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Ever wondered why Katherine of Aragon has a portrait with a monkey? Do you want to know how we select episodes? Curious about how astrology is done for each episode? Do you want to know where we'd time travel to given the chance? This episode is for you!!

In our first Q&A, we answer burning listener questions, cover our research process, detail how we select figures, and reflect on who made the most impact on us!

Come along with us as we revisit the women we've covered, the wishes we have about each of them, future plans for the podcast, and a few sneak peeks about who we'll cover in the coming months.

Still have an unanswered question? Feel free to send us fan mail on Buzzsprout or leave a comment on wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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Known more by legend than fact, Marie Laveau has been immortalized for her Louisiana Voodoo practices. Born in New Orleans as the first free woman of color in her family, she's remembered for much more than her religious practices. By the end of her life, Marie was known as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans and had practiced it for at least 60 years.

Marie was not only known for her Voodoo practices and ceremonies. She nursed the sick in Yellow Fever epidemics, cared for the condemned, and let Choctaw women and children sleep in her front yard. She was a true figurehead of multiracial, diverse community of New Orleans, and is still consulted for guidance today.

Come along with us as we explore Marie's place in New Orleans history, influence on Afro-Catholic practices, and her enduring legacy through history and astrology for Black History Month!

Sources

Articles:

• “The Ancestors: Marie Laveau’s Tomb” by August Darbonne, Kathryn O’Dwyer (https://tinyurl.com/yaav7s86)
• "The Birth of New Orleans' Voodoo Queen: A Long-Held Mystery Resolved" by Ina J. Fandrich (https://tinyurl.com/5n6sszf4)
• "Extreme Penalty of the Law: Death Punishment for Murder, The Executions Yesterday", New Orleans Republican, May 14, 1871 (https://tinyurl.com/4et3fz47)
• “Marie Laveau” by Carolyn Marrow Long (https://tinyurl.com/34ej4p5m)
• "Marie Laveau's husband disappeared 200 years ago, but an LSU student thinks she finally found him" by Doug MacCash (https://tinyurl.com/y5e3eun7)

Books:

• The French Quarter: an Informal History of the New Orleans by Herbert Ashbury
• The Magic of Marie Laveau: Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans by Denise Alvarado
• A New Orleans voudou priestess: the legend and reality of Marie Laveau by Carolyn Morrow Long
• Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, & Hoodoo Saints: A Guide to Magical New Orleans by Denise Alvarado

Primary Sources:

• Le Code Noir, May 6, 1687 (https://tinyurl.com/2s468ypz)
• Louisiana's Code Noir, 1724 (https://tinyurl.com/5z28pun5)

Websites:

• Marie Laveau Home Site (https://tinyurl.com/m4ck5jj5)
• Marie Laveau's Tomb (https://tinyurl.com/524krb6s)
• Marie Laveau, Voodoo Practitioner (https://tinyurl.com/y934fm97)
• St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 (https://tinyurl.com/4nn8utak)
• Who was Marie Laveau? (https://tinyurl.com/3n73sn5p)

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Born on April 15, 1894, Bessie Smith fell in love with music at a young age. Inspired by her brother Clarence, she started off performing on 9th Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee. By 14, she was performing at Atlanta's 81 Theatre, where she met the legendary Ma Rainey.

In 1923, Bessie recorded "Down Hearted Blues." In less than 6 months, it sold 780,000 copies. This catapulted her into the national spotlight where she toured the North and South, collaborated with greats like Louis Armstrong, and became the highest paid Black entertainer of her time.

Come along with us as we explore Bessie's career, influence on blues and jazz, and her enduring legacy through history and astrology for Black History Month!

Sources

Articles:

• “Bessie Smith” by Chris Albertson, for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (https://tinyurl.com/5ad57fps)
• "Bessie Smith: Blues Icon, Trailblazer with Village Connections" by Leeanne G-Bowley (https://tinyurl.com/472fpr6e)
• "Bessie Smith's First Recordings" by Roger Kimmel Smith (https://tinyurl.com/5n6r5e7p)
• "Bulldykers and lady lovers: the rumors about lesbian blues singers were all true" by Meagan Day (https://tinyurl.com/4byxcx83)
• “Edward Albee: Controversial Father of Vaudeville” by Anna Jennings (https://tinyurl.com/dw6byj4v)
• “Forebearers: Bessie Smith, The Empress of The Blues” by Gwen Thompkins (https://tinyurl.com/d58j32k3)
• "1923: Bessie Smith, 100 Women of the Year", TIME Magazine (https://tinyurl.com/43ywwxrk)

Books:

• Bessie by Chris Alberston, Revised and Extended Edition.

Digital Media:

• Bessie, HBO Films, 2015
• St. Louis Blues (https://tinyurl.com/545z73tr)

Websites:

• Bessie Smith (https://tinyurl.com/th3d8phr)
• Bessie Smith (https://tinyurl.com/msw69jkn)
• Bessie Smith (https://tinyurl.com/5dn9xyfs)
• GRAMMY Hall of Fame Past Recipients (https://tinyurl.com/mnrn3b45)
• The National Recording Registry 2002 (https://tinyurl.com/2my6fs2t)
• 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll (https://tinyurl.com/4vbbdazz)

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