Women's History Month 2022

Episode 1: Christine de Pizon - Dr Koon with Megan Hewitt and Zoe Troy

This episode of ‘Hidden Figures of History’ with Dr Koon covers the medieval figure Christine de Pizon. Christine was a french political writer who was contemporarily well-respected, and continues to be influential in the modern day feminist movement. Known as one of the first feminist writers, her story is one of: success, opportunity and new ideas.

Episode 2: Women in philosophy - Ms Dawson and Mr Wade with Zoe Troy

In discussion with Mr Wade and Miss Dawson - focusing on women in philosophy like Mary Midgley, and answering some of the questions you may have been pondering…

Episode 3: Medieval Queens - Miss Cragg with Zoe Troy and Megan Hewitt

This episode looks at two of Miss Cragg's favourite medieval queens: Elizabeth Woodville and Eleanor of Acquitane. Both women subverted the expectations placed upon medieval queens and faced devastating repercussions as a result.

Further reading suggestions:
Medieval Women: A Social History of Women in England 450-1500 - Henrietta Leyser
The King's Mother: Margaret Beaufort - Michael Jones & Malcolm Underwood
The Last Medieval Queens: English Queenship, 1445–1503 - Joanna Laynesmith

Episode 4: Economist Joan Robinson - Mr Davies with Renee Shao

This episode looks at the life of Joan Robinson and potential difficulties faced by female economists in general. Robinson graduated and taught at Cambridge, and later contributed to Keynesian Economics.

Further reading by women economists:
The Entrepreneur State - Mariana Mazzucato
Value of everything - Mariana Mazzucato
GDP - Diane Coyle
Doughnut Economics - Kate Raworth

Episode 5: The South African Women's March - Mr Blampied with Renee Shao

This episode explores the events and leading figures of the South African Women’s March in Pretoria. We also discussed the long-lasting impacts - sometimes standing up for your ideals and what is right is often far more important than the outcome; the strength in terms of protest does not always come in the form of physical resistance.

Further reading suggestions:
491 days - Winnie Mandela
If this be Treason - Helen Joseph
Born a Crime - Trevor Noah

Episode 6: Mary Magdalene - Mr Blair with Donatella Petrucci

Mr Blair discusses the misconceptions surrounding the life and impact of Mary Magdalene. With a focus on why Mary Magdalene's contribution was devalued in comparison to that of the male apostles, Dona and Mr Blair go on to surmise about the representation of women more broadly.