women’s history

Mary Todd Lincoln: American History’s Most Misunderstood First Lady

Mary Todd Lincoln led a tragic life and suffered through the deaths of her mother, three of her children, and her husband. Today, she also suffers from history's cold gaze.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 26, 2021

Mary Todd Lincoln: American History’s Most Misunderstood First Lady

Mary Todd Lincoln led a tragic life and suffered through the deaths of her mother, three of her children, and her husband. Today, she also suffers from history's cold gaze.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 26, 2021

The Complicated Story Of Norma McCorvey, The ‘Jane Roe’ From Roe V. Wade

As "Jane Roe," she fought for the right to choose in the landmark Roe v. Wade case. As Norma McCorvey, she later took money to push an anti-abortion agenda.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 25, 2021

The Complicated Story Of Norma McCorvey, The ‘Jane Roe’ From Roe V. Wade

As "Jane Roe," she fought for the right to choose in the landmark Roe v. Wade case. As Norma McCorvey, she later took money to push an anti-abortion agenda.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 25, 2021

She Became America’s First Female Mayor — Because Of A Sexist Prank

Hoping to humiliate women in politics, a group of men jokingly nominated Susanna Salter for mayor of a Kansas town in 1887. But they didn't expect her to win.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 23, 2021

She Became America’s First Female Mayor — Because Of A Sexist Prank

Hoping to humiliate women in politics, a group of men jokingly nominated Susanna Salter for mayor of a Kansas town in 1887. But they didn't expect her to win.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 23, 2021

Meet Helen Hulick, The Woman Who Was Jailed For Wearing Pants To Court

In November 1938, Helen Hulick was about to testify against two men who had burgled her building. But then, the judge held her in contempt of court — for refusing to wear a dress.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 21, 2021

Meet Helen Hulick, The Woman Who Was Jailed For Wearing Pants To Court

In November 1938, Helen Hulick was about to testify against two men who had burgled her building. But then, the judge held her in contempt of court — for refusing to wear a dress.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 21, 2021

The Mind-Boggling Tale Of Shanti Devi, The Indian Child Who Claimed She Lived Twice

When she was just four years old, Shanti Devi began telling her parents eerily specific details about her old life in a town 75 miles from where she was born — and a place she'd never been to before.

By Marc Hartzman • May 20, 2021

The Mind-Boggling Tale Of Shanti Devi, The Indian Child Who Claimed She Lived Twice

When she was just four years old, Shanti Devi began telling her parents eerily specific details about her old life in a town 75 miles from where she was born — and a place she'd never been to before.

By Marc Hartzman • May 20, 2021

The Remarkable Legacy Of Jane Bolin, The First Black Female Judge In The United States

On July 22, 1939, Jane Bolin was sworn in as a judge in New York City. She would go on to serve in this position for the next 40 years.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 14, 2021

The Remarkable Legacy Of Jane Bolin, The First Black Female Judge In The United States

On July 22, 1939, Jane Bolin was sworn in as a judge in New York City. She would go on to serve in this position for the next 40 years.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 14, 2021

The Colorful Story Of Maud Wagner, American History’s First Female Tattoo Artist

An aerialist in the circus at the turn of the 20th century, Maud Wagner broke barriers by both giving and receiving hundreds of tattoos.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 13, 2021

The Colorful Story Of Maud Wagner, American History’s First Female Tattoo Artist

An aerialist in the circus at the turn of the 20th century, Maud Wagner broke barriers by both giving and receiving hundreds of tattoos.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 13, 2021

The Story Of Lída Baarová, The Silver Screen Mistress Of Joseph Goebbels

Because of her affair with Goebbels, Lída Baarová was shamed in the press worldwide, hounded by the Gestapo, barred from acting, and eventually arrested and threatened with a death sentence.

By Victoria Linchong • May 12, 2021

The Story Of Lída Baarová, The Silver Screen Mistress Of Joseph Goebbels

Because of her affair with Goebbels, Lída Baarová was shamed in the press worldwide, hounded by the Gestapo, barred from acting, and eventually arrested and threatened with a death sentence.

By Victoria Linchong • May 12, 2021

Meet Alice Guy-Blaché, The First Female Filmmaker In The World

In the early 1900s, Alice Guy-Blaché directed one of the first narrative films and founded her own studio before the glory days of Hollywood. But then, she nearly disappeared from history.

By Victoria Linchong • May 10, 2021

Meet Alice Guy-Blaché, The First Female Filmmaker In The World

In the early 1900s, Alice Guy-Blaché directed one of the first narrative films and founded her own studio before the glory days of Hollywood. But then, she nearly disappeared from history.

By Victoria Linchong • May 10, 2021

Meet The Dahomey Amazons, The Fearless All-Female Army That Once Dominated West Africa

Trained to be ruthless killers, Dahomey Amazons struck fear into the hearts of 19th-century colonizers. And though they were ultimately defeated, some survivors still got their revenge.

By Genevieve Carlton • Apr 30, 2021

Meet The Dahomey Amazons, The Fearless All-Female Army That Once Dominated West Africa

Trained to be ruthless killers, Dahomey Amazons struck fear into the hearts of 19th-century colonizers. And though they were ultimately defeated, some survivors still got their revenge.

By Genevieve Carlton • April 30, 2021