Kickass Women of History

The Angel Makers of Nagyrév - possibly the most extraordinary murder ring of the 20th Century.Amy is joined by journalist Patti McCraken to dive into this complex and morally-grey tale of death in an isolated and impoverished Hungarian village. Who was Aunie Suzy? What power did she have over the residents of Nagyrév? Was she a hero or the head of a conspiracy to murder possibly hundreds of men?Amy and Patti explore the roles of gender, poverty, and race in these deaths and ask the question, is murder ever justified?However, things aren't that

Did you know that all modern gynaecology practice is based on the experiments of one doctor, J. Marion Sims, in the 1840s? His patients... enslaved women who could not consent. This week, Amy is joined by Katja Holtz from the Vagina Museum to try and unpack these women's stories. Who were they? How much do we know about these women who were denied a voice, both in their medical care and in the historical record? Image is of "The Mothers of Gynaecology" by Michelle Browder, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Hope Bourne, the self-sufficient artist and writer, lived "off-grid" on Exmoor, long before the phrase was even coined.This week Amy is joined by journalist and writer Sara Hudston to explore Bourne's fiercely independent life. Together, they delve into Bourne’s profound connection to the land, her strikingly candid diaries, and her unconventional choices that defied the expectations of her time. They also discuss the new exhibition of Bourne's work at the Somerset Museum of Rural Life, which Hudston has helped to curate.This episode brings Bourne’s world vividly to life, revealing a woman who carved her own path through rugged landscapes and rural solitude, leaving behind a legacy as wild and uncompromising as the moors she called home.

In this episode, Amy explores the life and legacy of Kathleen Carpenter, a pioneering ecologist often hailed as one of the founding figures of freshwater biology. Joined by special guests Dr Catherine Duigan and Dr Daniel Mills from Aberystwyth University, Amy learns about Carpenter’s ground-breaking research across the UK and USA, her passion for river ecosystems, and the barriers she faced as a woman in early 20th-century science.

Sydney Owenson's best known novel, "The Wild Irish Girl". kicked off a merchandising revolution in the 1800s. Dr Devoney Looser from Arizona State University, tells Amy about Owenson's childhood as the daughter of a comic actor, her rise to literary fame, her married life as Lady Morgan, and her legacy as a proto-feminist.Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, and Jane Austen all wrote about about Owenson, so why has so been been largely forgotten by modern readers?

Step right up for an unforgettable ride into the high-flying, death-defying world of Tiny Kline. This week, Amy is joined by guest historian Jennifer Cronk from Circus World in Wisconsin to uncover the incredible story of this fearless trailblazer. From her childhood in Hungary to becoming one of the most electrifying women in showbiz, learn how Tiny's "Iron Jaw" stunts had the world on the edge of their seats!

"Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl..."Wherever Eliza Gilbert went, scandal followed. Best known under her stage name of "Lola Montez", she danced for miners in Australia, bull-whipped a journalist in the street, and once poured soup over a dinner guest of Franz Liszt. This week, Amy is joined by Irish historian Sharon Slater, to explore the life of a woman who brought the Bavarian government to it's knees.

In this episode, Amy delves into the glittering world of Gilded Age portraiture with a spotlight on the remarkable miniaturist Amalia Kussner. Joining us is historian Kathleen Langone, whose new biography The Miniature Painter Revealed uncovers long-lost details of Kussner’s life and work—drawing from not only meticulous research, but also a personal family connection to the artist herself. Together, we explore how Kussner captured the faces of royalty, socialites, and industrial titans in watercolour masterpieces no bigger than a playing card.

Did you know that in 1793, the must-have fashion accessory for ladies in London was a pregnancy bump?Dr Isabel Davis of the Natural History Museum joins Amy to look as this unusual trend and explore why women wanted to appear pregnant, how they styled their bumps, and what all this meant regarding women's bodily autonomy.

Thousands of books have been written about the rich and elite of the Roman Empire, but what about everyone else? Dr Karen Eva Carr, Associate Professor (Emerita) in the Department of History at Portland State University, joins Amy to discuss the life of Tapontos, an enslaved woman living in Roman Egypt.What would life have been like for Tapontos? Why are the contributions of working women to the economy continuously overlooked? What happens if your enslaver wants fresh bread at 3am?

Rahel Szalit was a talented illustrator and artist whose work has been almost entirely lost. Being a Jewish woman living in Europe in the first half of the Twentieth Century meant that she faced significant adversity. However, today's guest, Dr Kerry Wallach from Gettysburg College, is fighting to make sure that she isn't forgotten.Like Agent Zo, she was born in Poland when it was part of the Russian Empire, and like Rose Valland, she was living in Paris when the Nazi's invaded, but Rahel Szalit's story is her own.

Twenty years after America abolished slavery, Lucy was born black and trans in Jim Crow-era Kentucky. She grew up to be a chef and a socialite, hosting the best parties in Oxnard, California. Alongside her successful catering business, she owned speakeasies and brothels. She may not always have been on the right side of the law, but she was definitely a kickass woman.Learn about her rise to the top of society, her trials, and heartbreak as host Amy Cotterill is joined by drag historian Elizabeth the Thirsty.

Forget Bond. Forget Bourne. Today's episode focuses on real-life spy, Rose Valland. Amy is joined by Michelle Young, author of "The Art Spy" to discuss how Rose used her position at the Jeu de Paume Museum in Paris to keep tabs on Nazi art thieves, and her post-war quest to bring stolen paintings back to France.

This week, Amy is joined by journalist Michele C Hollow to discuss the life of 19th Century fossil hunter, Mary Anning. Learn about the dangers of the Lyme Regis cliffs, her beloved dog Trey, and what happened when lightening struck.

This week we're celebrating the legacy of the Chainmakers of Cradley Heath, who put down their tools in protest at the exploitative practices of the UK manufacturers. Amy is joined by Jenny and Gigi Ermoyenous, and Lucy Atherton from the Friends of the Women Chainmakers to explore what led to the strike, who the key figures were, and why this small town in the Black Country became the focus of a national campaign.More information about the Women Chainmakers, and the upcoming festival, is available on www.kickasswomenofhistory.com

The British town of Bedford may seem like an unlikely spot for the Garden of Eden, but members of the Panacea Society really believed it was. This week, Amy is joined by Zara Matthews, Director of the Panacea Museum, to discuss the life of Mabel Barltrop aka Octavia. How did an Anglican vicar's widow go on to found a matriarchal religious sect based on the prophecies of Joanna Southcott? What was the truth of her "cure for all ills"? And what did she tell her followers if they ate their toast too loudly?

Evil seductress taking advantage of the king, or a young widow in an impossible situation? Guest Gemma Hollman talks with Amy about Alice Perrers, mistress of Edward III. Often depicted by historians as manipulative and cruel, is there any actual evidence of this? Or has she been misrepresented for centuries?

For the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, Amy is joined by historian Clare Mulley to discuss Elżbieta Zawacka, better known as Agent Zo, who served as a spy and resistance fighter for Poland during WW2. They discuss Elżbieta's childhood in an area which was then part of the Prussian Empire, Poland's brief freedom, and how she risked her life throughout the German occupation... and beyond!"Agent Zo" by Clare Mulley has been shortlisted for theWomen's Prize for Nonfiction 2025.

Caroline Norton, born into the famous Sheridan theatrical family, was a respected poet and society hostess. Falsely accused of having an affair with British Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, Caroline's marriage crumbled. This week, Dr Katherine Hobbs talks us through Caroline's fight for access to her children, her earnings, and her freedom.

Natalia Kobrynska was a 19th Century writer and feminist, who advocated for women's access to education and literature as a path to equality. To discuss her life, Amy is joined by Dasha Nepochatova, founder of Creative Women Publishing - a feminist publishing house which is continuing to publish in Ukraine through the current invasion. Dasha is currently studying for her doctorate at the University of Oxford, focusing on Kobrynska and the anthology she created, "The First Wreath".

This week, Amy is joined by Els Flour from the Archive and Research Centre for Women's History (AVG Carhif) in Brussels to discuss the work of the 1970s women's collective, La Maison des Femmes. What challenges did they face in supporting the women of Belgium? And how did they overcome them?More information about the Research Centre can be found here: https://avg-carhif.be/en/accueil-english/

This week's episode is full of blood, bones and brains. Amy and Emma talk with Cat Irving, Human Remains Conservator for Surgeons' Hall in Edinburgh, about the life of 18th Century anatomist and artist, Anna Morandi Manzolini.

In 1968, archaeologists in Finland excavated an unusual grave. The individual had been buried approximately 1000 years ago, with a selection of jewellery, a sickle, and two swords. Who were they?Amy chats with Owen Hurcum from the University of York about gender identity in the past and the evolving field of trans-archaeology.

Forget Xena. Dr Ashley E Remer, Founder and "Head Girl" of the Girl Museum joins Amy and Emma to share the stories of two very different girls who led armies and changed the world:Lady Trieu, from 3rd Century VietnamCaterina Sforza from 15th Century ItalyThey lived very different lives, but with many parallels. Tune in and learn more.

This week, Amy and Emma learn about Avodotya Panaeva, a 19th Century Russian writer and editor who challenged established ideas of women's roles in the home and workplace. Learn about her extraordinary life and why her works haven't received the international acclaim of her male contemporaries. With Dr Margarita Vaysman, of the University of Oxford, and Fiona Bell, PhD student at Yale University.Please be aware that this episode briefly mentions miscarriage. This is discussed in a historical context and without details.

We dive into the life of Medieval anchoress, Isabel German.In the 1400s, Isabel chose to leave the world behind and was bricked up into a small cell in a York Church, with only a small window for light, air, and the passing of food and waste. Why did she do it? What would her life have been like? Laura Yeoman from the Borthwick Institute at the University of York takes Amy and Emma on a journey through archival records to find out... including a never-before-shared discovery that shakes up our knowledge of Medieval York!

This week, Amy and Emma learn about Angolan poet and freedom-fighter, Deolinda Rodrigues from Dame Rosie Stevenson-Goodknight, co-founder of Wikipedia's Women in Red project. They also launch a brand new initiative in celebration of Women's History Month 2025.

FOR IMAGES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE, PLEASE VISIT www.kickasswomenofhistory.comThis week, Amy and Emma are joined by Kay Jones, Lead Curator of Urban and community History at the Museum of Liverpool, to discuss the incredible life of April Ashley.From the merchant navy, to Paris nightclubs and modelling for Vogue, we explore the ups and downs of April's life. One of the first Brits to undergo gender-affirming surgery, April never had it easy but she persevered and became an inspiration for trans and non-binary people around the world.

Amy and Emma are joined by Sarah Griffin of the University of York (UK) to discuss the lives of Alice Broad and Grace White, two generations of women who were pioneers in the print trade in post-Reformation York.

Dr Imaobong Umoren from the London School of Economics and Politics joins Amy and Emma to celebrate mark 50 years since the UN announced their Decade for Women.What impact did it have on women's opportunities around the globe?How did it lead to the birth of Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN), a transnational feminist network of scholars, researchers and activists from the global South?

Sámi National Day is 6th February, so we are celebrating with the story of activist, and first published Sámi writer, Elsa Laula Renberg. Joining Amy and Emma is Lia Frostkrans of the Women's History Museum in Umeå, Sweden.

Dr Mette Kia Krabbe Meyer of the Royal Danish Library joins Amy and Emma to talk about the life of pioneering Danish photographer, Julie Laurberg. Discussion includes Julie's experiments with colour images, her active support of other women, and the importance of her business and life partner, Franziska Gad.

Things can't go right all the time. Hear dogs, disasters, and dates cause problems for Amy Cotterill, Emma Cook, and Dr Eleanor Janega in these outtakes from Kickass Women of History episode 3.

Dr Eleanor Janega joins Amy and Emma to talk about the turbulent life of Isabella of France. This Queen of England's tale includes adultery, treason, and lots and lots of jewellery. Hear about how she conquered a nation, deposed a king, and remained absolutely fabulous.

Amy and Emma are joined by Roxy Moon of the ArQuives in Toronto, Canada to discuss the life of LGBTQ+ campaigner, journalist and icon, Chris Bearchell. Hosted by Amy Cotterill and Emma Cook.

For their debut episode, Amy and Emma are joined by Dr Eleanor Jackson, curator of the British Library's "Medieval Women" exhibition, and Professor Anthony Bale of the University of Cambridge. Together they discuss the life of 15th century mystic and how a game of ping-pong changed our understanding of life in the middle ages. Hosted by Amy Cotterill and Emma Cook.

Ahead of Episode 1 going live next week, hosts Amy Cotterill and Emma Cook sit down to chat about the podcast, why they're making it, and what is coming up.

Here's a sneak-peak of our brand new podcast, Kickass Women of History