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Thinking back to our history classes growing up, we had one question: Where the ladies at? Enter, Womanica. In just 5 minutes a day, learn about different incredible women from throughout history. On Wonder Media Network’s award-winning podcast, we’re telling the stories of women you may or may not know — but definitely should.
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A journey through a diverse collection of remarkable communities and movements figuring out how to build power, solidarity, and connection in a world beset by disasters — both natural and human-caused. From hurricanes to wildfires to reactionary politics and more, The Response's audio documentaries and interviews highlight some of the most inspiring stories of response and pave a path towards the better world we know is possible.
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Ida Lupino (1918-1995) was a British-American actress, producer, writer, and director. She acted in over 50 movies, wrote and directed several of her own films, and directed many popular TV shows. She was only the second woman to be admitted to the Directors Guild of America and explored taboo topics through her work. For Further Reading Ida Lupino…
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Judy A. Smith (1958 - present) is an American crisis manager, lawyer, author and television producer. Her work in crisis management over the years has earned the title of “professional fixer” and is seen as the inspiration for the ABC television series “Scandal.” This bonus episode is brought to you by the CBS Original ELSBETH. For Further Reading …
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Isobel Gowdie (fl. 1662) was a Scottish woman who confessed to witchcraft during a period historians now call “The Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1661-1662.” She told elaborate, extensive, and often subversive, stories about being a witch. For Further Reading: Go in the Devil’s Name The Subversive Fantasy of Isobel Gowdie Isobel Gowdie and the Untold…
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Enriqueta Martí (c. 1868-1913) was a Spanish woman infamously known as the "Vampire of Barcelona" due to her alleged involvement in child abduction, exploitation, and murder in the early 20th century. According to legend, she led a double life, posing as a healer and beggar while secretly preying on vulnerable children, using them for black magic r…
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Emily Gerard (1849-1905) was a Scottish writer whose collection of Transylvanian folklore served as direct inspiration for Bram Stoker as he was penning his famous and beloved novel Dracula. For Further Reading: Mystery of the Scottish woman who inspired Dracula The Scottish Anthropologist Who Inspired Dracula ‹ CrimeReads Bram Stoker’s Dracula ins…
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La Sayona is a myth from Venezuelan folklore who wanders the country, seducing and killing men who dare to be unfaithful to their wives. For Further Reading: Column: La Sayona, a legend about revenge, treason and motherhood Relatos Orales de Latinoamérica Dos venezolanos le ponen rostro a la leyenda de La Sayona de HBO World must confront Maduro’s …
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Maila Nurmi (1922-2008) was a Finnish-American actress who made her mark as television’s first horror host, playing Vampira on The Vampira Show. For Further Reading: Vampira: An Appreciation of the Undersung Proto-Goth Goddess How Maila Nurmi’s Niece Unearthed the Hidden History of Goth Icon Vampira Maila Nurmi, TV’s Vampira, dies at 85 October is …
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Dorothy Vaughan (1910-2008) was an American mathematician and human computer who worked for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), and then NASA. She made waves in the industry at a time when racial and gender discrimination prevented women of color from gaining recognition for their work. Her life and contributions were honored in…
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Isabella Tomasi, a.k.a. Maria Crocifissa della Concezione (1645-1699) was a Benedictine nun who lived in a convent in Sicily, Italy and claimed she was possessed by the Devil. In 1676, she wrote a cryptic letter that no one was able to decipher until 2017. Scientists theorize that rather than being 'possessed by the devil', Maria suffered from schi…
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Lamia is a demon from Greek mythology famous for her penchant for devouring children. Sometimes she’s depicted as a fearsome and hideous demon, other times she appears beautiful yet vampiric, seducing young men before drinking their blood. For Further Reading: Men Have Feared Women for Millennia. Just Look at the Monsters of Greek Mythology | Smith…
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Fay Wray (1907-2004) was an actress best known for her role as Ann Darrow in the iconic 1933 film King Kong. Fay became a symbol of Hollywood's Golden Age and is remembered for her contributions to the horror and adventure genres. For Further Reading: Fay Wray, Beauty to Kong's Beast, Dies at 96 - The New York Times From the Archives: Fay Wray, 96;…
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The Banshee is a female spirit in Irish folklore who heralds the death of a family member — usually by screaming, wailing, or keening. For Further Reading: In Search of the Irish Family Banshee, Her Cry Echoing Across Generations The Banshee: The Wailing Fairy Woman of Ireland Exploring Irish Mythology: The Banshee October is the perfect time to de…
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Shirley Jackson (1916-1965) was an essayist, novelist, cartoonist, and short story writer specializing in horror and fantasy. Her dystopian short story “The Lottery” and “The Haunting of Hill House” are considered some of the greatest works of horror of the 20th century. For Further Reading: Laurence Jackson Hyman on his mother Shirley: ‘Her work i…
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Betty Friedan (1921-2006) was an American feminist writer and activist. Her first book The Feminine Mystique is often credited with launching the second wave of feminism. This bonus episode is brought to you by the CBS Original ELSBETH. For Further Reading: Betty Friedan, Who Ignited Cause in 'Feminine Mystique,' Dies at 85 The Powerful, Complicate…
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Kuchisake Onna, or the slit mouthed woman, is an ancient Japanese ghost. She is known as a vengeful woman who was mutilated at the hands of someone she trusted. The folktale says she approaches single travelers in the night and asks them, “Am I beautiful?” If they answer incorrectly, she will mutilate their face to match her. For Further Reading: T…
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Paula Maxa (1898-1970) was dubbed “The Most Murdered Woman in the World” and “The Princess of Blood” for her many on-stage deaths as a star performer at a Paris theater famed for its reliance on horror and gore. For Further Reading: The Most Murdered Woman in the World Paula Maxa: The scream queen of the Grand Guignol Why the Grand Guignol was so s…
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Nannie Doss (1905-1964) was an American serial killer who may have been responsible for the deaths of at least 12 people, four of which were her spouses. Journalists gave Nannie the nicknames “The Giggling Granny” and “the Lonely Hearts Killer.” For Further Reading: Nannie Doss The Story Of Nannie Doss, The ‘Giggling Granny’ Who Spent Decades Murde…
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Eloyce Gist (1892-1974) was a trailblazing African American film director and screenwriter who made educational religious films with her husband. They toured the country with these films, which were used to scare audiences into adopting a Christian way of life. For Further Reading: Oscar Micheaux and his circle: African American filmmaking and race…
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“La Pascualita,” a mannequin in a bridal shop in Chihuahua, Mexico, has attracted hundreds of visitors and inspired numerous stories, songs, and Internet musings since she was first installed in 1930. According to the legend, she is actually the embalmed corpse of the original shop owner’s daughter, who died of a spider bite shortly before her wedd…
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Dolly Parton (b. 1946) has worn a lot of hats — or, wigs might be more apt. Country music star. Actress. Philanthropist. Theme park founder. From her roots as a small-time country singer from rural Tennessee to her current status as a household name, she’s made an indelible mark on American pop culture. This bonus episode is brought to you by the C…
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Anne Rice (1941-2021) was a bestselling American author who gained acclaim for her book Interview With the Vampire, which became the first installment in the popular series The Vampire Chronicles. For Further Reading: NYT, Novels You Can Sink Your Teeth Into Interview With A Vampire, by Anne Rice Anne Rice, The Official Site You Asked, Anne Answere…
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Also known as “The Beautiful, One-Legged Protector of the Andes,” La Patasola is a vengeful spirit that targets men, especially those trying to exploit the natural world for their own personal gain – like hunters, miners and loggers. For Further Reading: The Lonely Duck La Patasola Is the Vengeful Protector of the Andes The Patasola: archetypal roo…
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Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) was an English novelist and playwright whose gothic romance works have been described as “moody and resonant." Many of her novels and short stories have been adapted into films including: Rebecca, Frenchman’s Creek, My Cousin Rachel, The Birds, and Don’t Look Now. For Further Reading: Daphne du Maurier Mistress of mena…
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The writhing serpent hair. The fearsome gaze that can turn onlookers to solid stone. Medusa is one of the most instantly recognizable monsters of Greek mythology. But her story and image have evolved over the centuries — sometimes a villain, sometimes a victim, sometimes a divine goddess. For Further Reading: Medusa | Myth & Story | Britannica Medu…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955). She was a pioneering American educator and education activist, civil rights activist, stateswoman, philanthropist, writer and humanitarian. This month, we’re heading back to school – and…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Lee Miller (1907-1977). She was legendary for her beauty, which was captured on film by Jean Cocteau, painted by Pablo Picasso, and photographed by Man Ray. However, she was also a talented photographer, writer, and one…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), a journalist and writer. She is often considered the first female sociologist known for popularizing political economy. Over the course of her lifetime, she wrote 35 books and countless es…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Mamá Tingó (1921-1974). She was an Dominican activist who is often overlooked in historical accounts. She led protests to save her farm — and the farms of 350 other families — from an illegal land seizure. She was assas…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Hua Mulan (c. 400-600 AD). She was the hero of an iconic Chinese tale that remains a symbol of courage, familial duty, and national pride. This month, we’re heading back to school – and we’re taking you along with us! F…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Patsy Mink (1927-2002). She was the first woman of color and Asian American woman to serve in Congress, she was also a major author of Title IX. This month, we’re heading back to school – and we’re taking you along with…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Henrietta Lacks (1920-1951). She unknowingly shaped modern medicine. For the last seventy years, scientists have used cells taken from her body–without her knowledge or permission–to develop vaccines, conduct research, …
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Dr. Ruth Westheimer (1928-2024). She helped her listeners, viewers, and readers have more fulfilling sex for over four decades. Her disarming and relatable demeanor endeared her to generations of Americans and made comp…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Katsuko Saruhashi (1920-2007). She was the first woman to receive a PhD in chemistry in Japan. As a geochemist, she notably detected the dangers of radioactive fallout and how far it can travel. This month, we’re headin…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Mae Carol Jemison (1956-present), engineer, physician and astronaut who became the first Black woman in space. This month, we’re heading back to school – and we’re taking you along with us! For all of September, we’ll b…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Val Plumwood (1939-2008). She was an environmentalist and philosopher who went against the grain. She was a pioneering thinker in ecofeminism. She believed that the western human-centric approach to life devalued nature…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Evelyn Berezin (1925-2018), who built and marketed the first computerized word processor. This month, we’re heading back to school – and we’re taking you along with us! For all of September, we’ll be bringing back some …
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Maria Agnesi (1718-1799). She did groundbreaking work in the field of mathematics, creating a two-volume textbook that helped to shape math education. Later, she gave up her academic success to serve the poor and live i…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Maryam Mirzakhani (1977-2017). She was an optimist and an innovator, contributing new points of view and new teachings to the fields of dynamics and geometry. She is the only woman to have won the coveted Fields Medal. …
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Sophie Germain (1776-1831). She was a French mathematician and physicist who contributed to the study of acoustics, elasticity, and number theory. She was forced to assume a fake male identity to have her work taken ser…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Ada Lovelace (1815-1852). She is known as the first computer programmer. Despite living during a time when women were not considered scientific thinkers, her contributions to computer science are indispensable–and indis…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Ella Cara Deloria (1889-1971). She was a linguist and ethnographer who became one of the foremost experts on Dakota and Lakota oral history. This month, we’re heading back to school – and we’re taking you along with us!…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Sappho (c. 615 BC). She was an ancient Greek poet and an architect of the very words we use to talk about queer identity today. This month, we’re heading back to school – and we’re taking you along with us! For all of S…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Gayl Jones (1949-present). She is a prolific author celebrated for her writing about Black womanhood, slavery, and the African Diaspora. She disappeared from public life by choice until very recently, when she reappeare…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Begum Rokeya (c. 1880-1932). She spent her life fighting for women’s rights in India and Bangladesh. She opened the first school for Muslim girls in her region and advocated for women’s education. She dreamed of a world…
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This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Marguerite Duras (1914-1996). She was a pioneer of autofiction and one of the most widely-read French writers in the postwar era. She specialized in blurring the lines between autobiography and imagination, mining her m…
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Monica Seles (1973-present) and Steffi Graf (1969-present) held one of the most famous rivalries in tennis history. They battled for the No. 1 ranking for years, equally matched in prowess. This episode of Womanica is brought to you by the all-new Toyota Camry. For further reading: Fifty Years of the WTA: Steffi Graf and Monica Seles give us the ne…
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Roxanne Shanté (1969-present) ignited The Roxanne Wars, a series of hip hop rivalries during the mid 1980s, that created the most answered records in history. It was also one of the first “rap beefs” in history. For Further Reading: How a 14-year-old started the world’s first rap beef The story of the first ever rap beef ROXANNE’S REVENGE A brief h…
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Lee Radziwill (1933-2019) was an American socialite, public relations executive, and interior designer. She was the younger sister of former First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Lee and her sister had a complicated relationship that often relegated Lee to the shadows. For Further Reading: Lee Radziwill, Ex-Princess and Sister of Jacquelin…
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Louella Parsons (1881-1972) was an American gossip columnist and screenwriter, whose work boasted an audience of 20 million across many newspapers. She called herself the first-ever film reviewer and was known for her influence in Hollywood and her fierce competition with rival journalist Hedda Hopper. For Further Reading: The Powerful Rivalry of H…
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Zelia Nuttall (1857-1933) was a Mexican-American archaeologist. She was a single mother who decoded a number of Mesoamerican texts and artifacts, including the Nuttall Codex and the Aztec Calendar Stone. She laid the groundwork for archaeologists to reimagine pre-Hispanic civilizations in a new light. For Further Reading: The Globe-Trotting Scholar…
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