Women Who Went Before
Rebekah Haigh & Emily Chesley
Women Who Went Before is on a gynocentric quest into the ancient world. Join hosts Rebekah Haigh and Emily Chesley as they interview the world’s top scholars and unearth the lives of women from the past. It’s a history podcast and detective journey in one, sifting through texts and tropes to find the women who lived beneath.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 30, 2022 • 58min
Invisible Women and How they Make History
Dr. Sarit Kattan Gribetz, an associate professor of theology at Fordham University with expertise in ancient Judaism and gender, uncovers the overlooked contributions of women throughout history. She discusses how language and biases have obscured women’s roles in biblical texts and historical narratives. Delving into female scribes and specific figures like Rav Hisda's daughter, she highlights the systemic erasure of women’s stories and the importance of inclusive storytelling in reshaping our understanding of the past.
Aug 16, 2022 • 21min
Missing, Presumed…Absent? Where Were All the Ancient Women?
Explore the intriguing absence of women from ancient history textbooks and why their stories matter. Discover the powerful narrative of Perpetua, a North African woman whose prison diary offers a rare glimpse into the experiences of women in antiquity. The hosts analyze patriarchal narratives that have shaped historical perceptions, diving into the complexities of gender from ancient times to modern implications. This journey aims to reclaim the voices of ordinary women and highlight their significant yet overlooked roles in shaping history.
