Ever wonder about the women who defied conventions by wearing the pants—quite literally?
In this episode, comedy writer and actress Tracy Dawson highlight trailblazers throughout history who disguised themselves as men to gain access and opportunities denied them simply because they were women.
The conversation delves into various stories from Tracy’s book, Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men To Do Shit They Weren't Supposed To Do, highlighting women like Rena "Rusty" Kanokogi, the mother of women's judo, and Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor.
Tracey emphasizes the transformative impact these women had on history, breaking barriers in sports, literature, and medicine. The discussion extends to the broader implications of gender roles and the ongoing challenges women face, and what can we learn from these women’s audacious journeys.
Some topics we cover include:
- Tracy’s shocking encounter in the entertainment industry that fueled her passion for this topic
- Restrictions of gender, the struggle for equal rights, and the importance of women forging their paths
- Various women featured in the book, such Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, to Ellen Craft, who passed as a white plantation owner to escape slavery
- How the themes of survival, defiance against patriarchy, and the fight for freedom of movement resonate across different cultures and historical periods
- The transformative impact of these women's actions on history
- The relevance of these issues in today's world
Transcription is available here
Buy Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men To Do Shit They Weren't Supposed To Do
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