Womanica
1,293 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★ - 707 ratingsThinking 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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Episodes
Women of Science Fiction: Angélica Gorodischer
January 31, 2024 08:00 - 4 minutes - 3.8 MBAngélica Gorodischer (1928-2022) was an Argentine writer whose short stories ranged in genre from science fiction to fantasy and crime. Her works had a strong feminist perspective. For Further Reading: 20 Questions with Angélica Gorodischer Award-Winning Author Angélica Gorodischer Has Passed Away Lingua Cosmica: Science Fiction from around the World (Angélica Gorodischer: Only A Storyteller) This month, we’re talking about Women of Science Fiction. These women inspire us to imagine imp...
Women of Science Fiction: Alice Bradley Sheldon
January 30, 2024 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.35 MBAlice Bradley Sheldon (1915-1987) was an American science fiction and fantasy author better known by her pen name, James Tiptree Jr.. Until 1977, the public didn’t even know that James Tiptree Jr. was a woman. After an adventurous childhood and a career in the CIA, she took the sci-fi world by storm with her dystopian and feminist stories. Though, she left a complicated legacy. For Further Reading: The Woman Behind James Tiptree, Jr. James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheld...
Women of Science Fiction: Shirley Walker
January 29, 2024 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.95 MBShirley Walker (1945-2006) was an American film and television composer and conductor. She is best known for her work on Batman: The Animated Series and other DC animated films under Warner Brothers. Her guidance and skill was instrumental in building out the field of film and TV composition. For Further Reading: The Musical Legacy of Shirley Walker Shirley Walker: An Appreciation Batman: the animated series owes half its charm to one unsung composer This month, we’re talking about Wome...
Women of Science Fiction: Begum Rokeya
January 26, 2024 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.63 MBBegum Rokeya (c. 1880-1932) 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 where women could reach their full potential — a world she brought to life in her revolutionary feminist utopian short story “Sultana’s Dream.” For Further Reading: Sultana's Dream Begum Rokeya: The Writer Who Introduced Us To Feminist Sci-Fi | #IndianWomenInHistory Sultana’s ...
Women of Science Fiction: Margaret Brundage
January 25, 2024 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.42 MBMargaret Brundage (1900-1976) was an illustrator and painter who drew covers for the sci-fi pulp magazine Weird Tales in the 1930s. Her work often depicted alluring women in fantastical situations, and inspired a lot of controversy among readers. For Further Reading: The Revenge of Margaret Brundage, 'The Queen of the Pulps' Weird Tales: Meet Margaret Brundage, The First Lady Of Pulp Pinup Art Margaret Brundage This month, we’re talking about Women of Science Fiction. These women insp...
Women of Science Fiction: Judith Merril
January 24, 2024 08:00 - 7 minutes - 6.6 MBJudith Merril (1923-1997) was a pioneering political activist, sci-fi writer and editor, whose dark and dystopian stories were told through the perspectives of characters who were mothers and housewives. For Further Reading: Better to Have Loved: The life of Judith Merril Galactic Suburbia: Recovering Women’s Science Fiction Atomic Attack (1954) This month, we’re talking about Women of Science Fiction. These women inspire us to imagine impossible worlds, alien creatures, and fantastic...
Women of Science Fiction: Thea Von Harbou
January 23, 2024 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.25 MBThea von Harbou (1888 - 1954) was a German screenwriter, novelist, director and actress. She worked as a screenwriter with husband and director Fritz Lang during the transition from silent to sound films. She is best known for her novel and screenplay Metropolis. For Further Reading: von Harbou, Thea (1888–1954) Thea von Harbou Kriemhild’s Revenge This month, we’re talking about Women of Science Fiction. These women inspire us to imagine impossible worlds, alien creatures, and fantasti...
Women of Science Fiction: Jane Wells Webb Loudon
January 22, 2024 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.42 MBJane Wells Webb Loudon (c.1800-1858) was an English author and early pioneer of science fiction. Her novel, The Mummy! is a classic of science fiction horror. She used her writing to reflect more deeply on politics and culture. She also created the first popular gardening manuals, making the art of gardening more accessible to young women. For Further Reading: The Corpse of the Future: Jane C. Loudon’s The Mummy! And Victorian Science Fiction Victorian Author Jane Webb Loudon’s Pivot from...
Women of Science Fiction: Pauline Hopkins
January 19, 2024 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.3 MBPauline Hopkins (1859-1930) was a pioneering writer who published articles and serialized novels across genres. She’s known as the author of the first science fiction novel by a woman of color – written decades before the term sci-fi was widely used. Today, you can see her ideas of an African Utopia in Marvel comics’ Wakanda. For Further Reading: Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins: Black Daughter of the Revolution The Pioneering Black Sci-Fi Writer Behind the Original Wakanda - Ms. Magazine Imag...
Women of Science Fiction: Carrie Fisher
January 18, 2024 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.07 MBCarrie Fisher (1956-2016) was an American actress and writer who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. She reprised the role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. She was also one of the most sought after script doctors in Hollywood, working on scripts for Sister Act, The Wedding Singer, and even films in the Star Wars franchise. For Further Reading: Carrie Fisher, Child of Hollywood and ‘Star Wars’ Royalty, Dies at 60 Carrie Fish...
Women of Science Fiction: Gertrude Barrows Bennett
January 17, 2024 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.13 MBGertrude Barrows Bennett (1883-1948) was a writer of dark fantasy whose work influenced A. Merritt and H.P. Lovecraft in her own lifetime. Writing under the pen name Francis Stevens, she introduced bizarre and dystopian tropes to the world of science fiction, which are still in use today. For Further Reading: Gertrude Barrows Bennett, Lady of Shadows Navigating the Weird Mind of Gertrude Barrows Bennett, Mother of Dark Fantasy The Nightmare Gertrude Barrows Bennett Science Fiction Colle...
Women of Science Fiction: Bebe Barron
January 16, 2024 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.94 MBBebe Barron (1925-2008) and her husband Louis’ pioneering work in electronic music helped lay the foundation for the sound of sci-fi. Their blips, buzzes, gurgles and groans in Forbidden Planet (1956) made up the first ever entirely electronic score for a feature film. For Further Reading: The Barrons: Forgotten Pioneers of Electronic Music : NPR Unearthing Louis and Bebe Barron’s Hidden Tapes | California Festival Bebe Barron, 82, Pioneer of Electronic Scores, Is Dead - The New York T...
Women of Science Fiction: Leigh Brackett
January 15, 2024 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.3 MBLeigh Brackett (1915-1978) was an American science fiction writer and screenwriter known for her space opera stories. She wrote the first draft of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, but died before the movie was finished. For Further Reading: Leigh Brackett's Planetary Romances Tangent Online Presents: An Interview with Leigh Brackett & Edmond Hamilton Leigh Brackett: A Terrific Writer Ahead of Her Time just as She Was Ahead of Her Colleagues This month, we’re talking about Women of S...
Women of Science Fiction: Trina Robbins
January 12, 2024 08:00 - 7 minutes - 6.59 MBTrina Robbins (1938-present) is an influential American cartoonist, writer, and feminist known for her contributions to the world of underground and alternative comics. In the 1980s, she became the first woman to draw Wonder Woman after DC Comics decided their superheroes needed a new look. She is also the founder of "Wimmen's Comix," a groundbreaking all-female comic anthology. For Further Reading: Pioneering Wonder Woman illustrator Trina Robbins fought for women in comic book industry ...
Women of Science Fiction: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
January 11, 2024 08:00 - 6 minutes - 6.28 MBCharlotte Perkins Gilman (1860 - 1935) was an American writer, author, and lecturer who wrote the famous short story “The Yellow Wall-Paper.” Though her stories drew from her own experiences as a woman to imagine feminist utopian futures, they envisioned progress through uniformity, promoting eugenics and racial purity. For Further Reading: The Yellow Wall-Paper and Other Writings Charlotte Perkins Gilman Did More Than Write One Famous Short Story The Trouble With Charlotte Perkins Gilma...
Women of Science Fiction: Verity Lambert
January 10, 2024 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.03 MBVerity Lambert (1935-2007) was a British television and film producer who helped establish the iconic BBC show Doctor Who. Throughout her long and successful career, Lambert worked on dozens of popular shows and films, cementing her legacy in the annals of British broadcasting history. For Further Reading: Mrs. Who - Verity Lambert produced Doctor Who, Rumpole of the Bailey and Minder – and revolutionized TV Beyond the Doctor: The Remarkable Verity Lambert Obituary: Verity Lambert This ...
Women of Science Fiction: C.L. Moore
January 09, 2024 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.52 MBC.L. Moore (1911-1987) was an American author in science fiction, mystery, and novelettes. Her work appeared in Weird Tales and several other fantasy anthologies, introducing complex female characters and tales of psychological strife into the genre. She also published many stories under joint pseudonyms with her first husband. For Further Reading: C.L. Moore Northwest Smith, By C.L. Moore Jirel of Joiry, by C.L. Moore This month, we’re talking about Women of Science Fiction. These wome...
Women of Science Fiction: Wendy Froud
January 08, 2024 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.52 MBWendy Froud (1954-present) is an artist revered for her sculptures of dolls and puppets. Wendy worked on many of Jim Henson’s projects throughout the 70s and 80s. Her puppets have been featured in fantasy and sci-fi films including Star Wars, Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal. For Further Reading: Wendy Froud, the woman behind the strange creatures of 1980s film How the "Mother of Yoda" conquered Hollywood — and why she disappeared A Conversation with Wendy Froud This month, we’re talk...
Women of Science Fiction: Clare Winger Harris
January 05, 2024 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.43 MBClare Winger Harris (1891-1968) was an early science fiction writer whose short stories were published during the 1920s in pulp magazines. She is credited as the first woman to publish stories under her own name in science fiction magazines. Further Reading: The Pioneering Clare Winger Harris Clare Winger Harris Breaking Amazing’s Cosmic Ceiling Meet the Reclusive Woman Who Became a Pioneer of Science Fiction A Runaway World This month, we’re talking about Women of Science Fiction. T...
Women of Science Fiction: D.C. Fontana
January 04, 2024 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.97 MBD.C. Fontana (1939-2019) was the first female writer to work on Star Trek: The Original Series. Her commitment to character-driven storytelling helped shape the beloved franchise in its early days — especially the iconic half-human, half-Vulcan character Spock. For Further Reading: D.C. Fontana, First Female ‘Star Trek’ Writer, Dies at 80 - The New York Times 7 Things You Should Know About D.C. Fontana | Star Trek Future Science Fiction Digest - Going Boldly – Interview with D.C. Fonta...
Women of Science Fiction: Madeleine L’Engle
January 03, 2024 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.6 MBMadeleine L’Engle (1918 - 2007) was an American writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and young adult fiction. Her novel A Wrinkle in Time, published in 1962, won the John Newbery Medal. Many of her books center on science fiction themes like time travel. For Further Reading: Madeleine L’Engle, Writer of Children’s Classics, Is Dead at 88 The Storyteller: Fact, fiction, and the books of Madeleine L’Engle. Late L’Engle: The Wrinkles of Time, Redeemed This month, we’re talking about Wom...
Women of Science Fiction: Nichelle Nichols
January 02, 2024 08:00 - 6 minutes - 6.38 MBNichelle Nichols (c. 1932-2022) is an American actress, singer, and dancer, best known for her iconic role as Lieutenant Uhura in the original Star Trek television series. Renowned for breaking racial barriers onscreen in the 1960s, Nichelle became a cultural symbol of diversity and inclusion. Beyond her contributions to the entertainment industry, Nichelle worked with NASA to recruit diverse astronauts, leaving an indelible mark on both science fiction and reality. For Further Reading: St...
Women of Science Fiction: Ursula K. Le Guin
January 01, 2024 08:00 - 7 minutes - 6.88 MBUrsula K. Le Guin (1929 - 2018) was an American author who wrote works of speculative fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. Her literary career spanned nearly 60 years and resulted in more than 20 novels, over 100 short stories, poetry, literary criticism, and childrens books. For Further Reading: The Fantastic Ursula K. Le Guin Ursula K. Le Guin, Acclaimed for Her Fantasy Fiction, Is Dead at 88 Ursula K. Le Guin, The Art of Fiction This month, we’re talking about Women of Science Fic...
Unreleased Bonus Episode: Fannie Farmer
December 31, 2023 08:00 - 5 minutes - 4.65 MBFannie Farmer (1857-1915) was an American culinary expert whose “Boston Cooking-School Cook Book” became a best-seller. Fannie helped home cooks, by providing scientific explanations of the chemical processes that occur in food during cooking, and by helping to standardize the system of measurements used in recipes. For Further Reading: Overlooked No More: Fannie Farmer, Modern Cookery’s Pioneer Was Fannie Farmer A Good Cook? Documents that Changed the World: The Fannie Farmer Cookbook,...
Unreleased Bonus Episode: Gertrude Bell
December 31, 2023 08:00 - 5 minutes - 4.93 MBGertrude Bell (1868-1926) was an English writer and archaeologist who spent much of her life exploring and mapping the Middle East. She became highly influential to British imperial policy-making due to her knowledge and the contacts she built up through extensive travels. For Further Reading: Miss Bell’s lines in the sand - The Guardian Gertrude Bell Gertrude Bell The Woman Who Made Iraq This bonus episode is brought to you by Nurtec ODT (Rimegepant) 75 milligrams. Orally Disintegrat...
Unreleased Bonus Episode: Isabelle Kelley
December 31, 2023 08:00 - 5 minutes - 4.93 MBIsabelle Kelley (1917-1997) was an American social worker. She was the principal author of the Food Stamp Act of 1964 and the first director of the Food Stamp Program — making her the first woman to run a national social program or lead any Division of a federal agency. For Further reading: Overlooked No More: Isabelle Kelley, Who Developed a Food Stamp Program to Feed Millions Isabelle M. Kelley Isabelle Kelley – The Economist Who Fed America This bonus episode is brought to you by ...
Comediennes: Ethel Hays
December 30, 2023 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.23 MBEthel Hays (1892-1989) was one of the most successful women cartoonists of the 1920s. Her cartoons were featured in newspapers across the country, and often featured cosmopolitan, independent flapper women navigating the modern world – with sass. For Further Reading: Hogan’s Alley: Ethel Hays, Pioneering Female Cartoonist The Flapper Queens: Women Cartoonists of the Jazz Age The Artist Who Made Flapper Famous This bonus episode is brought to you by Nurtec ODT (Rimegepant) 75 milligram...
Comediennes: Robin Tyler
December 29, 2023 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.07 MBRobin Tyler (1942-present) was the first queer comic to come out on U.S. national television. She was a radical whose dynamic partnership with female comic Patty Harrison changed the discourse around women and queer people. She was a pioneer in the grassroots struggle for LGBTQ+ civil rights and marriage equality in the U.S. and used her comedy to spark political change. For Further Reading: My Signed Comedy LPs: One Comedy Nerd’s Obsessive Journey: Robin Tyler The Trailblazing Women of S...
Comediennes: Gracie Allen
December 28, 2023 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.64 MBGracie Allien (c.1906-1964) was the ditzy housewife of the husband-wife comedy duo George Burns & Gracie Allen. Coming up from the vaudeville scene of the 1920s and 30s into radio, film, and television, Gracie brought charm and sincerity to the “dumb Dora” comedy role, dominating the scene for more than 30 years. For Further Reading: The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show Gracie: A Love Story Gracie Allen This month, we’re talking about comediennes — women throughout history who have ma...
Comediennes: Florence Mills
December 27, 2023 08:00 - 6 minutes - 6.35 MBFlorence Mills (1896–1927) was a groundbreaking African-American jazz singer and dancer during the Harlem Renaissance. She started out in Vaudeville, and ended up on Broadway. Along the way, she attracted white audiences and achieved international acclaim, while breaking racial barriers and challenging stereotypes. For Further Reading: The Forgotten Fame of Florence Mills Florence Mills: Broadway Sensation of the 1920s Florence Mills: Harlem Jazz Queen This month, we’re talking about c...
Comediennes: Elaine May
December 26, 2023 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.84 MBElaine May (1932-present) is a comedienne, actor, writer, and director who rose to fame as one half of a highly successful improv comedy team before bringing her theater training and unique humor to Hollywood. For Further Reading: Heaven Can Wait: The Hidden Genius of Elaine May Elaine May Elaine May: Laughing Matters This month, we’re talking about comediennes — women throughout history who have made us laugh. They transgressed societal norms through comedy and often spoke out agains...
Comediennes: Joan Rivers
December 25, 2023 08:00 - 6 minutes - 6.44 MBJoan Rivers (1933-2014) was a comedy legend with a career spanning over five decades. She broke new ground as a stand up during the 1960s, when successful women in the art form were extremely rare. Her career experienced many starts and stops, failures and triumphs — but she was always determined to make a living as a performer. For Further Reading: Joan Rivers, a Comic Stiletto Quick to Skewer, Is Dead at 81 - The New York Times How Joan Rivers Got That Way | The New Yorker Joan River...
Comediennes: Jane Foole
December 23, 2023 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.15 MBJane Foole, or Jane the Fool, (fl. 1535-1558) was a fool at the English Royal court during the Tudor era in the mid 16th century. As a woman court jester, she was extremely unique among professional jesters of the era, and greatly revered by Mary I of England. For Further Reading: Fools and Jesters at the English Court A Brief History: Jane the Fool Bloody Mary I's BRILLIANT Fool Jane Foole This bonus episode is brought to you by Nurtec ODT (Rimegepant) 75 milligrams. Orally Disintegrat...
Comediennes: Betty White
December 22, 2023 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.96 MBBetty White (1922-2021) led a television career that lasted more than seven decades. She began as a host on talk and variety shows, establishing a steady career as a TV personality before landing two sitcom roles that would make her one of the country’s most beloved celebrities. For Further Reading: Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead At 99 Betty White: First Lady Of Television Here We Go Again: My Life In Television This month, we’re talking about comediennes ...
Comediennes: Carol Channing
December 21, 2023 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.87 MBCarol Channing (1921-2019) was a Broadway leading lady known for her eccentric public persona, sharp comedic timing, and unique gravelly singing voice. Her starring roles in the musicals “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and “Hello, Dolly!” cemented her as a stage legend. For Further Reading: Carol Channing Dies at 97; a Larger-Than-Life Broadway Star - The New York Times Carol Channing - Turner Classic Movies Carol Channing: Larger than Life This month, we’re talking about comediennes — wo...
Comediennes: Fran Lebowitz
December 20, 2023 08:00 - 7 minutes - 7.14 MBFran Lebowitz (1950-present) is an American author, humorist, and public speaker. She rose to fame in the 1970s for her distinctive voice and unapologetic humor, often exploring topics such as politics, gender, and the urban experience. She has become a cultural icon for her sharp observations and sardonic style in her writing and speaking. For Further Reading: Fran Lebowitz is Never Leaving New York Fran Lebowitz on life without the internet: ‘If I’m cancelled, don’t tell me!’ Fran Lebo...
Comediennes: Kitty Clive
December 19, 2023 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.28 MBKitty Clive (1711-1785) was a well known English actress and singer at the famed Drury Lane Theater in London. Her career spanned many decades and took many forms over the years. She transformed from a dramatic lead to a comedic caricature of herself, evolving to win back public favor after several media squabbles. For Further Reading: Performer Catherine Clive of Drury Lane: British Theatrical Stage Actress in London, England “In Wit Superior, as in Fighting”: Kitty Clive and the Conques...
Comediennes: LaWanda Page
December 18, 2023 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.45 MBLaWanda Page (1920-2002) was an American actress, comedian, and dancer whose career spanned over 60 years. She was best known for her role as Aunt Esther in Sanford and Son – a pious, buttoned-up foil to the show’s main character, Fred Sanford. For Further Reading: LaWanda Page, 81, the Aunt On TV's 'Sanford and Son' LaWanda Page, comedic genius and evangelist LaWanda Page, 81, Of ‘Sanford * Son’ Fame Succumbs in Los Angeles This month, we’re talking about comediennes — women throughou...
Comediennes: Mabel Normand
December 16, 2023 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.34 MBMabel Normand (1882-1930) was an iconic actress and director of Hollywood’s silent film era. She popularized the pie in the face. She mentored Charlie Chaplin. . And she became one of the first women in history to have her name on a film production company. For Further Reading: Mabel Normand - Turner Classic Movies Eyes on the pies: how Mabel Normand, Chaplin’s mentor, changed cinema | Silent film | The Guardian Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Mabel Normand: why silent movies had m...
Comediennes: Lulu Adams
December 15, 2023 08:00 - 5 minutes - 4.8 MBLulu Adams (1900- c.1989) was an early female clown who appeared in some of the most renowned British circuses of her time. She formed a famous clown duo act with her husband, Albert, and toured the U.S. with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. For Further Reading: Performers of the Past; A Proud Legacy–Lulu Adams Adams, Lulu (Louise), c1900 - 1989 Send in the Clowness: The Problematic Origins of Female Circus Clowns Archive Piece: Lulu Adams - Female Clown and Circus Perfor...
Comediennes: Lydia Shum
December 14, 2023 08:00 - 3 minutes - 3.72 MBLydia Shum (c. 1945-2008) was a Hong Kong comedian whose recognizable image became a staple on TV screens across Asia. Known as “Fei Fei,” her skills in improv and comedy made her an indispensable figure in TV, movies, and as an advocate for Vancouver immigrant services group SUCCESS. For Further Reading: Hong Kong Heritage Museum: Our Beloved “Happy Fruit” Lydia Sum Beloved personality was 'an inspiration' to Vancouver community Living With Lydia This month, we’re talking about comedie...
Comediennes: Maria Elena Velasco
December 13, 2023 08:00 - 4 minutes - 4.07 MBMaria Elena Velasco (1940-2015) was a Mexican film and television actress who developed the popular character La India Marí, a slapstick comedy character based on a stereotypical Mexican indigenous woman. For Further Reading: La India María: Mexploitation and the Films of María Elena Velasco Indios y burros: Rethinking “la India María” as Ethnographic Cinema El miedo no anda en burro - película completa de la India María This month, we’re talking about comediennes — women throughout h...
Comediennes: Marietta Holley
December 12, 2023 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.48 MBMarietta Holley (1836-1926) was a popular American humorist. Over her 40-year literary career, she used comedic language to advocate for feminist causes like suffrage and temperance. For Further Reading: Marietta Holley: Life with “Josiah Allen’s Wife” Marietta Holley: The Humorist as Propagandist Twayne’s United States Authors Series: Marietta Holley This month, we’re talking about comediennes — women throughout history who have made us laugh. They transgressed societal norms through...
Comediennes: Minne Pearl
December 11, 2023 08:00 - 6 minutes - 6.43 MBSarah Ophelia Colley Cannon (1912-1996) was better known by her alter ego, Minnie Pearl — a radio, television, and stage personality known as the queen of country comedy. She performed for fifty years in her trademark thrift store dresses and straw hat as a member of The Grand Ole Opry. For Further Reading: MINNIE PEARL Minnie Pearl Is Dead at 83; Star of 'The Grand Ole Opry' Minnie Pearl: The Life and Legacy of the Queen of Country Comedy This month, we’re talking about comediennes — ...
Comediennes: Nini Marshall
December 09, 2023 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.01 MBNiní Marshall (1903-1996) had many talents but is most known as a writer, humorist, and actress from Argentina. She challenged the soundscape of Argentine radio and created satirical characters that went on to be featured in film and theater. For Further Reading: Niní Marshall, "la gran actriz cómica argentina" Niní Marshall, la reina inmortal del humor argentino: censura, exilio y legado Radio and the gendered soundscape : women and broadcasting in Argentina and Uruguay, 1930-1950 Hum...
Comediennes: Mitzi Shore
December 08, 2023 08:00 - 3 minutes - 3.43 MBMitzi Shore (1930-2018) is known for opening the Comedy Store, a famous workshop and performance space for up and coming comics. She was the ultimate curator of young talent, and a mentor for many comedians over the years. Mitzi offered talented performers a chance to make it big. Further Reading: Mitzi Shore: Still Minding the Store Mitzi Shore, Whose Comedy Store Fostered Rising Stars, Dies at 87 The Queen of Comedy This month, we’re talking about comediennes — women throughout histo...
Comediennes: Peg Lynch
December 07, 2023 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.05 MBPeg Lynch (1916-2015) was an American writer, actress and producer who wrote over 10,000 scripts for television and radio, and created and starred in one of the first sitcoms. For Further Reading: Peg Lynch, Writer and Star of Early Situation Comedy, Dies at 98 “There’s Nothing Like A Quiet, Pleasant Dinner At Home…” Peg Lynch Comedy of the Commonplace: The Sitcom Genius of Peg Lynch This month, we’re talking about comediennes — women throughout history who have made us laugh. They tra...
Comediennes: Phyllis Diller
December 06, 2023 08:00 - 6 minutes - 5.81 MBPhyllis Diller (1917-2012) was a pioneering female comic in the U.S. Her invented onstage persona – a hapless housewife with a dawdling husband named Fang – was iconic on late-night TV and in theaters across the country. Her abrasive humor left no stone unturned and paved the way for female comics to embrace a more unconventional style of comedy. For Further Reading: Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse Goodnight, We Love You: Life & Legend of Phyllis Diller Diller at Ninety-Two - The New Yo...
Comediennes: Shari Lewis
December 05, 2023 08:00 - 7 minutes - 6.64 MBShari Lewis (1933-1998) is best known for her cheeky sock puppet friend Lamb Chop. Shari, Lamb Chop and their other puppet castmates starred in several television series in America and England and won 12 Emmy Awards. Together, they taught kids to love music and learning and they charmed television audiences for decades. For Further Reading: Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop: The Team That Changed Children’s Television Shari Lewis | Jewish Women's Archive Shari Lewis, TV Puppeteer Loved by Chi...
Comediennes: Vesta Tilley
December 04, 2023 08:00 - 7 minutes - 6.64 MBVesta Tilley (1864-1952) was a famous male impersonator in music halls throughout England and the U.S. Her act was so popular that during World War I, she became an unofficial recruitment officer for young men who came to see her show. Dressed in male clothing, she danced her way into the hearts of all types of audiences. For Further Reading: The Vesta Tilley Collection: The Music Hall Actress From Worcester (1864-1952) University of Sheffield Archives: Vesta Tilley National Portrait Gal...