Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Women Who Changed America

Have you ever wondered what the paper bag, the Underground Railroad, and Kevlar have in common? They were all invented, founded, or championed by an American woman. In the book Her Story: A Timeline

Women Who Changed America

Tom Fudge:  History is past and some people say it can't be rewritten. But, of course, it is very often rewritten. Changes in the way we see our history reflects today's values and opinions about what really mattered in our past. One school of revisionist history is written by feminists, who believe conventional history has glossed over the accomplishments of women. You've probably heard the old punning joke that male dominated history is his-story. We should tell her-story too.

Well, Her Story is the name of a new book about American female history, written by Charlotte Waisman and Jill Tietjen.  And if you think this is a dense academic tome, you'd be way off the mark. It is a heavily illustrated book whose pages display a chronology of American history, featuring photos or paintings of accomplished women. The pictures are accompanied by a short description of who the woman was and what she did.

Advertisement

Guest

  • Jill Tietjen , author, speaker and electrical engineer. Her latest book is called Her Story: A Timeline of Women Who Changed America .

Fact-based local news is essential

KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.

Without federal funding, community support is our lifeline.
Make a gift to protect the future of KPBS.