Ella Hattan: The Queen of the Sword

In this episode of 'She Changed History,' Simon and Vicky delve into the life of Ellen Hatton, better known as the Jaguarina. Born in 1859 in Ohio, Ella Hatton broke gender barriers to become a celebrated 19th-century swordswoman and duelist. Trained by the progressive Colonel Thomas Monstery, she excelled in multiple forms of combat, eventually becoming an undefeated champion in fencing and other martial arts. The hosts explore her rigorous training, her spectacular career filled with numerous victories, and her influence as a performer and teacher. Ella's resilience, skill, and showmanship made her not only a sports legend but also an inspiring figure for future generations of female athletes.

Sources are:

https://martialartsnewyork.org/2015/03/31/colonel-thomas-monstery-and-the-training-of-jaguarina-americas-champion-swordswoman/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Hattan#cite_note-3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War#Outbreak_of_the_war

https://clairemead.com/2022/07/03/la-jaguarina/

https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/blog/womens-history-spotlight-jaguarina-and-colonel-monstery/

https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/princesses/la-jaguarina

00:00 Introduction and Launch Celebration

01:08 Listener-Recommended Topic: Ellen Hudson aka Jaguarina

02:54 Early Life of Ellen Hudson

03:23 Understanding the American Civil War

05:00 Ellen's Move to Cleveland and Theatre Involvement

06:43 Training Under Colonel Thomas Monstry

11:47 Colonel Monstry's Progressive Approach to Women's Fencing

19:57 Grueling Training Regimen

21:24 Confronting Sexism

22:47 Rising to Fame

23:59 Dueling Sensation

26:20 Media Savvy and Personal Life

34:24 Retirement and Legacy

36:12 Conclusion and Reflections

The Remarkable Bessie Blount: Unsung Inventor and Advocate

In this episode of 'She Changed History,' Simon and Vicky delve into the life of Bessie Blount, an extraordinary woman little known but with significant contributions. Bessie’s story, spanning from Virginia, USA, to Scotland Yard, is one of defiance, determination, and ingenuity. Born in 1914, Bessie overcame significant racial and educational barriers, teaching herself to read, write, and eventually becoming a nurse. During her work with World War II veterans, she invented life-changing devices for amputees, including a self-feeding device that gained international recognition. Despite the American government's rejection, her work was embraced by the French government and led to a series of further innovations in assistive technology. Bessie's later career saw her become a groundbreaking figure in forensic handwriting analysis, eventually working with Scotland Yard. Even after her professional career, Bessie continued to advocate for African American achievements and the disabled. Her inventions and transformational work, while not always glamorous, made a profound impact on countless lives.

00:00 Reunion and Birthday Celebrations

00:36 Introduction to Bessie Blount

02:33 Early Life and Education

05:57 Nursing Career and Challenges

07:37 Innovations for Disabled Veterans

12:46 Recognition and Continued Inventions

16:30 The Invention of the Kidney-Shaped Bowl

17:07 Exploring the Kidney Shape

17:51 Unsexy but Essential Inventions

18:53 From Nursing to Graphology

20:02 Becoming an Expert Witness

21:40 Consulting and Overcoming Barriers

26:02 Advocacy and Empowerment

27:57 Legacy and Final Years

29:49 Reflecting on Bessie's Impact

32:11 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

The Untold Heroism of Alice Milliat: Trailblazer for Women in Sports

Join Simon and Vicky in this riveting episode of Wonder Women, as they delve into the inspirational yet unsung story of Alice Josephine Marie Milliat. Born in 1884 in Nantes, France, Alice faced personal tragedies but found solace in sports, especially after moving to England. Despite resistance from the male-dominated sports world, spearheaded by the antagonistic Baron Pierre de Coubertin, Alice became a formidable force advocating for women's inclusion in the Olympic Games. Her relentless pursuit led to the establishment of the Women's Olympic Games, shaking the foundations of sexist barriers and paving the way for future generations of female athletes. Discover the groundbreaking efforts of Alice and her unwavering resolve that have impacted the world of sports, driving towards true equality. Tune in to learn about this incredible woman whose legacy still resonates today!

Sources:

• “Alice Milliat, Olympic Games pioneer, finally honored by Benoît Hopquin (Le Monde Fr) 2024
• Alice Milliat Foundation
• The Suffragettes of Sport – Alice Milliat and the rebel pioneers of 20th century women’s athletics by David Owen (Inside the Games) 2016
• The Suffragette of Sport: Alice Milliat by theinediblelifeofme (Stories of Her) 2020
• Summer Olympics 2024 Wikipedia

00:00 Introduction to Wonder Women

00:38 Vicky's Turn: A Story of Olympic Proportions

01:31 Meet Alice Josephine Marie Million

03:14 The Baron and the Birth of the Modern Olympics

06:09 Alice's Fight for Women's Inclusion in Sports

09:32 The Women's Olympic Games

17:30 Legacy and Ongoing Struggles

27:01 Conclusion and Future Stories