HerStance: Legacy of Resilience

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The Nobel Prize honors monumental achievement, a recognition that inspires us to uphold the ideals of knowledge, compassion, and courage. But for countless women, that recognition has been slow to arrive, even as their work fundamentally shaped our understanding of the world. 

This episode dives deep into the lives and work of women who have fundamentally shaped our world and our understanding of it. These are the scientists who made monumental discoveries for the sheer fun of doing physics, the writers who gave vital life to essential human complexities, and the p...

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Today, we're diving into the dramatic, controversial, and deeply moving story of María Eva Duarte de Perón—better known simply as Evita. Her ascent from rural poverty to become the most powerful woman in Argentine history is one of Latin America's most compelling tales. She forever changed her nation's political landscape, but was she a proto-feminist icon or an iron fist cloaked in glamour? Stay until the end for two HerStance challenges to put Eva Peron's inspiration into action.

#Evita #FeministHistory #EvaPeron #HerStancePodcast #ArgentineHistory #PowerfulWomen #PoliticalIcon #ProtoFeminist #Latin...

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This week, we dive into the life and explosive legacy of Margaret Sanger—the radical nurse who coined the term "birth control" and took on a federal anti-obscenity law, the Comstock Act of 1873, to educate on and deliver reproductive health. We're calling her an "Empathy Engine" because her fight was born from a deep, human compassion for women suffering from unwanted pregnancies and dangerous, illegal abortions.

Sanger’s revolutionary work fundamentally changed the world for millions, giving women bodily autonomy. But her...

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Welcome to Conversations with a Catalyst, a new series on the show! In these special episodes, we'll shift the format a bit to highlight incredible contemporary women who are not only reflecting on the legacies of our foremothers but also building a more equitable future for the generations to come.

For our very first Conversations with a Catalyst episode, we're joined by Dotty Delafield, a retired librarian and fierce community activist. Carrying on the work of the strong women who came before her, Dotty has...

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From an aspiring playwright to the first woman to host her own variety show, Carol Burnett has been a trailblazer, a comedic genius, and a feminist icon. At 91 years old, she's still breaking ground as the oldest woman to be nominated for a comedy acting Emmy in 2024. A seven-time Emmy winner already, Burnett has been entertaining audiences since the 1960s with her blend of physical comedy, musical talent, and a signature tug of the ear.

In this episode we'll explore how she redefined what it meant to be a woman in...

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Welcome back to HerStance, the podcast that looks at the world through the lens of groundbreaking women. Today, we're lacing up our sneakers and stepping onto the court with a woman who didn't just play the game—she changed it, for everyone. This is the story of Billie Jean King, not just as a tennis champion, but as a feminist revolutionary.

When you think of Billie Jean King, the mind often goes straight to 1973. The "Battle of the Sexes." The media spectacle. The iconic image of her holding a racket, a tr...

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Some names are forever cemented in history for their infamy. But what about the brilliant women whose names should be celebrated, yet have been deliberately silenced? On this episode of HerStance, we confront a phenomenon with a name: The Matilda Effect. We'll uncover who Matilda was and explore the shocking practice of erasing women's contributions—not just an oversight, but a deliberate act to diminish their accomplishments or credit them to men. We also dive into the remarkable story of Margaret Rossiter, the historian who coined the term and de...

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How does a woman rise from the depths of poverty and orphanhood to become America's first female self-made millionaire, and what can her journey teach us about creating lasting change? In this episode of HerStance, we dive into the incredible life and profound legacy of Madam C.J. Walker. Born Sarah Breedlove in the challenging era of post-Civil War Louisiana, Madam Walker was a testament to unparalleled resilience, innovation, and determination. Her story, however, extends far beyond personal triumph. We'll explore her powerful commitment to using her wealth to empower others...

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You know the image: the "Lady with the Lamp," a beacon of compassion on the battlefields. But what if we told you Florence Nightingale, the foundational philosopher of modern nursing, was far more than just a quiet caregiver?

Welcome to HerStance, the podcast that dives deep into the lives of history's most impactful women. In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on Florence Nightingale, revealing the statistician, social reformer, and visionary who transformed medical care as we know it. Did you know she had...

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Last month, May 2025, the feminist movement lost a titan. We said goodbye to a 'second wave' pioneer whose relentless writing, fearless protesting, and groundbreaking national conversations fundamentally reshaped our understanding of sex, marital reproductive rights, workplace harassment, and domestic violence. These are sensitive topics, and we urge you to listen with care.

Today on HerStance, we honor the radical and impactful life of Susan Brownmiller, a prominent feminist and author of the 1960s and 1970s. We'll delve into her influential books, including her landmark bestseller "Against Our Will," and explore how...

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 Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) – a mouthful, we know! But this cutting-edge wireless technology, where signals rapidly "hop" between different frequencies, is probably in your pocket right now. It's the secret sauce behind your Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth, and a vital tool for military security. Pretty cool, right?

But as usual, here on HerStance, we're about to unveil a little-known yet incredibly important aspect of this invention. Intrigued? What if we told you that the brilliant mind behind this groundbreaking technology was once known as "the most beautiful woman in the wor...

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Before diving into today's complex headlines and the swirling debates of social media, let's take a HerStance back to the foundational principles of our government – guided by two women who defied the odds. This episode explores the remarkable journeys of Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first and second women appointed to the Supreme Court. 

Despite their wildly different backgrounds, both possessed an unyielding self-confidence, a profound belief in their own capabilities, and a fierce refusal to be deemed inferior by the men around them. 

We'll trace O'Co...

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 Forget what you think you know about Champagne! This episode of HerStance uncorks a hidden truth, challenging the long-held belief about who really invented the crucial riddling process of the Méthode Champenoise. Join us as we journey from the vineyards of Reims, France, to the inspiring story of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, the "Grande Dame of Champagne." Discover how this visionary woman not only revolutionized bubbly but also became a savvy international businesswoman, proving that the future of wine – and innovation – is undeniably female. Plus, stick around for this week's HerStance Challenge to unlock...

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The remarkable journey of Dr. Maria Montessori reveals a woman who defied every boundary placed before her in 19th century Italy. This episode of HerStance explores how this determined pioneer transformed from a girl who wasn't considered exceptional in early grades to becoming one of Italy's first female physicians—facing hostility and harassment every step of the way.

Dr. Montessori's revolutionary educational method was born from her work with marginalized children in Rome's slums, where she created child-sized environments that put learning directly in children's hands. What began as an experiment wi...

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Today, on HerStance, we're diving deep into the life of a woman who didn't just break barriers, she obliterated them. We'll trace her journey from slavery to the forefront of the women's rights movement, and examine how her fight for intersectionality fuels the fire of today's feminism. 

There are other episodes, 1 - 11 on YouTube at  http://www.youtube.com/@HerStance

So definitely check those episodes out – courageous women like Eve and Mary Magdelene of the Christian Bible, Medusa from Greek Mythology, and the real story of Pocahontas.

Musi...

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HerStance isn't just about history. It's about drawing powerful parallels to the social issues we face now. We explore their challenges, their triumphs, and most importantly, their stance. And each episode culminates in a 'HerStance Challenge' – a practical step you can take to create change in your own community.

Join us every two weeks as we reclaim these narratives and build a legacy of true equality. Be inspired. Be informed. Be part of the movement.

You can get started right now by watching or listening to...