Maria Sibylla Merian was born into a family of artists in mid-17th century Germany, so it's no surprise when she starts detailing fine illustrations of nature at just 13 years old, but what we're sure her parents didn't see coming was her vast collection of... CATERPILLARS!
That's right. Maria ends up becoming the foremost expert on our favorite very hungry insects, and whole bunch of other works of nature including a wide variety of plants and even frogs! Maria's research and drawings are so meticulously detailed that she ends up turning the world of etymology on its head, dispelling inaccurate myths and rewriting the bug-knowledge books of the time.
Maria is one of the most talented nerds we've ever talked about on this podcast, so you'd better tune in now to hear her fascinating story!
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A Broad is a woman who lives by her own rules. Broads You Should Know is the podcast about the Broads who helped shape our world!
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Broads You Should Know is hosted by Sara Gorsky.
IG: @SaraGorsky
Web master / site design: www.BroadsYouShouldKnow.com
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Broads You Should Know is produced by Sara Gorsky & edited by Chloe Skye
Dr. Marian Croak — "Black Engineer of the Year" Who Invented VOIP Technology & Expanded the Internet [Sara Gorsky]
Indestructible Women — Joy Andrew, Margery McCall, & Richmodis von Aducht [Chloe Skye]
Broadly Speaking #2: Introducing Co-Host Chloe Skye!, Coming Out as Transgender, TV Recommendations, & more!
Frida Kahlo — Mexican Painter & Revolutionary Best Known for Her Work Exploring the Concepts of Identity, Pain, and Mexican Heritage [Sara Gorsky]
Annie Edson Taylor — Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel [Sam Eggers]
Ella Jo Baker — Grassroots Civil Rights Organizer Against the Deification of Male Leaders (MLK, etc) [Sara Gorsky]
Dr. Jane Cook Wright — Revolutionized Cancer Research [Sam Eggers]
Melina Abdullah — Academic & Civic Leader; Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles [Chloe Skye]
Shirley Chisholm — First African American Woman to Run for President of the United States [Sara Gorsky]
Jacinda Ardern — PM of New Zealand [Chloe Skye]
Bessie Coleman — First African-American & Native American Woman to Earn Pilot's License [Sam Eggers]
Caroline Herschel — Astronomer & Creator of “New General Catalogue” of Stellar Objects; First Woman to be Paid a Salary as a Scientist [Chloe Skye]
Mother Teresa — The Controversial Nun who Lived Intentionally in Poverty & Became a Saint [Sam Eggers]
Ida B. Wells — First Reporter to Break Story About Southern Lynchings [Sara Gorsky]
Coronavirus Sheroes Pt. 2 — Journalism, Immunology, & Indigenous Healthcare [Sara Gorsky]
Jennifer Nelson — Responsible for Bringing "Happy Birthday" Into Public Domain [Chloe Skye]
Ida Tarbell — The Mother of Modern Journalism Ethics Who Took Down Standard Oil [Sam Eggers]
Wangari Muta Maathai — First African Woman to Win a Nobel Prize & Founder of the Green Belt Movement (Responsible for Planting 20M Trees Worldwide)
Mary Edwards Walker — First female U.S. war surgeon, POW, & only woman to receive the Medal of Honor
Heroes of the Coronavirus — The women who are fighting to slow the spread, pass legislation, & find a cure for COVID-19
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