Explore the stories of powerful women who shaped history- or herstory. This innovative class takes a feminist perspective and explores the remarkable lives and achievements of powerful women throughout the centuries. Their true stories will be brought to light through their accomplishments, which were often forgotten, erased, overshadowed, or accredited to men. 

From Cleopatra's political acumen to the military strategies of Queen Nzinga, and the cultural contributions of Empress Wu Zetian, students will engage in an intersectional ELA and historical/social studies approach to understand these women's significant, and not always positive, impacts. This course will analyze primary texts, historical documents, and modern interpretations to provide a comprehensive view of these rulers' legacies. We will also try to differentiate between legend and truth, knowing the story is typically somewhere in between. 

Discussion and thought-provoking questions will encourage students to critically examine how gender and power intersect in historical narratives. By reclaiming these stories, students will not only gain a deeper appreciation for these extraordinary (sometimes demented) women, but also understand the importance of recognizing and correcting historical biases. 

The class is 50 minutes, but may run over about 5 minutes at times, depending on engagement and discussion. No one is required to stay past the official end time, but I also do not want to limit discussion. 


Schedule: 

Week of July 14: Hatshepsut (1507-1458 BC)
Egypt's second recorded queen regent, she is considered one of Egypt's greatest pharaohs due to her economic and cultural contributions. She invested in trade, and monuments were erected in her honor before her stepson came to rule and tried to erase her from history.  

Week of July 21: Nefertiti (1370-1330 BC)
Nefertiti changed Egypt into a monotheistic society - worshipping the sun god Aten.  She ruled with her husband, instead of under him or as an advisor. Together, the three of them (with Aten), acted a sort of holy-trinity governing unit. 

Week of July 28: Cleopatra (70-30 BC)*
While Queen of Egypt, she formed strong bonds with with Roman rulers/politicians, heavily influencing Roman politics. In her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, with their fatal flaws, she became known as a femme fatale, perhaps the first representation of the trope in written historical record. 

Week of August 4: Agrippina the Younger (15-59 AD)
The sister of Emperor Caligula, wife of Claudius, and mother of Nero, Agrippina had influence during the reigns of three Roman emperors.

Week of August 11: Boudica (30-61 AD)*
A warrior queen of the Iceni, she led a nearly successful uprising against Rome after he daughters were harmed. She is a widely recognized symbol of justice. 

Week of August 18: Zenobia (240-? AD)
Zenobia was a fierce and competent woman who almost defeated the Roman Empire during her reign. She conquered Egypt and nearly brought down the Roman Empire, while building an empire nearly equal to that of Rome. 

Week of August 25: Queen Seondeok of Silla (610-647)
She was the first female ruler of ancient Korea. She dominated much of the Korean peninsula, and built a conservatory and temple. When she died without any heirs, a female cousin was was then made queen. 

Week of September 1: Maya Queens (500-700 AD)
Lady Six Sky (Wak Chanil Ahau) of Naranjo, Lady of Tikal, and Lady K'abel 

Week of September 8: The role of women in Aztec Society (1345-1521)
The Aztec had very strict gender roles, and women were often the cause of conflict and disorder. Despite this, and attempts to erase female rulers from the historical record, some codices list female rulers of towns.  We'll include some Aztec mythology in this week's lesson.   

Week of September 5: Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
Born a French peasant, she led an army against the British during the Hundred Years' War. She was later captured by enemy forces, convicted of witchcraft, and burned at the stake at the age of 19. She is one of the most recognized martyrs in history, and is now the patron saint of France. 

Week of September 22: The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1509-1547) 
Technically there were legally three wives, because three marriages were annulled. Perhaps you've heard the rhyme over their fate: "Divorced, beheaded, died; Divorced, beheaded, survived."

Week of September 29: Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) 
Daughter of King Henry VIII, she was declared illegitimate due to an annulment, but rose to the throne anyways. She never married, instead pledging her life to England. 


Upcoming:
Week of October 6: Elizabeth Bathory (1560 - 1614)* 

Week of October 13: Giulia Tofana (1620-1651 )*

Week of October 20: Queen Nzinga (1624-1663) 

Week of October 27: Salem Witch Trials (1692-3)

Week of November 3: Agojiés/Dahomey Amazons/Minos (1645~1900)

Week of November 10: Catherine the Great (1729-1796)

Week of November 17: Marie Antionette (1755-1793)

Week of November 24: Harriet Tubman (1822-1913)

Week of December 1: Queen Lili'uokalani (1838-1917)

Week of December 8: Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908)
Former Empress dowager of the Qing dynasty 

Week of December 15: Queen Yaa Asantewaa I (1840-1921)

Week of December 22: Lizzie Borden (1860-1927)*


Week of December 29: Belle Gunness (1859-?)*


----------------------2025-----------------------------------

Week of January 5: Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna (Romanov) of Russia (1901-1918)

Week of January 12: Marie Curie (1867-1934) 

Week of January 19: "The Giggling Granny" Nannie Doss (1905 - 1965)*
Watch a short remastered jailhouse interview!

Week of January 26: Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

Week of February 2: Sylvia Plath (1932-1963)

Week of February 9: Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013)

Week of February 16: Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) 

Week of February 23: Barbara Streisand (1942-)

Week of March 2: Aileen Wuornos (1956 - 2002)

Week of March 9: The Spice Girls (1990s)

Week of March 16: Gypsy Rose Blanchard (1991-present)

Week of March 23: Empress Wu Zetian (624-705)

Week of March 30: Theodora (500-548)

Week of April 6: Indira Gandhi (1917 – 1984)

Week of April 13: Elizabeth II (1926-2022)

Week of April 20: Maria Theresa of Austria (1717-1780)

Week of April 2: Queen Victoria (1819-1901)

Week of May 4: Calamity Jane (1852-1903) & Annie Oakley (1860-1926)

Week of May 11: Christine Jorgensen (1926-1989)
She came out in the 50s!

Week of May 18: Taylor Swift (1988-)

Week of May 25: Bonnie Parker & Ma Barrow (1920s)*

Week of June 1: Candy Darling (1944-1974)

Future topics TBD based on learner requests.