Episode 20: A Deliberate Act: The Phenomenon of Female Erasure
Some names are forever cemented in history for their infamy. But what about the brilliant women whose names should be celebrated, yet have been deliberately silenced? On this episode of HerStance, we confront a phenomenon with a name: The Matilda Effect. We'll uncover who Matilda was and explore the shocking practice of erasing women's contributions—not just an oversight, but a deliberate act to diminish their accomplishments or credit them to men. We also dive into the remarkable story of Margaret Rossiter, the historian who coined the term and dedicated her career to unearthing the forgotten contributions of women in science and technology. We'll also learn about Pat Stewart, the Cornell Trustee who made Rossiter’s groundbreaking research possible. Prepare to be disbelieving, outraged, and ultimately, inspired to help rewrite history.
Anita Sarkeesian and Laura Hudson. "We Must Rewrite Women’s Role in History." Time, March 8, 2016.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Underground-Railroad
MLA- Angelucci, Ashley. “Matilda Joslyn Gage.” National Women’s History Museum. 2021. Date Accessed.
Chicago- Angelucci, Ashley. 2021. “Matilda Joslyn Gage.” National Women’s History Museum. www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/matilda-joslyn-gage.
Image Credit: Matilda Joslyn Gage photo posted by the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She was inducted in 1995 as “a significant position in history as a radical feminist thinker and historian whose writings shaped her times.” https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/matilda-joslyn-gage/
