Iowans are quite familiar with nightmarish storms, with massive floods, with nature's spontaneously vengeful spirit. Many are also quite familiar with the brave girl who managed to put up a fight against those seemingly unstoppable forces. But for those whose born-and-bred Iowa kin didn't regale the legendary tale of a teenager who risked life and... Continue Reading →
In the 1950's, being a woman meant being married was the greatest achievement one could accomplish in the eyes of society. The woman's place, like an unwelcome throwback to the "cult of domesticity" ideology that plagued the 19th century, was the home. The role of domestic work was especially reserved for women of color, who... Continue Reading →
Though rare, famous tales of notorious female pirates have become more widely shared as time went on. Names like Anne Bonny and Mary Read are at least recognizable, if not commonly known. There's nothing wrong with sharing these stories. After centuries of people reveling in the dastardly deeds of the Calico Jacks and Blackbeards of... Continue Reading →
If you look at a picture of Clara Luper, taken in the 1950s at the height of her popularity, you might find it hard to believe why she was such a force of nature. This sweet-faced, bespectacled, well-dressed African-American woman with a beaming smile couldn't possibly be the same woman who intimidated business owners, policemen,... Continue Reading →
For those of us that grew up in the Spy Kids era, becoming a super cool secret agent was the ultimate fantasy. Of course, as one who's afraid of confrontation, I gave up on that fantasy pretty quickly. But some women in history really did manage to become that super spy that all dreams are made of,... Continue Reading →
"Behind every great man is an even greater woman." I'm sure you've heard that phrase before. It may not always be true, but perhaps its updated, feminist sister quote is: "Behind every great man is not a woman. She is beside him. She is with him, not behind him." The point is, women deserve credit... Continue Reading →
America's history is, without a doubt, tainted. Chances were, if you weren't a white man on the wealthy side, you were susceptible to judgement, hatred, cruelty, and other goodies. And as much as America would like to burn its bridges with its awful past, the fact and the matter is that America was shaped –... Continue Reading →
Times have been tough for us women. Even today, we're fighting as hard as we always have for things that should have been ours a long time ago (our own bodies, for example). But, since this is a history blog, the activist movements of the present aren't really my focus – they are, however, my inspiration.... Continue Reading →
I'm sure you're familiar with at least one of these "around the world" stories. There was, of course, the novel, Around the World in Eighty Days, which inspired journalist Nellie Bly to imitate the trip in real life and beat the fictional record. Amelia Earhart attempted her own circumnavigation, but mysteriously disappeared before completing the journey.... Continue Reading →
As Halloween month comes to a close, I'll round out this series of spooky history accounts with something that's more haunting than any story of ghosts or aliens: mass murder. An actual human being doing a senseless, horrible, yet completely real thing. Don't fret – I may not be the most serious psuedo-historian, but I know... Continue Reading →
Herstory Untold 