women’s history

Stagecoach Mary Fields: America’s First Black Postwoman Who Was A Gunslinging Badass

They say Mary Fields had "the temperament of a grizzly bear" and a quick hand on the draw, but it would be her devotion to her community that made her a legend across the Wild West.

By Genevieve Carlton • Feb 19, 2020

Stagecoach Mary Fields: America’s First Black Postwoman Who Was A Gunslinging Badass

They say Mary Fields had "the temperament of a grizzly bear" and a quick hand on the draw, but it would be her devotion to her community that made her a legend across the Wild West.

By Genevieve Carlton • February 19, 2020

Meet Charlotte Corday, The Woman Who Assassinated A French Revolutionary Hero — And Inspired One Of History’s Greatest Paintings

On July 13, 1793, Charlotte Corday stabbed French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat to death in his bathtub. She later claimed, "I killed one man to save 100,000."

By Morgan Dunn • Feb 17, 2020

Meet Charlotte Corday, The Woman Who Assassinated A French Revolutionary Hero — And Inspired One Of History’s Greatest Paintings

On July 13, 1793, Charlotte Corday stabbed French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat to death in his bathtub. She later claimed, "I killed one man to save 100,000."

By Morgan Dunn • February 17, 2020

Meet Olympe De Gouges, The Radical Women’s Rights Activist Who Was Guillotined By French Revolutionaries

Olympe de Gouges demanded the regulation of prostitution and the dissolution of marriage, but when she criticized Maximillien Robespierre's Reign of Terror, he silenced her for good.

By Genevieve Carlton • Feb 9, 2020

Meet Olympe De Gouges, The Radical Women’s Rights Activist Who Was Guillotined By French Revolutionaries

Olympe de Gouges demanded the regulation of prostitution and the dissolution of marriage, but when she criticized Maximillien Robespierre's Reign of Terror, he silenced her for good.

By Genevieve Carlton • February 9, 2020

When Camille Bell’s Son Was Killed During The Atlanta Child Murders, She Rallied Her City To Demand Justice

Camille Bell's son was found dead on Nov. 8, 1979, an early victim of the Atlanta Child Murders. Grief-stricken, Bell's anguish drove her to seek justice for the slain and safety for the living.

By Natasha Ishak • Feb 7, 2020

When Camille Bell’s Son Was Killed During The Atlanta Child Murders, She Rallied Her City To Demand Justice

Camille Bell's son was found dead on Nov. 8, 1979, an early victim of the Atlanta Child Murders. Grief-stricken, Bell's anguish drove her to seek justice for the slain and safety for the living.

By Natasha Ishak • February 7, 2020

Meet Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, The First — And Only — Woman To Receive A Medal Of Honor

She was not only the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army, but Dr. Mary Edwards Walker also managed to survive a Confederate prison and overcome extreme misogyny to earn herself a spot in American history.

By Genevieve Carlton • Feb 4, 2020

Meet Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, The First — And Only — Woman To Receive A Medal Of Honor

She was not only the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army, but Dr. Mary Edwards Walker also managed to survive a Confederate prison and overcome extreme misogyny to earn herself a spot in American history.

By Genevieve Carlton • February 4, 2020

Meet Darya Saltykova, The Russian Blood Countess Who Slaughtered 138 Of Her Serfs For Fun

It was said Darya Saltykova flayed her young servants, poured boiling water on them, and even trampled the belly of one who was pregnant.

By Andrew Milne • Jan 26, 2020

Meet Darya Saltykova, The Russian Blood Countess Who Slaughtered 138 Of Her Serfs For Fun

It was said Darya Saltykova flayed her young servants, poured boiling water on them, and even trampled the belly of one who was pregnant.

By Andrew Milne • January 26, 2020

How French ‘Casket Girls’ Were Forced Into The New World To ‘Tame’ The Male Settlers

In the 1700s, there were too many men and not enough women in France's Louisiana territory. So King Louis XIV devised a "solution."

By Andrew Milne • Jan 14, 2020

How French ‘Casket Girls’ Were Forced Into The New World To ‘Tame’ The Male Settlers

In the 1700s, there were too many men and not enough women in France's Louisiana territory. So King Louis XIV devised a "solution."

By Andrew Milne • January 14, 2020

Meet Maryam Khatoon Molkara, The Trans Activist Who Helped Legalize Gender-Confirming Surgeries In Iran

Despite facing the conservative culture of 1980s Iran, Maryam Molkara helped convince the nation’s leader to make sex reassignment procedures legal — a legacy that remains to this day.

By Natasha Ishak • Jan 13, 2020

Meet Maryam Khatoon Molkara, The Trans Activist Who Helped Legalize Gender-Confirming Surgeries In Iran

Despite facing the conservative culture of 1980s Iran, Maryam Molkara helped convince the nation’s leader to make sex reassignment procedures legal — a legacy that remains to this day.

By Natasha Ishak • January 13, 2020

Elizabeth Jennings Graham Helped Desegregate New York City Streetcars 100 Years Before Rosa Parks

Elizabeth Jennings Graham was told to get off the trolley and wait for one with "her people" on it. She said she didn't have people and refused to get off.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 11, 2020

Elizabeth Jennings Graham Helped Desegregate New York City Streetcars 100 Years Before Rosa Parks

Elizabeth Jennings Graham was told to get off the trolley and wait for one with "her people" on it. She said she didn't have people and refused to get off.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 11, 2020

The Mysterious Death of Thelma Todd, Hollywood’s ‘Ice Cream Blonde’

Thelma Todd was one of early Hollywood's brightest stars — until she was found dead in 1935. Although her death was ruled a suicide, many believe she was actually murdered.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Jan 10, 2020

The Mysterious Death of Thelma Todd, Hollywood’s ‘Ice Cream Blonde’

Thelma Todd was one of early Hollywood's brightest stars — until she was found dead in 1935. Although her death was ruled a suicide, many believe she was actually murdered.

By Jaclyn Anglis • January 10, 2020