress #congresswoman #representative #houseofrepresentatives #Alaska #Alaskan #native #nativeamerican #nativerights #historian #sheshistory #podcast #politics #history #equality #women #men #government #conservative #liberal #grassroots #change #suffrageat100 #famouswomen #woman #discrimination #antidiscrimination

In this episode, author and historian Judy Wu, tells us about Patsy Mink. Patsy Mink was an attorney and politician from the state of Hawaii. She was the first Asian-American woman and the first woman of color elected to Congress. Patsy’s story is great because she didn’t give up when things were tough. She was a woman who really fought for change and worked on the both the federal and local levels. She also knew that even when you have legislation passed, you still need to make sure the laws are enforced, especially when it comes to equality. Judy Wu is currently working on a book about Patsy Mink and has an essay about her in the recent book, Suffrage at 100.

In this episode, historian and author Stacie Taranto tells us about Ellen McCormack. Ellen McCormack ran for president in 1976 as a Democrat with an exclusively pro-life platform. She was creating the single issue voter by being the single issue presidential candidate. What’s interesting about stories like Ellen McCormack is that it shows the power of grass roots organizing and how running for president, even though you know you’re not going to win, is a great marketing tool. In this episode, we learn about how Ellen and other New Deal Democratic women tried to change the Democratic Party but failed. Then they switched to the Republican Party and became a major voice Stacie Taranto just recently released the book “Suffrage at 100: Women in American Politics since 1920”. #ellenmccormack #womensrights #righttolife #abortion #prolife #prochoice #candidate #democrat #republican #president #historian #podcast #politics #history #stacietaranto #election #equality #women #men #government #campaign #finance #conservative #liberal #newyork #singleissue #voter #grassroots

In this episode of She’s History, historian Marjorie Spruill tells us about who Ruth Bader Ginsburg was, her accomplishments, her struggles to get a job in law, the cases she argued and won in front of the Supreme Court, how she became a justice on the Supreme Court, her famous dissents, and her lasting legacy. We also talk about voting rights, how bias influences Supreme Court decisions, the role of the abortion issue in politics, and why this 2020 election is so important. Marjorie Spruill is the author of the book “Divided We Stand”. #ruthbaderginsburg #rbg #notoriousrbg #riprbg #SupremeCourt #justice #constitution #vote #womensrights #celebrity #historian #podcast #politics #history #marjoriespruill #dividedwestand #law #election #equality #women #men #government #votingrights #systemicracism #systemicsexism #sexism #abortion #dissent #legacy

Now we’re 100 years and a couple days into women having the right to vote and there’s still a lot of work to do in regards to gender equality. More than you’d think! We continue our conversation with historians Stacie Taranto and Leandra Zarnow about their new book "Suffrage at 100", a really great collection of essays from various writers about women in American politics since 1920. #suffrage #womenssuffrage #vote #19thamendment #womensrights #suffrageat100 #book #historians #podcast #politics #history #leandrazarnow #stacietaranto #scholars #education #equality #equalityday #women #men #government #votingrights #systemicracism #systemicsexism #sexism #racism #book #newbook #writers

It’s August 26th, 2020 which is the 100 year anniversary of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution being formally adopted allowing women the right to vote. Historians Stacie Taranto and Leandra Zarnow tell us about their new book "Suffrage at 100", which is a really great collection of essays from various writers about women in American politics since 1920. We talk about systemic sexism and racism in the American political system and how there has been progress, but it hasn't been easy. We talk about how women worked with what they had. A lot of this book really helps to understand the struggle for women in politics, how we got here to 2020, and learnings for the future. #suffrage #womenssuffrage #vote #19thamendment #womensrights #suffrageat100 #book #historians #podcast #politics #history #leandrazarnow #stacietaranto #scholars #education #equality #equalityday #women #men #government #votingrights #systemicracism #systemicsexism #sexism #racism #book #newbook #writers

As we celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the last state to ratify for the 19th amendment declaring for the first time that all American women, like men, deserve the right to vote, we hear the story of how Phyllis Schlafly threw a gala to celebrate her role in helping to stop states from ratifying another amendment, the Equal Rights Amendment. In this podcast, we talk about how Phyllis Schlafly celebrated the death of the ERA and how some feminist leadership wouldn't recognize that Schlafly and other conservative women built this grassroots movement on their own. Never underestimate your opponent. Marjorie Spruill, historian and author of the book “Divided We Stand”, tells us about the history around the last episode of the Mrs. America series titled "Reagan". *Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the "Mrs. America" limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the last episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. #history #Reagan #ronaldreagan #phyllisschlafly #conservatives #liberals #politics #podcast #gala #equalrightsamendment #womensrights #women #mrsamerica #stories #partisan #equality #politicians #president #unitedstates #historian #marjoriespruill #democrats #republicans #womenssuffrage #suffrage #vote #votingrights #president #politicians

Marjorie Spruill, historian and author of the book “Divided we stand”, tells us about the 1977 Houston Women's Conference and how it was an amazing celebration of American women as well as a tool for furthering a growing divide. This event really did pave the way for the extreme partisan politics we see today. *Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the "Mrs. America" limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the 8th episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. #history #Houston #women #conference #1977 #equality #america #politics #divisions #partisan #sexism #equalrights #liberals #conservatives #democrats #republicans #rights #mrsamerica #tvshow #texas #celebration #stories

Marjorie Spruill, historian and author of the book “Divided we stand”, tells us about Midge Costanza, Jean O’Leary, the gay rights provision in the national plan of action, why Bella was nervous about it, and why it’s important to stand your ground for what’s right. *Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the "Mrs. America" limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the 7th episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. #history #liberals #conservatives #equality #politician #womensrights #america #politics #division #racism #inequality #social #justice #news #change #history #historian #policy #reform #protest #equality #podcast #women #womensconference #1970s #dividedwestand #partisan #democrats #republicans #gayrights #pride

In this episode, historian Marjorie Spruill tells us about Bella Abzug, a champion for equality. We learn about Bella's career in politics as the country was beginning to divide so extremely in the 1970s. *Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the "Mrs. America" limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the 7th episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. Marjorie is a historian and author of the book "Divided We Stand”. Marjorie and I also talk about how real change is possible in Washington if people unite and demand it. We talk about how political naïveté can actually help make change happen. We talk about racism on the conservative side and how the pro-life and anti-ERA movements joined together. #history #liberals #conservatives #equality #blacklivesmatter #civilrights #bellaabzug #politician #womensrights #america #politics #division #racism #inequality #social #justice #news #change #history #historian #policy #reform #protest #equality #ally #podcast #women #womensconference #1970s #dividedwestand #partisan #democrats #republicans #equalrightsamendment

Historian Marjorie Spruill wrote the book "Divided We Stand" which illustrates how America became so polarized. With protests and calls for change, Marjorie and I have a conversation about what historically might be next for our country. #blacklivesmatter #protests #justiceforgeorge #georgefloyd #unite #unitedwestand #america #politics #division #racism #inequality #social #justice #news #change #history #historian #policy #reform #march #protest #equality #ally #podcast #help #spreadtheword

*Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the Mrs. America limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the 6th episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. In this episode, Marjorie talks about Republican feminist Jill Ruckelshaus. Marjorie Spruill is a historian and author of the book Divided We Stand. We talk about Jill’s story, moderate Republicans at the time, and how 1976 was an important turning point in American history and politics. This is when the Republican Party was pushed very hard to the right by well organized extremists like Phyllis Schlafly.

*Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the Mrs. America limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the 5th episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. In this episode, Marjorie talks about sex and marriage in the 1960s and 70s. Marjorie Spruill wrote the book “Divided We Stand”. Her book details how this time in history was a crossroads for American politics and drew the line in the sand between liberals and conservatives. We learn about real life married couple Brenda Feigen and Marc Fasteau and how their view of marriage was very different from Phyllis and Fred Schlafly's. We talk about questioning roles within a traditional marriage and men changing diapers. We discuss the sexual revolution, what it was like to be gay at the time, the role of politics in the bedroom, and more.

*Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the Mrs. America limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the 4th episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. In this episode, Marjorie talks about Betty Friedan. We also discuss how Phyllis Schlafly used emotion to get the upper hand on Betty during a well known debate; how Betty Friedan wrote her famous book "The Feminine Mystique"; Marjorie tells about when she met both Betty and Gloria; we talk about the start to the backlash of feminism; we learn about Phyllis Schlafly and the power of single issues; we talk about why 1950s housewives were depressed and "the problem that has no name"; we talk about the myth of woman’s privilege; how the new stage of life called Middle Age changed society; why we should say “suffragist” and not “suffragette”, and more!

*Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the Mrs. America limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the 3rd episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. In this episode, Marjorie talks about Shirley Chisholm who became the first black woman to run for the office of President of the United States in the early 1970s. And women like Phyllis Schlafly who organized to stop the Equal Rights Amendment and thus change the course of American politics today. Phyllis Schlafly paved the way for Donald Trump to be president. Marjorie Spruill, historian and author of the book "Divided We Stand" talks about the third episode of “Mrs. America” titled “Shirley” and what it gets right, what it doesn’t, and other stories that the show didn’t have time to include. A recent article in the LA times interviews Davhi Waller, creator of the FX limited series “Mrs. America”. Waller talks about how Marjorie’s book, “Divided We Stand” was relied on heavily by her and the writers of the show. In this episode we talk about Shirley Chisholm, the divisions within the women’s movement, racism in America in the 1970s and how it was impossible for Shirley to be on the presidential ticket, racism within Phyllis Schlafly’s Anti-ERA members, Phyllis’ training workshops, the democratic national convention of 1972, the struggle to make abortion rights a democratic party issue, McGovern opening up the democratic party to minority voices, and more.

*Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the Mrs. America limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the 2nd episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. In this episode, Marjorie talks about Gloria Steinem and the women trying to pass the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s. At the same time, Phyllis Schlafly was mobilizing her army of conservatives to stop it. Marjorie Spruill is a historian and author of the book "Divided We Stand".

*Disclaimer, you do not need to watch the Mrs. America limited series to enjoy the history conversation in this podcast. However, the 1st episode of the series is a good companion piece for this podcast episode. In this episode, Laura interviews Marjorie Spruill, historian and author of the book "Divided We Stand" about who Phyllis Schalfly is and why she is such an important historical figure. They talk about how Phyllis is portrayed in the first episode of the FX limited series “Mrs. America” created by Dahvi Waller and currently airing on Hulu. Marjorie talks in depth about Phyllis Schlafly and how Phyllis' actions to stop the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s have resulted in the political divide of America today. Marjorie talks about what the show gets right, what it doesn't, and other fun stories about this time in history.