Carrie Crawford Smith (1877-1954) placed hundreds of fellow Black women in jobs in and around Chicago through her employment agency. In an era when Black women faced intense discrimination and negative stereotyping in the workforce, Carrie made it her mission to ensure her clients were treated with dignity and respect. 

For Further Reading: 


Recognizing historic Black-owned businesses in Evanston


Carrie Crawford Smith’s “Back Door Leadership”

This month we're talking about Go-Getters. Women who purposefully—or accidentally!—acquired life-changing wealth, good fortune, or influence.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

Follow Wonder Media Network:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Carrie Crawford Smith (1877-1954) placed hundreds of fellow Black women in jobs in and around Chicago through her employment agency. In an era when Black women faced intense discrimination and negative stereotyping in the workforce, Carrie made it her mission to ensure her clients were treated with dignity and respect. 
For Further Reading: 
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://evanstonroundtable.com/2024/02/28/historic-evanston-black-owned-businesses/#foot">Recognizing historic Black-owned businesses in Evanston</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://shorefrontjournal.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/carrie-crawford-smiths-back-door-leadership/?_ga=2.44703332.1923162258.1719952887-1604164742.1719952886">Carrie Crawford Smith’s “Back Door Leadership”</a> 
</li>
</ul>
This month we're talking about Go-Getters. Women who purposefully—or accidentally!—acquired life-changing wealth, good fortune, or influence.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
Follow Wonder Media Network:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-stringify-link="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Website</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-stringify-link="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Instagram</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-stringify-link="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Twitter</a></li>
</ul>

Thinking 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. 

Thinking 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.

Womanica

Thinking 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 who you may or may not know — but definitely should.

Thinking 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 who you may or may not know — but definitely should.

Carrie Crawford Smith (1877-1954) placed hundreds of fellow Black women in jobs in and around Chicago through her employment agency. In an era when Black women faced intense discrimination and negative stereotyping in the workforce, Carrie made it her mission to ensure her clients were treated with dignity and respect. 

Go-Getters: Carrie Crawford Smith

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e9ead676-71e5-4bee-8e51-b23a0029965b/transcript

Prudence Mabele (1971-2017) was a South African HIV/AIDS activist and a prominent advocate for women's rights. She became one of the first South African women to publicly declare her HIV-positive status in 1992, challenging stigma and discrimination. Throughout her life, she was dedicated to promoting access to healthcare, gender equality, and raising awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women.

For Further Reading:


Prudence Mabele


Prudence Mabele: The life of the South African HIV campaigner


Remembering AIDS activist Prudence Mabele


The Pied Piper of the broken-hearted: HIV activist Prudence Mabele

This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

Follow Wonder Media Network:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Prudence Mabele (1971-2017) was a South African HIV/AIDS activist and a prominent advocate for women's rights. She became one of the first South African women to publicly declare her HIV-positive status in 1992, challenging stigma and discrimination. Throughout her life, she was dedicated to promoting access to healthcare, gender equality, and raising awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women.
For Further Reading:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(17)32096-2.pdf">Prudence Mabele</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40653944">Prudence Mabele: The life of the South African HIV campaigner</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.wgbh.org/news/2017-07-14/remembering-aids-activist-prudence-mabele">Remembering AIDS activist Prudence Mabele</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://mg.co.za/article/2017-07-12-prudence-mabele-my-guide-to-the-new-south-africa/">The Pied Piper of the broken-hearted: HIV activist Prudence Mabele</a>
</li>
</ul>
This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
Follow Wonder Media Network:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-stringify-link="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Website</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-stringify-link="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Instagram</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-stringify-link="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Twitter</a></li>
</ul>

Prudence Mabele (1971-2017) was a South African HIV/AIDS activist and a prominent advocate for women's rights. She became one of the first South African women to publicly declare her HIV-positive status in 1992, challenging stigma and discrimination. Throughout her life, she was dedicated to promoting access to healthcare, gender equality, and raising awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women.

Women of Controversy: Prudence Mabele

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/44aba14f-9638-433f-a2b9-b2370026c9cf/transcript

Pearl Curran (1883-1937) was an author. She claimed to serve as the medium for “Patience Worth,” a spirit she first contacted via a ouija board. The phenomenon spawned great public interest and later backlash, as a range of psychologists, journalists, and general readers speculated about Patience and Pearl. As Pearl’s commercial success as an author dwindled, she supported herself with traveling ouija board demonstrations.

For Further Reading:


Patience Worth: Author From the Great Beyond


When Cincinnati Was Enchanted by the Ouija Board


Patience Worth and Pearl Curran

This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

Follow Wonder Media Network:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Pearl Curran (1883-1937) was an author. She claimed to serve as the medium for “Patience Worth,” a spirit she first contacted via a ouija board. The phenomenon spawned great public interest and later backlash, as a range of psychologists, journalists, and general readers speculated about Patience and Pearl. As Pearl’s commercial success as an author dwindled, she supported herself with traveling ouija board demonstrations.
For Further Reading:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/patience-worth-author-from-the-great-beyond-54333749/">Patience Worth: Author From the Great Beyond</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/when-cincinnati-was-enchanted-by-the-ouija-board/">When Cincinnati Was Enchanted by the Ouija Board</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEICU4AEJvU">Patience Worth and Pearl Curran</a>
</li>
</ul>
This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
Follow Wonder Media Network:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-stringify-link="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Website</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-stringify-link="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Instagram</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-stringify-link="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Twitter</a></li>
</ul>

Pearl Curran (1883-1937) was an author. She claimed to serve as the medium for “Patience Worth,” a spirit she first contacted via a ouija board. The phenomenon spawned great public interest and later backlash, as a range of psychologists, journalists, and general readers speculated about Patience and Pearl. As Pearl’s commercial success as an author dwindled, she supported herself with traveling ouija board demonstrations.

Women of Controversy: Pearl Curran

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5510b298-8e84-455e-ade5-b23600214475/transcript

Nina Mae McKinney (1912-1967) was a Black American actress who performed in Hollywood and internationally in the 1930s. She was dubbed “The Black Garbo” and was the first African-American performer to receive a five-year contract with MGM. Yet because of racism and miscegenation codes, she was unable to gain a mainstream status. Today, she’s known as the “The First Black Movie Star.”

For Further Reading


Nina Mae McKinney, Who Defied the Barriers of Race to Find Stardom - The New York Times


“The First Black Movie Star,” Nina Mae McKinney, Gets a Film Retrospective in New York


Google Books: Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films, Updated and Expanded 5th Edition

This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

Follow Wonder Media Network:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Nina Mae McKinney (1912-1967) was a Black American actress who performed in Hollywood and internationally in the 1930s. She was dubbed “The Black Garbo” and was the first African-American performer to receive a five-year contract with MGM. Yet because of racism and miscegenation codes, she was unable to gain a mainstream status. Today, she’s known as the “The First Black Movie Star.”
For Further Reading 
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/obituaries/nina-mae-mckinney-overlooked.html">Nina Mae McKinney, Who Defied the Barriers of Race to Find Stardom - The New York Times</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/nina-mae-mckinney-first-black-movie-star-film-retrospective-1235044563/">“The First Black Movie Star,” Nina Mae McKinney, Gets a Film Retrospective in New York</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Toms_Coons_Mulattoes_Mammies_and_Bucks/tNKicQAACAAJ?hl=en">Google Books: Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films, Updated and Expanded 5th Edition</a>
</li>
</ul>
This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
Follow Wonder Media Network:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-stringify-link="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Website</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-stringify-link="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Instagram</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-stringify-link="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Twitter</a></li>
</ul>

Nina Mae McKinney (1912-1967) was a Black American actress who performed in Hollywood and internationally in the 1930s. She was dubbed “The Black Garbo” and was the first African-American performer to receive a five-year contract with MGM. Yet because of racism and miscegenation codes, she was unable to gain a mainstream status. Today, she’s known as the “The First Black Movie Star.”

Women of Controversy: Nina Mae McKinney

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9154e5a0-24c1-432b-9dc1-b2350056416b/transcript

Go-Getters: Carrie Crawford Smith

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