From inauspicious beginnings to fame and fortune, Coco Chanel, one of the world’s most revered women of fashion, found empowerment in her own way. While she lived most of her time on earth in the public eye, accounts of some facets of her history have been up for debate, as she, the master of her … Continue reading Seven Mysteries of Coco Chanel (Part One)
More Interesting Facts About Harriet Tubman! (Read part 1 here.) She never lost a passenger on the Underground Railroad. Having reached safety in Philadelphia, Harriet felt confident she could help others. She became involved in the Underground Railroad. She immediately returned to Maryland to rescue her family. Working slowly, one group at a time, she … Continue reading Interesting Facts About Harriet Tubman (Part 2)
Historians cannot agree on her birthdate. Harriet Tubman’s birthdate seems to be a mystery, even (as records show) to her. Birth records of slaves were not often kept. The earliest date noted for Harriet’s birth, which appears on her death certificate, is 1815. A midwifery statement, and later a “slave runaway” advertisement states it as … Continue reading Interesting Facts About Harriet Tubman (Part 1)
(Continued from 5/6/2018 Read Part 1 here.) She became the “Angel of the Crimea” 1853 marked the beginning of the Crimean War. Allied with Turkey, the British and French joined the effort to prohibit the expansion of Russia. The sick and wounded troops were sent to Scutari, a city near Constantinople (Istanbul.) London Times correspondent William … Continue reading Facts About Florence Nightingale – Empowered Woman of Medicine (Part 2)
She was Named for the city of her birth Born to William Edward and Frances Nightingale in 1920, Florence, and her older sister were both named after the cities of their birth. While on an extended honeymoon that lasted a few years, the couple gave birth to Frances Parthenope while they toured Parthenope, Italy, a … Continue reading Facts About Florence Nightingale – Empowered Woman of Medicine (Part 1)
(Continued from 4/22/18, find Part One here.) Mustafa, the eldest of all the Suleiman’s sons, was next in line to rule. According to Ottoman Imperial custom, when a Sultan came into power, he had his brothers killed, to ensure the stability of the empire. Some believed that Roxelena, with the help of the grand vizier … Continue reading Roxelena and Her Rise to Power – Witchcraft or Love? (Part 2)
It is not common in history for a slave to become an empowered ruler, much less a female slave. But, that is what happened with Roxelena, who became one of the most powerful and influential women in Ottoman history. What is common is when a person does rise to power in any empire or kingdom, … Continue reading Roxelena and Her Rise to Power – Witchcraft or Love? (Part One)
(Continued from 4/8/18 – Find Part One here.) Bly remained at Blackwell’s Island for ten days. What she saw, she could never forget. Doctors seemed oblivious to their patients’ illnesses. Orderlies and nurses abused their charges. They served their patients spoiled food. There was no access to warm clothing or clean linens. In short, the place … Continue reading Nellie Bly – Mad, Committed or Both? (Part Two)
In fact, Nellie Bly was not mad. She was, however, “committed”–in more ways than one. Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran in 1864, Nellie, as she was known after she became a journalist, always had a deep sense of morality and a desire to help those who could not help themselves. Perhaps this stemmed from her own … Continue reading Nellie Bly – Mad, Committed, or Both? (Part One)
(Continued. For Part One, click here.) Catherine of Aragon and Henry had one child, Mary Tudor, who had now reached teenager-hood. While her mother was cast out of Henry’s court, Mary, also stripped of her title of princess and declared a bastard, had been allowed to remain. Until the birth of her baby sister, Elizabeth. … Continue reading Anne Boleyn – Did She or Didn’t She? (Part Two)