S3 E2. Breaking Boundaries: Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren't Supposed to Do with Tracy Dawson, author of Let Me Be Frank

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 -- Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffee Follow us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of all things WOMAN We need more women’s stories in the world!. If you’ve enjoyed this episode,  please share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩 www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

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Exploring our world through the female gaze, The Story of Woman podcast dives into everything from the economy and healthcare to politics, sexuality, climate justice, and beyond. Each episode dives deep into where we are today, how we got here, and what still needs to change to finally rewrite the story of mankind as the story of humankind. While earlier episodes focused on one-on-one interviews with diverse voices and perspectives, the podcast is now specializing in deep, immersive, narrative-driven investigations into the lived realities of women and marginalized genders. These stories bring listeners face-to-face with individuals who are confronting gender inequality head-on—championing transformative solutions in their communities and across the globe. To us, ‘woman’ means all those who presently identify as such - regardless of which body they were born with. This includes other marginalized genders such as those who identify as non-binary, gender fluid, or anywhere else on the spectrum of gender.