October 7, 2014 in Modern Worthies Anita Sarkeesian Feminist game theorist This is a talk I was lucky enough to see live about a month ago. It’s delivered by Anita Sarkeesian, a feminist game theorist whose academic analysis of cultural shifts in the video gaming industry has led to harassment and death threats beyond imagining. This talk was her first public appearance after she fled her... Read more »
October 7, 2014 in Modern Worthies Lydia Cacho Incredibly brave Mexican journalist “Lydia Cacho is one of Mexico’s most fearless journalists. Her investigations have led to attempts on her life, and now she has been forced to flee her country. What next?” Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho: ‘I don’t scare easily’ Trigger warnings for threats of rape, intimidation, torture, and the like. Brave, brave woman. (thanks to Medea... Read more »
September 28, 2014 in Modern Worthies Teresa Forcades The Outspoken Spanish Nun Who’s Made Herself A Political Force Sister Forcades is Spain’s most famous living nun. She’s a medical doctor with a master’s degree from Harvard. She’s a feminist who’s been reprimanded by the Vatican for supporting abortion rights. She’s a Benedictine nun in a country where the Catholic Church has historically sided... Read more »
Hypatia (350~370? - 415) The Martyr Mathematician The first female mathematician in recorded history, and one of the luminaries of the ancient world - but her grisly death at the hands of a mob was only the start of her troubles.
August 28, 2014 in Modern Worthies Judit Polgar The queen who challenged the kings The greatest female chess player in history has retired. Godspeed, Mrs Polgar.
August 14, 2014 in Modern Worthies Hamida Gulistani Got Your Back | This American Life This episode of This American Life covers Hamida Gulistani, an amazing woman who advocates for womens’ rights in Afghanistan, despite persistent death threats. Her story is incredible – definitely worth a listen.
Noor Inayat Khan (1914-1944) The Spy Princess Pacifist Indian princess who gave up everything of herself to hold the line in occupied Paris during World War 2.
Ida B. Wells (1862-1931) Princess of the Press One of the first anti-lynching advocates, she risked her life for decades to report on the truth when nobody would believe her.
Vera Peters (1911-1993) Mother of the Modern Mastectomy When she was told to "go do women's work" after upstaging the medical community in her treatment of Hodgkin's disease, Dr. Vera Peters revolutionized breast cancer treatment through years of painstaking, meticulous work.
Susan la Flesche Picotte (1865-1915) The Mom Who Built a Hospital The first Native American medical doctor endured back-breaking labor, years spent alone, and institutional racism to better the lives of her people.