Course organiser:Frank Tay
Presenter:Katie Pickles
What does it take to be a heroine in history? Are heroines super-feminine or honorary men? Do they have power and influence? Are heroines all about image rather than substance? This series of lectures introduces some of the types of women who have become heroines in history. Each lecture focuses on an heroic category and draws upon examples from different times and locations.
6 Jun:
'Spiritual Heroines': Throughout history goddesses and mother figures have emphasized feminine heroic attributes. From the Virgin Mary to modern female saints, this lecture explores the heroism of female spiritual icons.
13 Jun:
'Warrior Heroines': Across time and culture, men are thought of as life-takers and women as life-givers. But there are a few very prominent heroic exceptions. This lecture considers women as warriors and looks at a famous example: Boadiccea.
20 Jun:
'Heroines of Well-being': The life and legend of Florence Nightingale. Here image and reality are often very different.
27 Jun:
'Technological Heroines': In the 20th century a new breed of heroines emerged. These were self-made women in formerly men’s occupations. The talented and hardworking scientist Marie Curie is an example.
4 Jul:
'Radical Heroines': These heroines have self-consciously and actively, or even accidentally, tried to change the world. Rosa Parks, Rigoberta Menchu, Aung San Suu Kyi and Mother Jones are featured.