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The Homance Chronicles

Nicole Bonneville and Sarah Ando

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Welcome to “The Homance Chronicles” podcast, where we celebrate women’s history in the most captivating way – by sharing stories about incredible women we should all know but often don’t. Join us for our weekly series, “Hoes of History,” where Nicole and Sarah discover the untold stories of women who defied expectations, shattered barriers, and paved the way for future generations. BUT… if you start from episode 1, get ready for a surprise. This podcast isn’t just about historical heroines. ...
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Long before women had a seat at the table in medicine, Dr. Zaruhi Kavaljian carved out a space of her own. She was the first Armenian women to become a physician—an educator, trailblazer, and advocate for women’s health and empowerment. From earning her medical degree at a time when few women even attended university, to shaping the future of publi…
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Ava Gardner lived a dazzling yet complicated life. She was a timeless beauty, a fierce spirit, and one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable icons. From her humble beginnings in rural North Carolina to becoming an MGM starlet and international sensation, Ava's journey was anything but ordinary. We explore her rise to fame, the roles that defined her, a…
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We step into the shadowy corridors of 17th-century Paris to uncover the life and legacy of Catherine Monvoisin—better known as La Voisin. Fortune-teller, midwife, poisoner, and alleged sorceress, La Voisin rose from modest beginnings to become a central figure in the notorious Affair of the Poisons—a scandal that shook the court of King Louis XIV t…
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we dive into the chilling and mysterious history of Aqua Tofana—a deadly poison that quietly haunted 17th-century Italy. Said to be undetectable, tasteless, and odorless, this lethal concoction was reportedly created by Giulia Tofana and distributed to women desperate to escape abusive marriages in a time when divorce was not an option. We explore …
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Sally Ride catapulted from telescope‑toting kid in Encino to NASA trailblazer, winning collegiate tennis titles, earning dual Stanford degrees, and acing a Stanford Ph.D. before joining the first astronaut class to admit women. On June 18, 1983 she rode Challenger into orbit, silencing skeptics, mastering the shuttle’s robotic arm, and becoming Ame…
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Deborah Sampson defied 18th-century gender norms by disguising herself as a man to fight in the American Revolutionary War. Born into poverty and bound by the limitations of her time, Deborah's courage and resilience propelled her into a life of espionage, injury, and honor on the battlefield. We explore her motivations, the double life she led as …
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Malala Yousafzai is an activist and when she was a young girl from Pakistan’s Swat Valley she stood up to the Taliban and became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate. From her early advocacy for girls’ education under the shadow of terrorism, to surviving a near-fatal attack at just 15 years old, Malala’s courage has ignited a global moveme…
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Anna Der-Vartanian was a true trailblazer in the U.S. Navy and beyond. From her early days of service during World War II to making history as the first woman to achieve the rank of E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer in 1959. Anna shattered glass ceilings in a male-dominated field, but her dedication to serving her country didn’t stop there—after retir…
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Naomi Feil was the pioneer behind Validation Therapy for dementia care. Born in 1932, Naomi dedicated her career to improving communication with older adults experiencing dementia, challenging traditional caregiving approaches with empathy and understanding. Raised in a nursing home where her father was an administrator, she witnessed firsthand the…
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Mary Ellen Pleasant was an entrepreneur, abolitionist, and one of the most powerful women of the 19th century. From her early years navigating the Underground Railroad to amassing a fortune in San Francisco, Mary Ellen used her wealth and influence to fight for civil rights, challenge racial injustice, and shape the future for Black Americans. But …
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Clarice Cliff was a pioneering British ceramicist who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the Art Deco movement. Born into a working-class family in 1899, Clarice’s artistic talent and relentless ambition propelled her from a factory apprentice to an internationally celebrated designer. We explore her groundbreaking “Bizarre” ware, th…
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Marie Van Brittan Brown was the visionary inventor behind the first home security system. A Black woman living in Queens, New York, during the 1960s, Marie was determined to protect her home and community in an era when emergency response times were unreliable. Alongside her husband, she developed a groundbreaking closed-circuit television system t…
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Rosa Parks' quiet act of defiance on a Montgomery bus ignited the Civil Rights Movement. But there’s more to her story than that historic moment in 1955. We explore her early life, the years of activism that led up to her famous stand, and the challenges she faced long after the boycott. From her work with the NAACP to her fight for justice in Detr…
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Madam C.J. Walker was the first self-made female millionaire in America. Born to formerly enslaved parents, Walker transformed her life through determination, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit that changed the beauty industry forever. From her early struggles with hair loss to creating a groundbreaking line of haircare products for Black wo…
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Octavia E. Butler was a groundbreaking science fiction writer who defied genre conventions and societal expectations to become one of the most influential voices in speculative fiction. From her early struggles with dyslexia to her journey as a self-taught writer crafting Afrofuturist masterpieces, Octavia's work explored themes of power, race, gen…
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In this episode, we dive into the controversial and haunting story of Shirley Mason, better known as Sybil, the woman whose case brought dissociative identity disorder (DID) into the public spotlight. Her life became the basis for the bestselling book Sybil and its famous film adaptations, but how much of her story was real? We explore Shirley’s ch…
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As teenagers in Nazi-occupied Netherlands, sisters, Freddie and Truus Oversteegen, along with thier friend, Hannie Schaft, joined the Dutch resistance and risked everything to fight for freedom. With courage and cunning, they carried out sabotage missions, helped Jewish families escape, and even assassinated Nazi targets—all while maintaining their…
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Dr. Alexa Canady shattered barriers by becoming the first African American female neurosurgeon in the United States. From her early years in Lansing, Michigan, (that's right - she's a hometown hoe), to her groundbreaking residency at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Canady’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering passio…
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Florine Mark revolutionized the weight-loss industry and inspired countless individuals to live healthier, happier lives. As the former owner and president of Weight Watchers Group, Florine built a business empire rooted in empowerment and community. Florine went from humble beginnings in Detroit to becoming a global health and wellness leader. She…
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Brenda Lee, the pint-sized powerhouse, has a voice that defined generations. From her humble beginnings in Georgia to becoming a global icon, Brenda’s journey is one of resilience, talent, and timeless music. Known for her smash hits like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "I'm Sorry," Brenda broke barriers in both country and pop music, earni…
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Rita Moreno is an absolute living legend who is celebrating her 93rd birthday and about eight decades in Hollywood. She came to New York with her mom from Puerto Rico when she was five years old. She got started in dance classes at age nine and started her career in the entertainment industry quickly thereafter. She's been in so many classic movies…
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Alice H. Parker was an African American inventor whose ingenuity forever changed how we keep our homes warm. Born in 1895, Parker defied societal norms of her time to secure a college education and patent her innovative central heating system design in 1919. Her visionary use of natural gas to distribute heat efficiently was a revolutionary concept…
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Gertrude "Trudy" Ederlethe made history by becoming the first female swimmer to cross the English Channel in 1926. Nicknamed "Queen of the Waves," Trudy didn’t just break records; she smashed stereotypes about what women could achieve in sports at a time when they were told to sit on the sidelines. We’ll chat about her early days in New York, her O…
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Elizabeth "Dolly" Shepherd was a pioneering parachutist and daredevil in the early 20th century. From her humble beginnings as a teenager with dreams bigger than the Edwardian era allowed, to her breathtaking feats of bravery in the skies, Dolly's story is one of fearless ambition and resilience. But her courage wasn’t confined to the clouds. Durin…
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Rosalind Franklin was a brilliant yet underappreciated scientist whose work was instrumental in one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century - the discovery of the DNA double helix. Often overshadowed in the history books, Rosalind’s meticulous research in X-ray crystallography paved the way for the understanding of DNA’s struct…
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Step into the shadowy world of Maila Nurmi, better known as Vampira, the iconic horror hostess who took 1950s Hollywood by storm. In this episode, we unravel the life and legacy of the woman behind the character, from her Finnish immigrant roots to her meteoric rise as one of TV’s first gothic stars. Discover how Maila’s dark, witty persona captiva…
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Cassandra Peterson, better known as Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, came from humble beginnings in small-town Kansas to the reigning queen of Halloween. Cassandra's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and daring to be different. We explore her early aspirations of stardom, her unexpected path to Hollywood, and the bold creation of Elvira—a campy…
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CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussion of violence, death, and abuse of children. This is the haunting story of Enriqueta Martí, a figure whose crimes shook early 20th century Barcelona to its core. Known as "The Vampire of Barcelona," Martí lived a life shrouded in mystery and terror, preying on the most vulnerable in society. We’ll exp…
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Rachel Carson is the trailblazing marine biologist and author whose groundbreaking work forever changed the way we understand our environment. Best known for her 1962 book Silent Spring, Carson exposed the dangers of pesticides like DDT, catalyzing the modern environmental movement and leading to lasting changes in U.S. law and policy. But her stor…
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Country music legend, Tanya Tucker, is an icon who still rocks the stage. From her breakout hit "Delta Dawn" at just 13 years old, to her enduring influence on country music, Tanya has paved the way for a generation of artists with her fearless authenticity. We’ll explore her rise to stardom in the 1970s, the ups and downs of her personal life in t…
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C.Z. Guest was an American socialite, author, and fashion icon whose effortless style and grace defined an era. From her early beginnings in Boston to her rise as a muse to legendary fashion designers, C.Z. Guest’s life was a blend of high society, horticulture, and timeless elegance. We'll dive into her friendships with the likes of Truman Capote …
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We dive into the remarkable stories of the first three women to receive patents in the United States, breaking new ground in their fields. We start with Hannah Wilkinson Slater, who in 1793 became the first woman to receive a U.S. patent for her revolutionary improvement in cotton-spinning technology. Next, we explore the work of Mary Dixon Kies, w…
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Hypatia was one of the most extraordinary figures of the ancient world. Born in Alexandria around 355 AD, Hypatia was a pioneering mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who defied the constraints of her time to become a symbol of intellectual excellence and resilience. She is a key person credited with the preservation of classic textbooks tha…
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Who is Betty Crocker? A culinary icon, a trusted advisor, a brand name synonymous with home-cooked comfort—yet, Betty Crocker isn't a real person. In this episode, we unravel the fascinating story behind America's favorite fictional homemaker, born out of necessity and transformed into a cultural phenomenon. We dive into the 1920s, a time when Amer…
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Frida Kahlo was one of the most iconic and influential artists of the 20th century. From her tumultuous childhood in Mexico to her groundbreaking work that challenged conventions and captured the human spirit, Frida's story is one of resilience, passion, and unapologetic self-expression. We dig into the events that shaped her — including her near-f…
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Janet Guthrie broke barriers in the male-dominated world of racing, becoming the first woman to qualify for both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500 in the 1970s. Her journey from aerospace engineer to a professional race car driver is a testament to her tenacity, skill, and fearless spirit. Join us as we explore Janet's early life, the challe…
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We explore the life and impact of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a pioneering force in the fight for gender equality and a revered Supreme Court Justice. From her early days as a top law student facing gender discrimination to her groundbreaking work in landmark cases, Ruth's journey is one of resilience and determination. We'll discuss her most influential …
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Hélène de Pourtalès was a woman of many firsts who made history as the first female Olympic champion. An American who was born into European aristocracy, Hélène’s life was one of privilege, yet she defied expectations by stepping into the world of competitive sailing—a male-dominated arena in the late 19th century. We'll explore her remarkable jour…
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Florence Griffith Joyner, affectionately known as "Flo Jo," is widely regarded as the fastest woman of all time. Flo Jo dazzled the world not only with her record-breaking speed on the track but also with her bold, trendsetting fashion. We'll explore her humble beginnings in Los Angeles, her rise to Olympic glory, and the indomitable spirit that pr…
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Gloria Struck was a true pioneer in the world of motorcycling. Born in 1925, Gloria’s passion for motorcycles began at a time when women were rarely seen on two wheels. Over the decades, she defied societal norms, becoming an iconic figure in the motorcycling community. Join us as we explore Gloria’s incredible journey, from her first ride at the a…
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Mary Surratt is a woman whose name is forever entwined with one of America's most infamous events—the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. As the first woman executed by the U.S. government, Mary Surratt's story is one of intrigue, loyalty, and a controversial trial that continues to spark debate more than a century later. We start by explor…
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Sarmiza Bilcescu's determination to pursue higher education, and her groundbreaking achievement as the first woman in Europe to earn a law degree from the prestigious University of Paris. We'll discuss the societal challenges she faced and overcame, her significant contributions to the legal field, and her advocacy for women's rights and education.…
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Gayle Benson has left an indelible mark on the world of sports, business, and philanthropy. From her early beginnings to becoming the owner of the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans, Gayle's journey is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering dedication. She had a thriving design business when she met Tom Benson, previous owner of the…
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Saint Olga of Kiev, a woman whose journey from vengeance to sainthood is nothing short of legendary. Born into a time of turmoil and power struggles in the 10th century, Olga's story begins with a brutal act of revenge for the murder of her husband, Igor of Kiev. Her calculated and ruthless retribution against the Drevlians, the tribe responsible f…
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Wilma Mankiller was the first woman to be elected as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. We explore Wilma's early life and the challenges she faced growing up in a rural, economically disadvantaged area. Her family's relocation to San Francisco as part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' relocation program profoundly impacted her understanding of …
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Born Josephine Esther Mentzer in 1908, Estée's journey from a modest upbringing in Queens, New York, to founding one of the world's most iconic beauty empires is nothing short of inspirational. Join us as we explore Estée's early influences, including her uncle, a chemist who sparked her interest in skincare. We'll discuss her tenacity in promoting…
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Mary Anderson, the pioneering woman behind one of the most essential inventions in automotive history: the windshield wiper. Journey with us back to the early 1900s, a time when driving was a perilous endeavor, especially in inclement weather. Learn how Mary Anderson, an astute real estate developer from Birmingham, Alabama, transformed her frustra…
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Helena Rubinstein was a trailblazing beauty magnate who transformed the cosmetics industry. Born in Kraków, Poland, in 1872, Helena's journey from a small European town to becoming a global beauty icon is nothing short of remarkable. We explore her early years and the bold move to Australia that marked the beginning of her empire. Discover how Hele…
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Marjorie Merriweather Post was one of America's most prominent heiresses and philanthropists. Born into immense wealth as the daughter of cereal magnate C.W. Post, Marjorie's life was anything but ordinary. From her early days in Battle Creek, Michigan, to becoming the wealthiest woman in the United States, Marjorie's journey is a testament to resi…
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Born Florence Nightingale Graham in 1881, she transformed herself into the iconic figure known as Elizabeth Arden. From humble beginnings in rural Canada to building a global beauty empire, Arden's journey is one of resilience, innovation, and empowerment. Join us as we explore Arden's groundbreaking contributions to the beauty world, from introduc…
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