Ordinary Women: Daring to Defy History

2016

Documentary

Ordinary Women: Daring to Defy History explores the lives and accomplishments of fascinating women who defied gender stereotypes but often found themselves pushed to the sidelines or erased from history books that weren’t ready to acknowledge them. This series is made possible by generous donations to our Seed & Spark crowdfunding campaign for the project.

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Production

Feminist Frequency

Language

Status

Ended

First Aired

September 12, 2016

Last Aired

December 8, 2016

Created By

Anita Sarkeesian

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

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Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

The Revolutionary Life of Emma Goldman

Air date: 2016-09-12

Once dubbed one of the most dangerous people in America by J. Edgar Hoover, activist and speaker Emma Goldman defied history with her revolutionary support for labor rights, women’s rights and “everyone’s right to beautiful radiant things.”

The Groundbreaking Life of Murasaki Shikibu

Air date: 2016-10-12

In 10th century Japan, literary prodigy Murasaki Shikibu wrote the first modern novel at a time when women’s names were rarely even written down.

The Fearless Life of Ching Shih

Air date: 2016-11-03

One of the most famous and feared pirates who ever lived was Ching Shih, a young Cantonese woman who became the ruler of one of the largest pirate fleets in history, and the mastermind behind a floating criminal empire so powerful that even the Chinese military couldn’t stop it.

The Courageous Life of Ida B. Wells

Air date: 2016-11-22

Few stories are as dramatic as that of of Ida B. Wells, a woman who was born a slave in Mississippi in the midst of the Civil War, and became a daring investigative reporter and civil rights crusader who would one day be called the “loudest and most persistent voice for truth” in an era of injustice.

The Brilliant Life of Ada Lovelace

Air date: 2016-12-08

A mathematical genius and pioneer of computer science, Ada Lovelace was not only the created the very first computer program in the mid-1800s but also foresaw the digital future more than a hundred years to come.