In early July 2019, Frank Turner announced his latest album would be called No Man's Land. It's a collection of thirteen songs inspired by women from history whose stories are inspiring, intriguing, and overlooked. Along with the album, Turner has recorded a podcast - called Tales from No Man's Land - to dig deeper into … Continue reading Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land – An Introduction
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
$15, a bag of clothes, and a fierce attitude. This is, according to a 1992 documentary by director Michael Kasino, what Marsha P. Johnson brought to New York, right after graduating high school and just before changing the course of history. Photo credit: USA/Netflix Johnson was born in August 1945 in Elizabeth, New Jersey under … Continue reading Marsha P. Johnson: The Power of a Queen – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
Note: This essay contains names and images of people who have died. Photo via QUT.edu.au Oodgeroo Noonuccal (1920 – 1993) was an Australian poet, Aboriginal rights activist, political activist, and educator whose birth name was Kathleen Jean Mary Ruska (Kath). She was a proud Noonuccal woman from Minjerribah (which is also known as North Stradbroke … Continue reading Oodgeroo Noonuccal (born Katherine Walker) – 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 peering into a perfectly replicated world – a miniature room, complete with working mousetraps and rocking chairs, bed linens and whiskey bottles. Picture quaint and perfectly appointed parlors with lace doilies and tea sets, deep marble tubs and sinks with plush towels in a pink floral bathroom, a kitchen with a blue enamel cooking … Continue reading Life in a Nutshell: The art and science of Frances Glessner Lee – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
Martha Gellhorn was arguably the greatest female war correspondent who ever lived. I first learned about her through the HBO biopic “Hemingway & Gellhorn,” [1] which was based on her short-lived affair-turned-eventual-marriage to every English department’s favorite male chauvinist pig. As soon as the movie ended, though, I caught myself desperately Googling for more information … Continue reading Martha Gellhorn – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
Born as Constance Gore-Booth in 1868, the woman who would become known as Countess and Madame Markievicz was the eldest child of Henry Gore-Booth, an Arctic explorer and AngloIrish landlord who actively provided food for his tenants in Co. Sligo during the famine of 1879-80 and was deeply concerned about their wellbeing. The family split … Continue reading Constance Markievicz – 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
Hannah Cranna, the wicked witch of Monroe, or more accurately, Hannah Hovey was born in 1783 in Connecticut. Very little is known of her early life. She was married to Captain Hovey, and lived in the Stepney area of Monroe, Connecticut. While some people claim that she had a difficult personality throughout her life, it … Continue reading Hannah Cranna, the Wicked Witch of Monroe – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land
History Is Important 