Powerful Midlife Women in History: Learn their Stories with HERstory on the Rocks

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/jcf4b5/Herstory_on_the_Rocks_final_-_1_21_21_1209_PM75br9.mp3

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Throughout history, there have been so many inspirational women making an impact and changing the world with their voice. However, despite their incredible contributions to society, a lot of these women’s stories go unheard and unrecognized. Allie Bayne and Katie Greenwood, co-hosts of the podcast “HERstory on the Rocks”, use their platform to bring the stories of women both known and unknown to light in a humorous and educational way. In today’s episode, we spoke to both Allie and Bayne about their podcast and they shared with us some stories of powerful women. Firstly, we wanted to know how Allie and Katie knew each other, and they told us they’re actually in-laws. Allie started dating Katie’s brother in high school and ended up marrying him, making them officially family. For the podcast, the two were inspired by the popular “Drunk History” franchise and decided to create their own space to share stories of inspiring women. We asked how they go about choosing which women to talk about, and they told us that a lot of the women are suggested to them by others, and at the beginning of every season, they sit down and compile a diverse list of women to discuss on the podcast.

The first woman Allie and Katie spoke to us about was Hypatia, an Egyptian philosopher during 300 A.D. Hypatia was admired by her male students, and one in particular continuously proposed to her. Rather than accept, she confronted him by pulling out her menstrual rag and claiming that he didn’t actually lust after her. Hypatia remained a virgin her entire life and was murdered. They then told us about Wangari Maathai. Wangari was an environmental and political activist from Kenya who won the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 64. She started the Green Belt Movement and, after finishing her education in America, moved back to Kenya to teach older women in villages how to grow trees to help fight deforestation. Next, they talked about Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a scientist from Ireland whose college professor won the Nobel Peace Prize by stealing her outer space discoveries. Although Jocelyn did not end up winning the Nobel Peace Prize, she did win the most prestige prize for Physics and donated the money to help younger women do research. Another woman who did not win the Nobel Peace Prize was Lise Meitner, a German scientist who discovered nuclear fission. Male colleagues stole credit and won the Nobel Peace Prize for the discovery. Patsy Mink, born in Hawaii, made history as the first woman of color in Congress and wrote Title IX. She served for six terms before returning to Hawaii to join the Honolulu city council, only to be invited back to Congress to serve another six terms. Ann Daniels is a polar explorer who first went to the North Pole by answering an ad while nursing her triplets. She continues to lead expeditions now. Molly Brown was a survivor of the Titanic, and while on the rescue boat, she collected money from the rich to give to the poor and recorded everyone’s names and information.

We asked Allie and Katie who their favorite women were to discuss, and they named some iconic women such as Nelly Bly, a female reporter, Barbara Walters, and Josephine Baker. We then asked where listeners could reach them, and they told us that they could be contacted through social media, their email, and their podcast’s website. Finally, we asked how they come up with the cocktails for their podcast, and they told us that they make them up.

Allie Bayne and Katie Greenwood

About Allie, from her website:

Allie grew up watching Disney Princesses glide across her television and waded through adolescence while Monica Lewinsky was being publicly shamed, Princess Diana’s life was coming to a tragic end, and of course reading the famous series “Hermione Granger and the Countless Times she Saves Harry Potter”. She has been teaching middle school history courses since 2007, has her Master’s in Secondary Education, and her Doctorate in Instructional Technology. Allie is also an Adjunct Professor at Towson University and is working on a few projects for publication. She was born and raised in Baltimore City, Maryland and still lives there with her husband {Producer} and two daughters. She also co-hosts the podcast “HERstory on the Rocks” with Katie Greenwood.

About Katie, from her website:

Katie grew up fascinated with women who have struggled and the struggle of all women. She spent hours reading stories about the lives of the Romanov sisters and the sinking of the Titanic. Her fascination with true crime also started when she was young – reading volume ofter volume of Nancy Drew Mysteries. Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a minor in Gender Studies. During her time in college, she spent six months studying abroad in India. Since graduating Katie has become a small-business owner in Baltimore City and lives there today with ‘Fiancé”, Stella {puppy}, and Fran {kitty}. She also co-hosts the podcast “HERstory on the Rocks” with Allie Bayne.