Gals Guide

Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Barb's Canadian Gal Pick

Barb tells the tale of the first female publisher in Canada, Mary Ann Shadd Cary. Mary was born and died in the United States but her time in Canada was marked by her creation of the newspaper Provincial Freeman, a weekly paper starting in 1853 that circulated around southern Ontario that advocated equality, integration, and self-education for Black people.

Viola Desmond - Katie's Canadian Gal Pick

Canada Month continues! This time Katie tells us about the civil rights activist Viola Desmond. She made history when she refused to leave her seat in the Roseland Theater. This Black Nova Scotian challenged Canadian segregation. Today she's on the $10 bill. Learn about this amazing woman on today's episode. 

Lucy Maud Montgomery - Bonnie's Canadian Gal Pick

It's Canada Day! Bonnie is starting us off with the author of Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery. Learn about how this Canadian author used working at the post office to her advantage. 

Celia Cruz - Riwo's Caribbean Pick

Riwo finishes up Caribbean Month talking about the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz. This colorful Cuban singer part of Tito Puente's Orchestra and the only female in the Fanta All-Stars. Her story is full of Azucar (sugar) sweetness. She released 37 albums and has even more collabs including one with Wyclef Jean. 

Miss Lou - Barb's Caribbean Pick

Barb continues Caribbean month by talking about the cultural icon of Jamaica. Miss Lou was an author, poet, and folklore expert. Learn and embrace the beauty and importance of the language of your culture. 

Shirley Chisholm - Bonnie's Caribbean Pick

Bonnie starts off Caribbean month with a Barbadian-Guyanese by way of Brooklyn, the fantastic Shirley Chisholm. The first African-American woman to run for President whose biography is named "Unbought and Unbossed" gives much of her influence to attending a strict school in Barbados. Bring a folding chair to this episode! 

Tomoe Gozen - Riwo's Japan Pick

Riwo closes our Japan Month with a slice of shogun history. Tomoe Gozen was an onna-musha, a female warrior. She was taught defense and offense. She was on the battlefield with Samuari where she beheaded a lot of men. She was also involved in what led to the first shogunate.

Ado - Kami's Japan Pick

Kami continues Japan Month with J-Pop star Ado. Her debut song "Usseewa" reached more than 100 million plays in record time and hit #1 on Billboard Japan Hot 100. She also has a song for One Piece Film. But get this...she doesn't show her real face. Learn about this fascinating and multi-talented artist creating powerful music right now.