In June and July 2016, I had the immense joy to visit London and stay with my dear friends Melinda and Ben. Mel surprised me one day by taking me to Whitechapel to see the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry on June 29, 2016 - four years ago today! Me and Mel outside the Whitechapel Bell … Continue reading Visiting the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 2016
Those who know me know that I am mad for a bit of Revolutionary War history. It is something I've blogged about before, a lot. So when New-York Historical Society (one of my favorite museums) announced their 'Revolutionary Summer' programming, lord, did I know where I had to be. Even better was that they had … Continue reading George Washington’s Replica Tent at New-York Historical Society
Growing up, I was very interested in the American Revolution and the fight for independence. I was obsessed with the musical 1776, and even had a copy of the Declaration of Independence hanging up on my bedroom door. But on the surface, this is a history full of important men doing important things. I would … Continue reading Margaret Corbin (aka Captain Molly) – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
Faced with adversity beyond what many of us could even imagine, Phyllis Wheatley showed the triumph of the human spirit, the desire to find goodness and hope in all circumstances. For this reason, I find her story inspiring and well worth writing about (though I cannot pretend to do justice to her account). Phyllis Wheatley … Continue reading Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1784) – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
Imagine running in a marathon. 26.2 miles or about 42.2 kilometers. Hard enough, right? Even with adequate preparation, there are still many things that can go awry on the best of days. Imagine that the weather was sleeting, freezing rain. Continue to imagine that this race was the world-famous Boston Marathon, and your very first … Continue reading Kathrine Switzer – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
One of the pioneers of the American civil rights movement was just fifteen when she made history, and you’ve likely never heard of her. Nine months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white passenger, Claudette Colvin took a similarly defiant action on another Montgomery bus. Colvin, however, … Continue reading Claudette Colvin – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
Arabella “Belle” Babb Mansfield (May 23, 1849-August 1, 1911) – is best known for being the first woman in the United States to pass the bar examination and the nation’s first female attorney. At the time she sat for the bar, Iowa law required applicants for bar admission to be white, male, and over the … Continue reading Arabella Babb Mansfield – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
The year was 1947 and television was in it’s infancy. Cleveland, Ohio was the home of the first TV station between New York and (Chicago). She saw informing others as her calling; be it as a teacher, lecturer, or newsperson. She was given 13 weeks on TV – tops; she remained for 37 years. She … Continue reading Dorothy Fuldheim – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
Born June 17, 1865, Susan La Flesche Picotte ignored what was expected of a Victorian Native American woman, to become the first female Native American doctor. Historyreaders.com tell us Susan was the daughter of bi-racial parents, who each had white fathers and Native mothers. Her father, Joseph La Flesche, also called Iron Eye, was chief … Continue reading Susan La Fiesche – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
I listened to the first few podcasts in anticipation of the release of Frank Turner’s No Man’s Land album not quite knowing what to expect. I was intrigued by Turner’s focus on stories of women he believed needed telling. After hearing the story of Sister Rosetta, a woman who I had never heard of, I … Continue reading Mary Turner – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
History Is Important 