Re-Feminist History - Stories of badass women that history "forgot"
By Kelly McClain and Smarty Pants Lisa
Re-Feminist History - Stories of badass women that history "forgot"Sep 03, 2022
Episode 66 - Women Athletes who have changed the game!
These women are BADASS! This is part 2 of our women athletes episode. There are currently 3 blog entries up at Kellymcclain.blogspot.com where you can read this information too if that's your jam.
There were a lot of sources for this episode; the main sources are:
https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-history-sports-pioneers-10-140838754.html
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082272202/women-soccer-contracts-equal-pay-settlement-uswnt
https://www.axios.com/2024/04/09/ncaa-womens-basketball-championship-views#
Thanks for listening and supporting us.
Episode 65 - Women Athletes - The Pay Gap and Other Bullshit!
This is a 2 parter...in the first part we will enlighten you with just how wide the pay gap is between male and female athletes, and break down the weak ass arguments that try to justify it. And we will start on our list of badass women who set records, blazed trails, and broke barriers for the female athletes who would follow them.
Check out the blog that goes with this podcast here: https://kellymcclain.blogspot.com/2024/04/women-athletes-pay-gap-and-other.html
There were a lot of sources for this episode, and many of them are listed on the blog. The others are:
https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-history-sports-pioneers-10-140838754.html
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082272202/women-soccer-contracts-equal-pay-settlement-uswnt
https://www.axios.com/2024/04/09/ncaa-womens-basketball-championship-views#
Thanks for listening and supporting us. (Special thanks to my hubs and his friend, my new PR manager, Bahb)
Episode 64 - Funny Ladies breaking barriers - Wanda Sykes and Moms Mabley
I have always said that comedy is group therapy and that comedians serve a purpose much deeper than just making us laugh. There's a blog that goes with this podcast now, so you can read my thoughts and the scoop on these 2 funny ladies here: kellymcclain.blogspot.com
Chances are goods that you've heard of Wanda Sykes. But do you know Moms Mabley? I bet you don't. She was a badass woman before badass was even a thing!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanda_Sykes
https://thevogue.com/artists/wanda-sykes/
Episode 63 - You gotta fight for your rights - Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman
We are diving deep into the history of women's suffrage, the ERA, and a couple of badass ladies who were at the forefront of the fight for equal rights.
It started with women wanting the right to vote. Even John Adam's wife had something to say about it: "“I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation.”
But did they "remember the ladies"? Um...NO.
Then we wanted equality in the eyes of the law. And that fight is ongoing. We might actually have flying cars before we have equality!
Anyway, enjoy this ep while you're ironing your red handmaid's cloak or making your husband a sandwich.
Like our new name?
SOURCES:
https://rockthevote.org/explainers/the-19th-amendment/
https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/essays/alice-paul-suffrage-militant
https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/crystal-eastman/
https://www.aclu.org/documents/crystal-eastman
Lesson 62 - Detectives & Monsters
Do you notice anything different?
Lisa and I did some brainstorming about this podcast . We decided that it’s probably in the best interest of the podcast to do a little rebranding. I personally feel extremely passionate about the notion of reclaiming the word Bitch. I am a pretty rabid feminist at this point, like to consider myself an ally, and am constantly learning how to be a better human. Lisa is a proud Queer with a passion for world history as well as Civil Rights and Equality. We obviously both have existential rage of a feminist flavor and want to push against the limitations placed on us by society.
However... seeing as how AI and all of the powerful institutions are still essentially run by the patriarchy, ridiculous conservatism and poorly applied political correctness (insert eye rolls here!), particularly in regards to language, it is nearly impossible to market the podcast with the name “Bitchstory”. So we decided to compromise on our steadfast Bitchery and tweak the name.
Introducing - Re-Feminist History! You've heard of "revisionist history", I'm sure. It's one of the buzzwords of our time. Well we are having a little revision of our own! We will continue to uncover history's forgotten badasses, sing its unsung heroes, and proclaim the names that the history books "forgot" - and, we have fun doing it! We swear a little, we (meaning Kelly) use poorly executed foreign accents, we laugh, and we learn a LOT! So please join us in our own revisionist history - Re-feminist History!
Still available on Spotify, Apple, IHeart, Podbay, Podchaser, and frankly, almost anywhere you get your podcasts! Still publishing every other week. Still feminist as fuck.
Enjoy, please leave us a great review, and please share with a friend!
Isabella Goodwin - 1st female detective NYPD
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_Goodwin
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/13/obituaries/isabella-goodwin-overlooked.html
Milicent Patrick - (one of the) 1st female special fx artists
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milicent_Patrick
https://www.lunaticsproject.com/post/film-history-the-uncredited-life-of-milicent-patrick
"You have the Conn" - https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/203068/whats-the-command-that-kirk-gives-when-he-turns-over-command)
Lesson 61 - Warriors against child marriage
In this surprising and spirited episode we discuss statistics at wound child marriage globally. It is considered a human rights issue and this problem is far more pervasive than you might suspect! Then we do a little deeper dive into the laws around chile marriage and the surprising stances of some famous organizations. You are on the ride with us as we try to make sense of all of this and bring it full circle to current events around reproductive healthcare. (CW: sexual abuse, child marriage, abortion, miscarriage, many f-bombs as usual) WHEW!
**********
SOURCES AND ORGS
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/child-marriage-women-activists-africa/ https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/child-marriage-research-action-network/ https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_marriage_in_the_United_States https://www.unchainedatlast.org/
https://endchildmarriageus.org/ ***********
Don’t forget to check out the other House Of Bleep pods: BitchScopes and BitchSplaining. Support us and check out all the stuff at Patreon.com/houseofbleep Email us: heybitches@bitchstory.net Instagram: @bitchstory.pod Thanks for being our best bitches!
Bitchstory Lesson 60- Heroines of Mental Health
January is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we are kicking off a brand new year of Bitchstory with some ladies who improved our lives with breakthrough discoveries in the area of mental health. Two of these ladies specifically did research in women’s reproductive health, and without them, we’d all be in institutions, labeled as hysterical and told it is all in our heads. Dr. Jamie Maquire - researched and found a breakthrough treatment specific to postpartum depression https://www.brainfacts.org/diseases-and-disorders/mental-health/2020/the-discovery-that-led-to-the-first-specific-treatment-for-postpartum-depression-111920 Dr. Katharina Dalton - helped identify, name, and treat PMS https://www.womensinternational.com/blog/tribute-to-dr-katharina-dalton/ Anna Freud - recognized the need for specialized child psychology Marie Nyswander - developed margarine as a treatment for heroin addiction
Don’t forget to check out the other House Of Bleep pods: BitchScopes and BitchSplaining. Support us and check out all the stuff at Patreon.com/houseofbleep Email us: heybitches@bitchstory.net Instagram: @bitchstory.pod Thanks for being our best bitches!
Bitchstory Lesson 59 - Our Top 19 and a half episodes!
On this final episode on 2023, Lisa and Kelly do a run down of their all time favorite episodes of Bitchstory. Thank you for making 2023 awesome. Keep listening. We’ll see you in 2024, Bitches!
Don’t forget to check out the other House Of Bleep pods: BitchScopes and BitchSplaining.
Support us: Patreon.com/houseofbleep
Email us: heybitches@bitchstory.netInstagram: @bitchstory.pod
Bitchstory Lesson 58 - More Marvelous Military Mavens
Since I've decided November is Veterans Month and screw Thanksgiving, here's four more badass ladies who have done amazing things for the USA!
ASTRONAUT/RET. AF COL.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_Collins
https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/eileen-collins/
PILOT
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Cochran
https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/meet-jacqueline-cochran
ARMY COL/NURSE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Bradley
https://news.va.gov/99544/veteranoftheday-army-veteran-ruby-bradley/
FIRST NURSE ON BATTLEFIELD
https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/about/news/blog-post-navy-flight-nurse-jane-kendeigh
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Kendeigh
We would love it if you'd share this podcast with your favorite feminist or history nerd!
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BitchStory Lesson 57 - Badass Lady Fighter Pilot! (With Kelly's Husband)!
My husband Patrick is a Gulf War Vet, and now a Fire Chief on a base overseas. I did an interview with him about his experience in the War a few years ago. You can listen to it here
He has been wanting to pod with me about badass military chicks for awhile now. And this year, for Veterans' Day, we are honoring Col. Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell, a decorated war veteran who saved a lot of ground troops' bacon, and managed to do the impossible with an A10 Thunderbolt II, AKA a Warthog. She's just...well...you can do a drinking game with how many times Pat calls her a "badass". Let me know how that goes!
If you're a plane nerd, here's deets on the A10
(I apologize for the not perfect audio. I know Pat is harder to hear than my big bitch voice. I tried to amplify him. He needs a proper microphone to run with us bitches haha)
We would love it if you'd share this podcast with your favorite feminist or history nerd!
Or if you're able, you can click the "support this podcast" button on the anchor.fm/bitchstory home page, OR go to Patreon.com/houseofbleep Thanks!!
Email us: heybitches@bitchstory.net
Podcasts: Bitchstory Bitchscopes Bitchsplaining
Instagram: instagram.com/Bitchstory.pod
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Bitchstory Lesson 56 - Move over Dora, we’ve got badass explorers!
Hey guess what… a WOMAN discovered North America BEFORE Columbus …AND she didn’t Go around raping and imprisoning folks.
Vikings…they’re pretty badass.
And we have a Fraaaaaanch lady who was the first woman To circumnavigate the globe! Ever heard of Jeanne Baret? us either! Let’s fix that!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudrid_Thorbjarnard%C3%B3ttir
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Baret
Email us: heybitches@bitchstory.net Podcasts: Bitchstory Bitchscopes Bitchsplaining Instagram: instagram.com/Bitchstory.pod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bitchstrology
BitchStory Lesson 55 - Scandalous & Revered Argentinian Badass - Evita!
In this episode we have political intrigue, scandal, corruption, so.many.coups, and… a lobotomy! Eva Peron, unlike many of our subjects on this show, is definitely not unheard of. She is still very famous. Known as “Evita”, she was an actress, politician, activist, and philanthropist who served as First Lady of Argentina from June 1946 until her death in July 1952, as the wife of Argentine President Juan Perón.
https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-poverty-obituaries-buenos-aires-ff7553b9191269449f3eaf13f92fd3ca
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150710-the-gruesome-untold-story-of-eva-perons-lobotomy
Email us: heybitches@bitchstory.net Podcasts: Bitchstory Bitchscopes Bitchsplaining Instagram: instagram.com/Bitchstory.pod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bitchstrology
Bitchstory Lesson 54 - Badass Hispanic Labor Union Ladies
September is Hispanic Heritage Month. We recorded this right before Labor Day. So we thought, what could be more perfect than some badass Latina labor activists? The 1930s gave rise to Labor Unions and many, many protests about working conditions throughout the country. Unions had a surprising ally during this time - communism.
Meet Luisa Moreno & Emma Beatrice Tenayuca. These ladies started on their paths quite young, held some rather powerful positions in political parties and in unions, and we’ve Never heard of them
…until now!
Please consider Supporting our work: Anchor.fm/bitchstory (click the support button) Patreon.com/Houseofbleep (at the $5 & $10/mo levels you get weekly BitchScopes horoscopes.)
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Questions and whatever: Kelly@thebitchwhisperer.me
Website: thebitchwhisperer.me
BitchStory Lesson 53 - Lilith. Who the hell is she? Demon, temptress, feminist, asteroid, ghost moon...WTF?
This week we do a little deep dive on Lilith. Mythology and current wisdom call her Adam's first wife, who refused to submit to him and wanted equality. He refused to give it to her so she said "Boy, Bye!" The interesting thing about her is that no one can agree on who she is. Biblical and Jewish Literature have multiple personas assigned to her. Astrology utilizes her archetype but there are 4 Liliths in astrology too!
It's confusing, but here you go!
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/lilith/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lilith-Jewish-folklore
https://aish.com/lilith-the-real-story/
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/lilith-lady-flying-in-darkness/
https://www.findingdulcinea.com/who-was-lilith-in-the-bible/
(in above, see “connecting Lilith to Genesis”)
(above is a great academic source)
Tom Jacob’s book: Lilith - Healing the Wild
Please consider Supporting our work: Anchor.fm/bitchstory (click the support button)
Patreon.com/Houseofbleep (at the $5 & $10/mo levels you get weekly BitchScopes horoscopes.)
Questions and whatever: Kelly@thebitchwhisperer.me Website: thebitchwhisperer.me
Instagram: @bitchstory.pod @kellymcbitch
Bitchstory Lesson 52 - Those Vogue Bitches - How Fashion is Feminist
This episode feels like slightly different vibe for us. Fashion is not the first thing that comes to mind when we think of the feminist movement…we were as surprised as anyone to discover the feminist under currents of the fashion industry! Check out the links to see some of the badass beauties.
Fashion Designers who Changed History
Please consider Supporting our work: Anchor.fm/bitchstory (click the support button)
Patreon.com/Houseofbleep (at the $5 & $10/mo levels you get weekly BitchScopes horoscopes.)
Questions and whatever: Kelly@thebitchwhisperer.me Website: thebitchwhisperer.me
Instagram: @bitchstory.pod @kellymcbitch
Bitchstory lesson 51 - Heroines of the South African Apartheid
After we recorded this, we became aware of another incidence of The Mandela Effect regarding Ed McMahon, and this one really tweaked our noodles!
www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8RbgeuX/
Other sources:
www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g28438966/mandela-effect-examples/
Apartheid Background
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid
The Women
www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/women-leaders-south-africa-freedom-apartheid/
Please consider Supporting our work:
Anchor.fm/bitchstory
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BitchStory lesson 50 - Civil War Lady Spies
In all seriousness, the civil war was a dark time of epic losses. But spies are still fascinating!
www.womenhistoryblog.com/2015/09/union-women-spies.html
www.womenhistoryblog.com/2013/10/confederate-women-spies.html
Patreon.com/Houseofbleep
Bitchstory Lesson 49 - Gay Pride Part 2 - Indigenous "2 spirit" people & Badass Barbara Cameron
One particular stand out in this area is a lesbian Lakota woman named Barbara Cameron who was instrumental in the San Francisco 80's and 90's activism scene for gay rights, AIDS awareness, and cultural awareness.
We also talk a bit about where this biblical notion of "homosexuality is wrong" comes from and why it is very probably an intentional mistranslation of the original biblical texts. What you heard about Sodom and Gomorrah is very likely just wrong! (mind blown)
Women of color have always been at the forefront of activism and change making, and Native American women were instrumental in the suffrage movement. Fast forward to the 70's and Native women were leading the fight again. Thank you Barbara Cameron for your graceful leadership. Rest in Power.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_May_Cameron
reformationproject.org/case/sodom-and-gomorrah/
msmagazine.com/2020/08/18/how-native-american-women-inspired-the-womens-rights-suffrage-movement/
support us: www.patreon.com/HouseofBleep
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🏳️🌈BitchStory Lesson 48 - Edith Windsor & the struggle for gay marriage rights Pride episode 1 of 2 🏳️⚧️
Bitchstory Lesson 47 - Badass Baby Lady
hey, do us a solid and listen to Bitchstory under our new production house umbrella- “House of Bleep” https://spoti.fi/40MsNdX💜
Angelique Du Courdray, sometimes referred to as “the King’s midwife”, was a badass and visionary midwife and educator who helped stave off a population crisis.
https://daily.jstor.org/how-a-french-midwife-solved-a-public-health-crisis/
https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/heritage_floor/angelique_de_coudray
https://artsci.case.edu/dittrick/2013/08/07/madame-du-coudray-a-midwife-in-a-mans-world/ https://www.gtsimulators.com/products/obstetric-phantom-set-ar57
Bitchstory lesson 46 - Happy Birthday Carol Burnette!
Happy 90th Birthday Carol Burnette! If you grew up in the late 60s or early 70s you likely know who Carol Burnette is. Regardless of your childhood, dive in with us and learn a bit more about a comic legend who made it big in the era of "women just aren't funny"...oh wait, maybe we're still in that era. Well screw them, she's hilarious!
Carol Quotes: parade.com/celebrities/carol-burnett-quotes
Complete episode with the "Went with the Wind" sketch - notice the Bob Mackie dress in the opening (it has pockets!!). The resolution on this particular video is awful but you'll get the idea. It's a very long skit, so if you must, skip to the 15 minute mark to see the entrance of "the drapes"... youtu.be/-8wVvGQ0P4Y
here's a reel with all the regulars breaking character - www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zw_B0mqdp4
Bitchstory Lesson 45 - She was a Real Renaissance Woman!
Ever heard of an artist by the name of Sofonisba Anguissola? Yeah neither had we! Neither had my art-educated friends! Turns out she was a very gifted artist of the renaissance period. As a woman she wasn’t allowed to make money from her art, but it sounds like she did pretty ok for herself. And you know how the Royal portraits are often really unflattering? This gal knew how to do right by her subjects! I'd let her paint me...I need bigger eyes anyway.
Check out some of her works here:
If you like this podcast, please consider helping us out. Currently we can't advertise because of the word "bitch" in the title. *hard eyeroll*. There are other podcasts with that word but they are owned by big companies. We need your help to grow this podcast! Please share, or review, or both. If you have the means to throw a few bucks at us each month that would really help too. We are proud Capricorn and Aquarius bitches and we aren't great at asking for help..."I'm fine. I don't need anyone!" But we do need your help, and we love your guts. You know what we'd also love? Some follows on Instagram! @bitchstory.pod. AND send us a message and let us know you listen! heybitches@bitchstory.net. LOVE YOUR GUTS!
New Bitchstory Intro/Theme
Bitches! Look, listen, look...I'm kind of excited. I have been using the music that was created for me by a professional for BitchSplaining (one of my other podcasts). I totally love it, but it isn't quite right for THIS podcast. So I set out to make a new one. I wasn't quite sure what I was doing, but then I did it and damn if it didn't turn out pretty fucking good! What do you think?
We will use a shortened version as an Intro for episodes, but I wanted to share it. I'm kinda proud!
However.... if you hate it and think it sucks I'd like to know. am I crazy for asking for that? errrr....we will see.
Bitchstory Lesson 44 - Hypatia the math bitch
Bitchstory Lesson 43 - The Badass Bitches of Spring Equinox
Anyway, enjoy this episode where I struggle with words as usual and SPL is gloriously articulate. Ugh. I'm publishing this one week after the Equinox, but enjoy it anyway, because time is just a construct!
You should read this about the goddess Baubo, which is Spring goddess adjacent because she cheered up Persephone by flashing her lady bits and telling dirty jokes...
bust.com/arts/196838-baubo-ancient-vagina-goddess.html
Bitchstory Lesson 42 - OG Environmentalist Badass Rachel Carson
Long before we had Greta Thunberg, we had Rachel Carson (born 1907!). She wrote several books about the ocean and ocean life. Her book "Silent Spring" became one of the most influential books in the modern environmental movement and provided the impetus for tighter control of pesticides. After WWI, she was one of the first to rally against the use of DDT, which was originally used during the war to control lice (ew), and then the DDT people or the government people were like "now what do we use it for?" and marketed it to farmers and gardners (Great idea. Agent Orange is probably great for your flowers too - eyeroll). Her influence has been far reaching and continues to this day.
hhttp://www.rachelcarson.org/Bio.aspx
Book list
http://www.rachelcarson.org/Books.aspx
Bitchstory Lesson 41- Geek goddess Grace Hopper
Bitchstory Lesson 40 - Beautiful Badass Lady Spy in a banana costume - Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker was a gorgeous, young, black singer and dancer in the early 20's. She renounced her US citizenship because of racial injustice and became a French citizen. Things weren't perfect in Paris, but audiences were not segregated and she enjoyed significant success. During WW2, she leveraged her fame to pass secrets to the French resistance when the Nazis were trying to completely take over France. Who doesn't love a lady spy in a banana costume with a pet Cheetah named Chiquita?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Baker
https://spyscape.com/article/josephine-baker-the-secret-life-of-a-diva-spy
Bitchstory Lesson 39- Daughters of MLK- Yolanda and Bernice King
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernice_King
www.essence.com/news/money-career/bernice-king-gracefully-thwarted-co-opting-mlk/
www.projectq.us/bernice-kings-big-lie-not-a-homophobe/#
Bitchstory lesson 38 - OG Funny Lady Phyllis Diller
Lesson 37 - Wintery Bitches
BitchStory Lesson 36 - Hot Bitch Alert! Dita Von Teese
And now for something completely different! We cover a lot of serious stuff here, and whenever women are overlooked, let alone repressed/oppressed, it is serious. But some of the women we cover are badasses because they ushered in a new era and they probably didn't even know it. We know our audience loves the funny ladies and the lighter content, because the stats show it. So for your naked education, we are pleased to present Dita Von Teese.
Dita is, we would argue, solely responsible for the huge resurgence in Burlesque in the US since around 2000. Nothing too deep here, just a hot, half naked badass lady in a giant champagne glass.
Burlesque originated in the mid 1800's, and has undergone the usual evolutions with society. Body appreciation and a "love it or leave it" attitude has been coursing through feminist communities for a decade or more, gaining major prominence on Instagram. The Burlesque art form has been a lover of all body shapes for quite awhile. Dita herself is the definition of the perfect woman by traditional standards, but she is a badass because she's inspired so many people to embrace their sexiness regardless -
"I've always loved the idea of not being what people expect me to be. Anyone who thinks that being young and beautiful is more important than having something to say is wrong. I make a point to never, ever point out my physical flaws… this is advice I give to women as often as I can."
“You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches.”
― Dita Von Teese
So we hope this episode helps you to embrace your unique peach. (All the puns intended).
https://superstarsbio.com/bios/dita-von-teese/
Bitchstory Lesson 35 - Margaret "Badass" Beaufort - how strong women are villainized in history
After binging several seasons of Phillipa Gregory's historical dramas, I started to feel some kinda way about my family tree. I am a descendent of Margaret Beaufort, who was mother of King Henry VII (grandmother of King Henry VIII who we all remember!). She dedicated her life to protecting her son's claim to the throne, and didn't let anything get in her way. Yet in some historical accounts, she is villainized and painted as a terrible, murderous women. Some depict her as a religious zealot. Others, however, depict her in more human terms. And after I found a couple of the latter accounts, I felt a sense of pride in my family tree again.
Even though Phillipa Gregory's books and TV Series have stoked a fire in me to understand my ancestry, her historical "fiction" takes some pretty glaring liberties with actual history and Beaufort is one of the victims of this. Much of what I was feeling bad about was just false! She was just a woman with ambition and dedication, so obviously...a bitch.
We present to you, one of history's early, amazing, badass, dedicated Bitches - Margaret Beaufort!
https://www.philippagregory.com/characters/margaret-beaufort
https://www.royalhistorygeeks.com/5-of-the-ways-the-spanish-princess-distorted-margaret-beaufort/
Bitchstory Lesson 34 - Bitches be Hippocratic - Badass Doctor Bitches who've changed the world!
In honor of Breast Cancer awareness month (October), and the many (way too many) friends we have currently fighting breast cancer, we wanted to do an episode about the doctors and women and medical people who've helped humanity make major strides in various areas of healthcare. I'm really terrible at posting **TRIGGER WARNINGS** but I'm trying to be better - women's history is brimming over with traumas. *** In this episode we do discuss: miscarriage, along with breast cancer (really just the discovery of a gene that made major progress in the field), transgender health care, gender affirming health care, and clitoral restoration (its a brief mention about a doctor who helps victims of genital mutilation). There is also a discussion of a badass doctor who did fucking miraculous life saving abortions in Auschwitz! At the end of the episode we give information for the suicide hotline. And we are always talking about abortion rights. Plus there's the word bitch, which still triggers a lot of people and that's what we are trying to change. Both of us feel passionately about women's issues and healing both collective and personal traumas, and we don't feel like that can happen by never talking about things and keeping our collective fear and shame in the dark. So open the windows with us and let's CELEBRATE SOME BADASS WOMEN DOCTORS! PLEASE VOTE IN ALL ELECTIONS OFFERED IN YOUR AREA!
Bitchstory Lesson 33- Iranian Women Badasses -A Cautionary Tale (also the first ep with officially no current events)
If you are curious exactly what’s happening in Iran and why, this is the episode for you. This is a women’s rights cautionary tale, and let’s hope it’s not foreshadowing. The women protesting in Iran face imprisonment and death. We must pay attention. We’ve also eliminated the current events at the top of the show, so if that bored you, you’re in luck! These links are a timeline and photographs of life before and after the Iranian revolution. You might be shocked to learn how modern and progressive Iran was before it became a theocracy… https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-before-the-revolution-in-photos-2015-4 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47032829.amp
BitchStory Lesson 32 - Chingonas! Celebrating Hispanic Heritage with some Badass Latinas!
So, disclaimer: neither of us are Hispanic/Latina. We aren't claiming to be experts, and we are open to conversations to educate us.
This podcast aims to bring the unsung heroes onto the stage. Our stage is still small, so please share this podcast with friends who would enjoy it. We would love your topic suggestions, or for you to let us know if we missed an important name or detail.
This episode lists a whole bunch of Latina badasses who need to be known!
We are busy bitches, just like you guys. Sometimes, even though we do research for each episode, we are struck with a question or thought while we are recording. We're just keepin it real and organic. During this episode we were trying to think of a celebratory term to say at the end of each woman's segment...like CHEERS! Lisa suggested Chingona, and it couldn't be more perfect:
"Throughout Latin America and in many Latinx communities in the United States, the word chingona has always had negative connotations attached to it. The word has historically been used to describe women who are “too aggressive,” while the masculine version of the word “chingon” is used as a way to compliment men. In recent years, Latinas like Duarte have made efforts to reclaim the word and used it as a way to empower themselves, similarly to how the LGBTQI community has taken back the word “queer.”
Y'ALL! that is exactly what we are trying to do with "Bitch"! Chingona is the perfect word!
and, an apology:
And, as far as why Hispanic Heritage Month is 9/15-10/15 - census.gov says:
“About National Hispanic Heritage Month
It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402. “The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua."
Speculating during the show, we incorrectly associated it with Dia De Los Muertos, which isn't until November 1-2. We really should have done better with this fact. Forgive us, and happy independence. (We wish Puerto Rico could celebrate this way)
My brain (Kelly's) is struggling a little because of long covid, and meds to deal with the other health issue fuckery. So I fuck up my words and struggle to recall things, a lot. Sorry. Be gentle with me, I'm Perimenopausal too.
BitchStory Lesson 31 - Lucille Ball & Other Funny Bitches
We wanted to cover Lucille Ball, but we felt obligated to give mention to a bunch of other amazing female comedians who have broken barriers in the comedy world. Comedy is a near and dear concept to us. Kelly calls it "group therapy for society" because it can force us to look at things from a different perspective and to address difficult topics with humor. Female comedians have faced a difficult time, as women have in almost all segments of society, because the patriarchy doesn't want to hear from us, let alone laugh at our jokes! Many of the women mentioned in this episode deserve their own episode and we are going to give it to them! But for today, its Lucy. We love Lucy!
Lucille Ball was responsible for Star Trek becoming the show we know it as today, as she overrode the Desilu Productions board and approved the expensive production of the pilot. NBC initially rejected the show, but then later ordered a 2nd pilot starring William Shatner as Krik and Lucy financed it. As it turns out, we recorded this episode on "Star Trek Day", which was a total coincidence.
Links:
Hillary's tweets about her emails (suck it, Trump)
https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/1567164268172173315
Brittney Griner
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/brittney-griner-penal-colony-russia/
British PM cabinet fuckery
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/07/world/europe/uk-liz-truss-cabinet.html
Comedians
https://collider.com/galleries/rare-facts-about-lucille-ball/
PS I'm so sorry Carol Burnette...I love you!
Bitchstory Lesson 30 - Bitches be makin' music since forever!
If you are hoping for an episode about musicals, move along. You and Lisa can vibe about musicals on your own time. In this episode we are talking about classical composers. We've only ever heard about Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and the rest of the classical music boys. It never even occurred to us that women had been composers because what we do know is that women were not really allowed to do jack shit. Come to find out, not only were there a lot of very talented female composers going back to even the 11th century, but some of them were so good, that the men around them took credit for their work! Are you shocked? Neither were we! I say this with much bias, but this episode is a pretty good mini education about women in the history of classical music. (Sorry I butchered all the names!)
Here's our main sources:
https://utahsymphony.org/explore/2020/03/10-trailblazing-female-composers-you-need-to-know/
And here's a PLAYLIST!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qUnaheqZvTVpgejSU3IMA?si=1a88a0f02c504165
Bitchstory Lesson 29 - Fabulous Flying Badass Bitches
Everyone has heard of Amelia Earhart. She actually made it into the history books. Sometimes I wonder if she would have been in the books if she'd made it back from that ill-fated flight. Dead women are no threat to the patriarchy. That is so jaded, sorry!
Anyway, this episode is packed with a bunch of badass ladies who have been defying gravity since the very beginning of human flight. We have women in the air from all walks of life and generations, and some of them were quite young! As usual, our own podcast gave Kelly feelings of inferiority. Lisa is a Capricorn, she has no idea what that is like. heehee. This episode is pretty inspirational.
If you need an excuse for a potluck at work or something, here's the days we are nodding at with this ep:
8/18 Nat’l Aviation Day
8/16 Nat’l Aireborne Day
8/20 Nat’l Accessible Air Travel Day
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-accessible-air-travel-day-august-20/
https://www.rd.com/list/famous-women-in-flight/
If you'd like to sponsor an episode, or be a monthly donor, we would be thrilled! Either reach out to us at the coolest email address ever: heybitches@bitchstory.net, or hit the donate button at anchor.fm/bitchstory
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Bitchstory Lesson 28 - An OG Badass Bitch …Cleopatra
Cleopatra VII Philopator was Queen of of Egypt. She was famously wealthy and her legend paints her as a seductress. She was most famously portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor in one of the most expensive films in history in 1963.
The real story is that she was wildly intelligent, a brilliant strategist, spoke 9 or more languages, was revered by her people as a reincarnation of Isis… she was captivating and charming. And she was a threat to a world of Kings and Conquerers…so they did what the patriarchy has always done…they slut shamed her.
https://colinfalconer.org/cleopatra-fact-from-fiction/
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130976125
REACH US:
heybitches@bitchstory.net
Instagram @bitchstory.pod
HOW TO HELP WOMEN'S RIGHTS WITH YOUR VOICE AND YOUR VOTE:
- Well…vote
- Also, call your representative and demand that women’s health be protected!!
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-virginia-inc/fight-back-resources/contact-your-representative
- https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/
- https://reproductiverights.org/take-action-abortion-is-essential/
HOW TO HELP WITH $
https://www.vice.com/en/article/3abgz5/what-abortion-funds-to-donate-money-to-roe-v-wade
https://abortionfunds.org/need-abortion/
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
SIMPLY DIAL 988
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
OR Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor.
Bitchstory Lesson 27 - The badass Bitches who gave us the Reproductive Justice Movement
If you follow the feminist movement, you're probably aware of some of the disagreements within the ranks of feminists. This is not uncommon in any movement - ie: the black rights movement had both The Black Panthers and Martin Luther King Jr.
Anyway, it can be overwhelming when you don't know how to be a good feminist or where to place your trust within the movement. Hint: with the people most unfairly impacted by healthcare restrictions.
In this episode, we talk a bit about the Supreme Court and how it works, and then we discuss how "Reproductive Justice" became the preferred naming for the abortion rights movement.
So get a glass of wine, and let's go to Bitch school and learn how to be better feminists!
REACH US:
heybitches@bitchstory.net
Instagram @bitchstory.pod
HOW TO HELP WOMEN'S RIGHTS WITH YOUR VOICE AND YOUR VOTE:
- Well…vote
- Also, call your representative and demand that women’s health be protected!!
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-virginia-inc/fight-back-resources/contact-your-representative
- https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/
- https://reproductiverights.org/take-action-abortion-is-essential/
HOW TO HELP WITH $
https://www.vice.com/en/article/3abgz5/what-abortion-funds-to-donate-money-to-roe-v-wade
https://abortionfunds.org/need-abortion/
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
SIMPLY DIAL 988
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
OR Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor.
Bitchstory Lesson 26 - Spy Bitches of the Revolution
We’ve covered lady spies before and we can’t get enough. Women during the Revolution used some pretty brilliant tactics to pass coded information. We have pockets and we are taking notes in case, ya know. the women of the US revolt. We will also do a study of sentence structure of the Declaration of Independence. (Hint: COMMA)
REACH US:
heybitches@bitchstory.net
Instagram @bitchstory.pod
HOW TO HELP WOMEN'S RIGHTS WITH YOUR VOICE AND YOUR VOTE:
- Well…vote
- Also, call your representative and demand that women’s health be protected!!
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-virginia-inc/fight-back-resources/contact-your-representative
- https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/
- https://reproductiverights.org/take-action-abortion-is-essential/
HOW TO HELP WITH $
https://www.vice.com/en/article/3abgz5/what-abortion-funds-to-donate-money-to-roe-v-wade
https://abortionfunds.org/need-abortion/
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
SIMPLY DIAL 988
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
OR Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor.
Bitchstory Lesson 25 - The History of Gay Pride
Bitchstory Lesson 24 - Eleanor Roosevelt and the rainbow connection
BitchStory Lesson 23 - Badass Asian Gals
Here's some informational sources for you:
www.scarymommy.com/asian-american-women-activists
www.scmp.com/yp/learn/learning-resources/article/3059250/ching-shih-pirate-queen-south-china-sea-aristocrat-and
THE BOOK WE LOVE:
Bad Girls Throughout History by Ann Shen
Support Reproductive Rights:
www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-virginia-inc/fight-back-resources/contact-your-representative
www.prochoiceamerica.org/
reproductiverights.org/take-action-abortion-is-essential/
Support Abortion Funds:
www.vice.com/en/article/3abgz5/what-abortion-funds-to-donate-money-to-roe-v-wade
abortionfunds.org/need-abortion/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.
800-273-8255
OR
Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor.
Bitchstory Lesson 22 - The Battle for Reproductive Rights
In this episode we do a deep dive into Roe v. Wade and its significance to women's rights as a whole. With Roe v. Wade in danger of being overturned, abortion rights advocates are working as I type this to insure that women have the right to govern their own body. A couple days after we recorded, Louisiana advanced HB813, a bill which could criminalize abortions from the moment of conception on, thereby giving humans rights to a fertilized egg. Essentially, a fertilized egg has more rights than the woman who houses it. If a bill like this is successful, it could also impact the availability of certain kinds of birth control, and because it is a slippery slope, it could affect the availability of all birth control. Our approach for this episode is our usual, straightforward, unapologetic way. We are pissed and we are concerned. We hope this educates, motivates, and maybe even inspires. Please vote in your LOCAL elections. Local politics are really where the juice is, and your voice is needed! here's the notes and sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/infant_mortality_rates/infant_mortality.htm
MARGARET SANGER
https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=sulr_supra
PAT MCGINNIS
***FIND AN ABORTION FUND IN ANY STATE IF YOU WANT TO DONATE, OR IF YOU NEED AN ABORTION***
https://abortionfunds.org/need-abortion/
REACH US:
heybitches@bitchstory.net
Instagram @bitchstory.pod
HOW TO HELP WOMEN'S RIGHTS WITH YOUR VOICE AND YOUR VOTE:
- Well…vote
- Also, call your representative and demand that women’s health be protected!!
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-virginia-inc/fight-back-resources/contact-your-representative
- https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/
- https://reproductiverights.org/take-action-abortion-is-essential/
HOW TO HELP WITH $
https://www.vice.com/en/article/3abgz5/what-abortion-funds-to-donate-money-to-roe-v-wade
https://abortionfunds.org/need-abortion/
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
SIMPLY DIAL 988
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
OR Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor.
BitchStory Lesson 21 - Environmentalist Badasses
www.thecut.com/2021/06/how-rhiana-gunn-wright-gets-it-done.html
www.ourcityforest.org/blog/2021/2/17/marjorie-richard
www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-report-shows-disproportionate-impacts-climate-change-socially-vulnerable#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20
www.climatebreakthroughproject.org/awardee/tessa-khan/
christianafigueres.com/#/
Bitchstory Lesson 20 - Spies Like Us - Badass women of WW2
In this episode, we discuss 2 badass ladies: Mildred Harnack and Virginia Hall. They have very different outcomes, but they are both quite amazing.
Thanks for listening. Thanks for your financial support, we greatly appreciate it!
Here's our sources for this show:
Virginia Hall
www.npr.org/2019/04/18/711356336/a-woman-of-no-importance-finally-gets-her-due
www.intelligence.gov/index.php/people/barrier-breakers-in-history/662-1945-virginia-hall
www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-spy-known-limping-lady-helped-allies-win-wwii-180971889/
www.hulu.com/movie/a-call-to-spy-f71a905b-6556-4647-8b55-656bfce6cea7?entity_id=f71a905b-6556-4647-8b55-656bfce6cea7
Mildred Harnack
www.historynet.com/mildred-harnack-lost-her-life-to-hitler-and-her-legacy-to-the-cold-war/
wisconsinlife.org/story/mildred-harnack-remembering-the-wisconsin-woman-who-resisted-hitler/
pbswisconsin.org/wisconsins-nazi-resistance-the-mildred-fish-harnack-story/.
www.traces.org/mildredfishharnack.html.
Bitchstory Lesson 19 - Badass Bitchstorians
What we found is that the research done by women in academia is often sort of, shall we say...um...borrowed? No, it's often stolen. So we wanted to give credit to some women who have contributed to our collective history in one way or another. We hope you enjoy this meta episode. Please see the notes for all kinds of sources we used and suggest for further reading.
We appreciate your support. Please share with your pack or coven or tribe or ya know, friends.
Follow this amazing gal on IG (she covers a lot of history, what’s happening in Ukraine, interesting current events…and more. I luv her!) @sharonsaysso
www.gerdalerner.com/biography/
hisdoryan.co.uk/female-historians
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/female-historians-unearthing-womens-stories
(Halle Berry is still the only Oscar winner of black leading lady. WTF? How?)
www.nytimes.com/2022/03/24/movies/halle-berry-best-actress-oscar.html