Ep229. An American Airman & The Lady of the Air

Secret double lives! Aerial jail breaks! Extreme sandwiches! This week's episode has it all. First, Emily explores the history of LGBTQ+ folks in the military through the story of Master Sergeant Helen Godvin. Throughout her 20 year career in the Air Force, Helen was forced to live a double life due to the U.S. Military's homophobic policies. At work, she was a single straight woman and at home, she was a loving mother and partner. Despite the incredible stress and paranoia of hiding her sexuality from the military, Helen never faltered and never failed. Then, Kelley tells the twisty (and a little too relatable) tale of Nadine Vaujou who fell into a toxic relationship with a chronic criminal that spiraled into an epic prison break involving fruit, secret cake notes, and a helicopter. Chow down on some Milk Duds and stay strapped with nectarines because we're wining about herstory!

Sources:

From Handcuffs to Rainbows: Queer in the Military by Morgan Godvin: https://daily.jstor.org/from-handcuffs-to-rainbows-queer-in-the-military/

Helen Godvin's Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/gresham-or/helen-godvin-5792331

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