In this episode of HerStance, we pull back the curtain on the true architect of the New Deal: Frances Perkins, the woman who wasn't just the first female Cabinet Secretary but the driving force behind the most significant social reforms in American history.

We explore her journey from a strict, conservative upbringing to a radical social reformer, tracing the moment her conscience was awakened—specifically, by the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire—which cemented her lifelong commitment to labor reform.

As Franklin D. Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor, Perkins fought tirelessly for the structural safety nets that define modern America, including Social Security, the minimum wage, and the 40-hour work week.

Discover the strategic genius of the woman who navigated a hostile, male-dominated cabinet, famously filing away her observations in a folder labeled "Notes on the Male Mind." We delve into the intense backlash she faced, including an impeachment attempt, and how she used her position to "establish the right of others... to sit in the high seats."

Perkins believed that "The people are what matter to government," and this episode honors the quiet, tenacious revolutionist whose legacy is woven into the very fabric of American fairness and economic security.

The Nobel Prize honors monumental achievement, a recognition that inspires us to uphold the ideals of knowledge, compassion, and courage. But for countless women, that recognition has been slow to arrive, even as their work fundamentally shaped our understanding of the world.

This episode dives deep into the lives and work of women who have fundamentally shaped our world and our understanding of it. These are the scientists who made monumental discoveries for the sheer fun of doing physics, the writers who gave vital life to essential human complexities, and the peace advocates who never quit.

Today, we're diving into the dramatic, controversial, and deeply moving story of María Eva Duarte de Perón—better known simply as Evita. Her ascent from rural poverty to become the most powerful woman in Argentine history is one of Latin America's most compelling tales. She forever changed her nation's political landscape, but was she a proto-feminist icon or an iron fist cloaked in glamour? Stay until the end for two HerStance challenges to put Eva Peron's inspiration into action.

Sanger’s revolutionary work fundamentally changed the world for millions, giving women bodily autonomy. But her legacy is undeniably complicated. In her pursuit of a revolutionary public health concept, she embraced and supported the American eugenics movement, aligning herself with the deeply flawed rhetoric of her era.

We are here not to apologize for the messiness of history, but to unpack it—examining a true revolutionary not as a saint or a demon, but as a person whose actions brought both profound progress and at times, harm.

In this episode, you can expect us to discuss sensitive and hard-hitting topics:

Reproductive rights and the historical weaponization of law.

The shame surrounding unwanted pregnancy and lack of access to care.

The thorny, unsettling history of the American eugenics movement.

How Sanger's radical empathy drove her to fight the establishment.

The modern-day stakes of information sharing and empathy in public discourse, especially as facts become harder to access and divisive arguments grow louder.

This is a history lesson with real-world, modern stakes. If you need to hit pause, please do, but we encourage you to stay for a discussion that is more relevant now than it has been in decades.

Welcome to Conversations with a Catalyst, a new series on the show! In these special episodes, we'll shift the format a bit to highlight incredible contemporary women who are not only reflecting on the legacies of our foremothers but also building a more equitable future for the generations to come.

For our very first Conversations with a Catalyst episode, we're joined by Dotty Delafield, a retired librarian and fierce community activist. Carrying on the work of the strong women who came before her, Dotty has long been a role model for young people, showing them how to find their voice, walk a life of faith, and stand up for the greater good.

Inspired by her parents and even her own daughter, Dotty rebooted her career after reading the book I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was. Now, she is a daily activist in Central Pennsylvania, sharing resources with subscribers on her website and through her email newsletter, "What We Can Do Now for Central Pennsylvania."

Join us as we dive into Dotty's incredible story and hear her insights on activism, legacy, and creating a better world.

From an aspiring playwright to the first woman to host her own variety show, Carol Burnett has been a trailblazer, a comedic genius, and a feminist icon. At 91 years old, she's still breaking ground as the oldest woman to be nominated for a comedy acting Emmy in 2024. A seven-time Emmy winner already, Burnett has been entertaining audiences since the 1960s with her blend of physical comedy, musical talent, and a signature tug of the ear.

In this episode we'll explore how she redefined what it meant to be a woman in comedy and how her philosophy of lifting others up and having fun is not only a testament to her enduring optimism but can inspire us to take action today.

When you think of Billie Jean King, the mind often goes straight to 1973. The "Battle of the Sexes." The media spectacle. The iconic image of her holding a racket, a triumphant grin on her face, having just defeated Bobby Riggs, the self-proclaimed chauvinist pig. But to understand the true impact of that moment, you have to look at what she was fighting for, long before she stepped onto that court.

In this episode of HerStance, we go beyond the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" to explore the full, powerful legacy of Billie Jean King. Her story isn't just about 39 Grand Slam titles; it's about the seismic shifts she created for women everywhere. We delve into her relentless fight for equal prize money, which paved the way for the opportunities female athletes have today. We examine how her activism, from pushing for Title IX to founding the Women's Tennis Association, extended far beyond the court and into the halls of power. Billie Jean King was a fierce competitor and a brilliant athlete, but above all, she was a feminist warrior who understood that her personal struggle was political. Join us as we explore how she didn't just win a match—she hit back at a world that tried to put women in their place, clearing a path for all of us to stand a little taller, with our heads held high.

Some names are forever cemented in history for their infamy. But what about the brilliant women whose names should be celebrated, yet have been deliberately silenced? On this episode of HerStance, we confront a phenomenon with a name: The Matilda Effect. We'll uncover who Matilda was and explore the shocking practice of erasing women's contributions—not just an oversight, but a deliberate act to diminish their accomplishments or credit them to men. We also dive into the remarkable story of Margaret Rossiter, the historian who coined the term and dedicated her career to unearthing the forgotten contributions of women in science and technology. We'll also learn about Pat Stewart, the Cornell Trustee who made Rossiter’s groundbreaking research possible. Prepare to be disbelieving, outraged, and ultimately, inspired to help rewrite history.