• 2 minutes 17 seconds
    The Topic of Series 17 Will Be ...

    Series 16 on the First Woman has closed out and the vote on the topic of Series 17 is in. It will be ... Women Together.

    I’m currently researching episodes on Vestal Virgins, medieval nuns, female soldiers in Africa, the women’s march on Versailles, the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, and many more. Basically, if it’s something women did together, I’m considering it.

    As per usual, I need a bit of time to prepare, but there will be the shorter On This Day episodes in the interim and the new series will start sometime in October.


    Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.

    Sign up for the newsletter On This Day in Women's History, available on ⁠Patreon⁠ or ⁠Substack⁠. There are free options in both places.

    This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.

    Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

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    10 September 2026, 5:00 am
  • 25 minutes 9 seconds
    Aretha Franklin, First Woman in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (ep. 16.24)

    Aretha Franklin was the Queen of Soul, and one of the most remarkable singers of the 20th century. At various points in her life she sang gospel, jazz, blues, R&B, pop, rock and roll, folk, Broadway, and even opera classics. She also managed to sustain her career for six decades. It's hard for anyone to compete with that.

    This episode contains very short clips of two of Aretha's songs. I believe these to be fair use because they are very short and this episode is for education. If that is not the case, the copyright holders may contact me and I will remove them. If you would like to hear the songs in full, my website has the official YouTube links. Also visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.

    Sign up for the newsletter On This Day in Women's History, available on ⁠Patreon⁠ or ⁠Substack⁠. There are free options in both places.

    This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.

    Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

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    3 September 2026, 5:00 am
  • 22 minutes 1 second
    Wilma Mankiller, First Woman Chief of the Cherokee Nation (ep. 16.23)

    The indigenous people of North America had many powerful women through the ages, but in many cases, we have lost their stories. One story we have not lost is that of Wilma Mankiller, who served as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1985 to 1995. No one was more surprised by that than the girl she once was. Times change and hers is a story of perseverance.

    It's voting time! Please let me know what you want to hear about in series 17. You can vote on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com), which is also where you will find sources, transcripts, and pictures.

    Sign up for the newsletter On This Day in Women's History, available on ⁠Patreon⁠ or ⁠Substack⁠. There are free options in both places.

    This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.

    Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 August 2026, 5:00 am
  • 24 minutes 41 seconds
    Junko Tabei, First Woman to Climb Everest (ep. 16.22)

    In 1975, Junko Tabei was part of an all-female, all-Japanese team climbing the world's highest mountain. It was touch and go there for a while, but she made: the first woman at the summit of Everest.

    It's voting time! Please let me know what you want to hear about in series 17. You can vote on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com), which is also where you will find sources, transcripts, and pictures.

    Sign up for the newsletter On This Day in Women's History, available on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠. There are free options in both places.

    This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.

    Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 August 2026, 5:00 am
  • 8 minutes 33 seconds
    On This Day in 1967: Two Women, Two Grizzlies, and Changes in Wildlife Policies

    Bonus episode from the newsletter On This Day in Women's History!

    On August 12-13, 1967, Glacier National Park had a double tragedy: two 19-year-old girls were hiking in separate groups in separate parts of the park. Both were attacked by grizzly bears. For Julie and Michele, the results were deadly. But for other people and bears, the tragedy had more positive consequences. As a result of this night, wildlife management changed. Many familiar policies were instituted after this night to keep both humans and bears safe.



    There are two ways to sign up for the newsletter:

    Either way, the story about the historical woman is free, along with news about the podcast, and a place to share your recommendations for historical books, movies, shows, etc. If you sign up as a subscriber, you're also helping me keep this show going, and I'll send you bonus content each week as a thank you.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

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    13 August 2026, 5:00 am
  • 19 minutes 18 seconds
    Valentina Tereshkova, First Woman in Space (ep. 16.21)

    In the race for space, the Soviets won all of the opening rounds, including the race to put the first woman in orbit. Her name was Valentina Tereshkova, and while we are clear on her success out there, the exact details are a whole lot less clear.

    It is time to vote for the topic of Series 17! Please visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com) to vote, and also look at sources, transcripts, and pictures.

    Sign up for the newsletter On This Day in Women's History, available on ⁠Patreon⁠ or ⁠Substack⁠. There are free options in both places.

    This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.

    Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    6 August 2026, 5:00 am
  • 18 minutes 49 seconds
    Sirimavo Bandaranaike, First Woman Elected as Head of Government (ep. 16.20)

    Many women have served as the head of government for their respected countries. But usually that's because they were part of a royal family, and they inherited the office. Getting elected to the top job is an entirely different matter. The first woman to do that was Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka. She won the elections for prime minister in 1960.

    Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.

    Sign up for the newsletter On This Day in Women's History, available on ⁠Patreon⁠ or ⁠Substack⁠. There are free options in both places.

    This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.

    Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 July 2026, 5:00 am
  • 20 minutes 50 seconds
    Regina Jonas, First Woman Rabbi (ep. 16.19)

    Most of the world's great religions have reserved most of the authority for men. This was certainly true of Judaism, but in the early 20th century, Regina Jonas was trained and ordained to serve her people as a rabbi. She continued to do so for all of her short life, even during the Holocaust.

    Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.

    Sign up for the newsletter On This Day in Women's History, available on ⁠Patreon⁠ or ⁠Substack⁠. There are free options in both places.

    This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.

    Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 July 2026, 5:00 am
  • 5 minutes
    On This Day in 1918: The Romanovs Awake for the Last Time

    Bonus episode from the newsletter On This Day in Women's History!

    In the evening of July 16, 1918, the Romanov family went to bed as usual in Ipatiev House, where they were being held under house arrest. But they were awoken in the middle of the night, ostensibly so they could be moved to a safer location. The former Tsar Nikolai and the former Tsarina Alexandra went downstairs to the cellar with their four daughters and one son: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and Alexei. They would never come up again.

    There are two ways to sign up for the newsletter:

    Either way, the story about the historical woman is free, along with news about the podcast, and a place to share your recommendations for historical books, movies, shows, etc. If you sign up as a subscriber, you're also helping me keep this show going, and I'll send you bonus content each week as a thank you.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    16 July 2026, 5:00 am
  • 26 minutes 31 seconds
    Amelia Earhart, First Woman to Fly Over Oceans (ep. 16.18)

    Amelia Earhart was famous as the first woman to fly across the Atlantic (first as a passenger, second as a pilot). She was also the first person to fly from Hawaii to California, as well as any number of other piloting firsts. Sadly, her last grand adventure didn't end in success.

    Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.

    Sign up for the newsletter On This Day in Women's History, available on ⁠Patreon⁠ or ⁠Substack⁠. There are free options in both places.

    This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.

    Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    9 July 2026, 5:00 am
  • 25 minutes 23 seconds
    America the Beautiful and Katharine Lee Bates

    The words of "America the Beautiful" were written by Katharine Lee Bates after a trip from Massachusetts to Colorado and up to the top of Pike's Peak. This is the story of how they were written and how they became so popular. It's a holiday bonus episode to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America.

    Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.

    Sign up for the newsletter On This Day in Women's History, available on ⁠Patreon⁠ or ⁠Substack⁠. There are free options in both places.

    This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.

    Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows.

    Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History.

    The music in the episode is all recorded by me. The melodies are in the public domain, as is Katharine's text.

    The featured image is the view from Pike's Peak, by John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2 July 2026, 5:00 am
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