Author Archives: qandrpod

This episode is about: Josephine Baker – Spy, civil rights activist, war hero, mother of 12, actress, singer, dancer, sex symbol, fashion icon. Fun Fact: By the outbreak of WW2 she came to represent everything hated by the Hitler and his followers – a successful, openly bi-sexual black woman in an interracial marriage with aContinue reading “10: Josephine Baker”

This episode is about: Sappho – her fame as a poet has survived for centuries. She was well known for her talent in the ancient world and remains a source of fascination for the modern reader. Fun Fact: The manner of Sappho’s death is unknown, it is widely accepted that she lived into the oldContinue reading “9: Sappho”

This episode is about: Mae West – a glamorous legend of classical American cinema that shamelessly celebrated female sexuality and is known for her campy and witty humor.Fun Fact: Mae was underwhelmed with her first role in “Night After Night” but that didn’t deter her. Mae demanded that she re-write her own part and cameContinue reading “8: Mae West”

This episode is about: Eve – the prototype of a sinful temptress that influenced how people would view women for centuries. Vilifying Eve became a tradition despite there is no evidence of her actually seducing Adam in the original text, the claim of female spiritual inferiority was reconstructed between the lines by men projecting theirContinue reading “7: The Legend of Eve”

This episode is about: Emma Goldman – the mother of anarchy. She was a pioneering advocate for women’s rights, sexual freedom, legalization of birth control, immigrant and worker’s rights and freedom of speech. Fun Fact: Goldman believed that that both public and private life needed to change for a successful revolution thus started advocating forContinue reading “6: Emma Goldman”

This episode is about: Lilith – Her journey from ancient Babylonian origins to a well known figure in Jewish mythology to Western pop culture. This original bad girl continues to fascinate. – Fun Fact: For the medieval Jewish communities Lilith was a real and physical threat. Men were warned against sleeping alone, to prevent themContinue reading “5: The Legend of Lilith”

This episode is about: Viola Irene Desmond – a Canadian civil rights activist and business pioneer. – Fun Fact: Viola is the first Canadian-born woman to be featured on national currency, a newly designed $10 bill. Sources:– Reynolds, Graham, and Wanda Robson. Viola Desmond: Her Life and Times. Roseway Publishing, an Imprint of Fernwood Publishing,Continue reading “4: Viola Desmond”

This one is about:  Tawosret – her independent rule was short lived and ended in a civil war, but she was not a passive pawn in the hands of scheming nobles as previously portraited. – Fun Fact: Tawosret did not bear any children which she could pass on the rule to and was most likelyContinue reading “3: Queens of Egypt – Part 3”

This episode is about: Hatshepsut – a Pharaoh who dealt with her spoiled stepson by outshining him.   The second historically confirmed female Pharaoh. – Fun Fact: Hatshepsut first gained power as Queen Regent.  In an unprecedented move, at a public religious festival, the Oracle of Amun would proclaim Hatshepsut as official co-ruler with Thutmose theContinue reading “2: Queens of Egypt – Part 2”

This episode is about: Merneith – first recorded queen-regent of Ancient Egypt.  – Fun Fact: Only after discovering the Palermo stone where she was listed as the King’s mother did historians realized she was a female. Neferusobek – first confirmed queen of Egypt that ruled as a pharaoh.– Fun Fact: She became a king’s wifeContinue reading “1: Queens of Egypt – Part 1”