Women of War Women of War Podcast

This week - our last episode of the season brings all the horrors of World War I with the additional terror of an unexplained pandemic! In this episode Nicola and Hannah discuss the gendered expectations of soldiers returning from WWI with disabilities, especially facial injuries, and the expectations of women in their lives. There’s a brief Robin Williams-diversion, and then a discussion of the work of American artist Anna Coleman-Ladd in restoring confidence to some soldiers with her delicately crafted copper masks that served to mimic the men’s pre-war faces.


Thanks to everyone who listened through this season of our podcast, we appreciate every single one of you. We will be back sometime in 2022, hopefully recording together and not being hit by things falling off the desks we’re recording under. Anything for slightly better audio quality. 


Thanks to Dorian (here’s his twitter) for his reading of “We Are the Maimed” and “In Flanders Fields.” Dorian is a queer-, disability- and trans- rights activist and artist based in Melbourne. He also has a kofi: https://ko-fi.com/sindesiecle


This episode contains descriptions of war injuries and disability, mental illness, suicide and suicidal ideation, murder, facial injuries, pandemics and illnesses, comas, domestic violence and murder by intimate partners, and swearing. Why do we warn people about the swearing? We just don’t know. 


This episode also contains discussion of medical issues. It is not intended as advice. Do not take medical advice from two historians who live with their parents, or any strangers online. Please speak to a doctor or other medical professional if you have questions about Covid-19 or vaccination. 


All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies. Nicola does give the wrong name for one of the writers of the 100 Stories - it’s Laura, not whatever the hell she said. She knows too many people with the surname James. Sorry Laura. 


For more information on disabled and mentally ill returned servicemen after WWI, check out Shattered Anzacs by Marina Larsson, The 100 Stories by Bruce Scates, Rebecca Wheatley and Laura James, The Last Battle by Bruce Scates and Melanie Oppenheimer, or  The Cost of War by Stephen Garton. For more info on Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance check out A Place to Remember by Bruce Scates. 


For the whole political issue of Anzac in Australia, check out What’s Wrong With Anzac, or Anzac’s Long Shadow. 


Penny Marshall’s film Awakenings does not appear to be streaming in Australia. Piracy is wrong, but the film is 30 years old so good luck finding it regardless. 


Footage of Anna Coleman Ladd working in her mask clinic is available in this article:


https://allthatsinteresting.com/anna-coleman-ladd. 


 


For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.


Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com


Sound Effects by ZapSplat.com

Clara Barton had finally made her way to the battlefront of the American Civil War, but now what? How about operating on a soldier without training, changing the very way the War Department organised medical aid, some typhus, an extramarital affair, and setting up an office to find missing and wounded soldiers. That might be a good place to start. 


Women of War is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.


This episode contains references to war casualties, amputation, nineteenth century medical procedures, illness, corporal punishment, depression, and suicidal thoughts. It may not be suitable for all listeners. This episode was recorded over Zoom. We apologise for any audio issues.


Our immense gratitude again to our excellent actor, Vanessa, for her voicing of Clara for this episode.


All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies. 


To learn more about the American Civil War, check out Uncivil, which brings you stories that were left out of the official history of the Civil War, ransacks America's past, and takes on the history you grew up with: https://bit.ly/2W2blXa


For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.


Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

When Confederate forces attacked the American Army at Fort Sumter on April 12th, 1861, no-one could have predicted the scale of tragedy and devastation that followed in the American Civil War. Certainly not the American Government, who struggled to find the food and clothing necessary to supply the Union forces. Enter women like Clara Barton, a former teacher and clerk at the US Patent Office who had trouble sitting by doing nothing when there were people who needed her help. First she collected supplies, then she traveled to the battlefield, and then....listen now to find out. 


Women of War is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.


This episode contains references to war casualties, amputation, nineteenth century medical procedures, illness, corporal punishment, depression, and suicidal thoughts. It may not be suitable for all listeners. This episode was recorded over Zoom. We apologise for any audio issues.


Our immense gratitude to our excellent actor, Vanessa, for her voicing of Clara for this episode.


All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies. 


To learn more about the American Civil War, check out Uncivil, which brings you stories that were left out of the official history of the Civil War, ransacks America's past, and takes on the history you grew up with: https://bit.ly/2W2blXa


For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.


Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
-Archbishop Desmond Tutu. 


“If you play at being an apolitical artist in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If you make films about the oppressor holding him as a hero, then spend the rest of your life complaining about people calling you a Nazi, cry me a river, sunshine.”


-Nicola.


 


This week on Women of War we finally step over the Maginot Line and examine possibly the most famous Nazi woman, propagandist (though she said she wasn’t), auteur and artist Leni Riefenstahl. Leni Riefenstahl felt herself destined for stardom, first as a(n average) dancer, then a (bad) actress and eventually as a director. She’d stop at nothing to get her way, just as Hitler would stop at nothing to control Germany and destroy the democratic world. And Leni saw nothing wrong with that. She would be the greatest director in the world and not even the collapse of the Third Reich would slow her down.


This episode contains references to atrocities committed by the Nazi regime in WWII, rape, racism, anti-Semitism, attempted suicide, self harm, mental anguish, gendered pejorative language, and drug use. It also contains bad language. 


Check out Lindsay Ellis’ video on the Hunchback of Notre Dame, providing extra context on the Cannes and Venice film festivals in the 1930s. Also check out her video “Mel Brooks, the Producers and the ethics of satire about Nazis” here, if you would like to hear some discussion about the theatrics of fascism present in some of Riefenstahl’s work.


If you need a chuckle, click here to see “General Adolph takes a walk,” proof that people have always been people no matter when in history they were from. That's the Lambeth Walk you can hear playing about a third of the way into the episode, which we do not have permission to use. It's for an educational purpose, okay?



If you need a snooze, check out Riefenstahl’s Olympia on YouTube. You can also find Triumph of the Will without much looking online, but instead we’re going to link to Roger Ebert’s review that Nicola quoted. If you’ve seen the medal scene in Star Wars: A New Hope, and Be Prepared from the Lion King, you’ve basically got the gist of Triumph of the Will. Think massed formations. Think marching. Think a lot of trumpets.



For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.


 


Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Please note, as this episode was recorded in isolation during Melbourne's fifth lockdown, there are a few audio issues. Thank you for your understanding.


Born at the close of the 60s, Marjane Satrapi grew up in a changing world. A child of upper middle class, left-wing Iranian parents Marjane came of age during the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the violence of the Iran-Iraq war. Her unique perspective on the revolution and war gives us a child- and teenager- eye view of a violent, complex and turbulent period in a beautiful part of the world.


Good news everyone! As of 19th July, 2021, Stan has the film version of “Persepolis” available to stream. If you’re in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia or home isolation in another state or territory due to the federal government’s extreme failure in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and their abysmal vaccine rollout, do yourself a favour and check it out! What else are you going to do?


Thanks to Mr Grayson Brown for lending us his voice acting talents as our newsreader. You the real MVP.



Thanks to the ABC for not suing us for using Charles William’s “Majestic Fanfare.” Due to its use in jest and the shortness of the snippet, it probably counts under “fair dealing.” You don’t have the money to sue us and we don’t have the money to fight it. Let’s just chill. 


Women of War is recorded on Wurundjeri land. We pay our respects to their elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.


This episode contains references to civilian deaths, brainwashing, bombing, torture, immolation, gas poisoning and other atrocities of war, child soldiers, drug addiction, forced marriage, sexual assault and rape. And swearing. 


All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies.


For further reading -- read the book! It should be at your local library, or support your local bookshop. Marjane's other works include "Chicken with Plums" and "Embroideries."



Emma Watson’s interview with Marjane Satrapi can be found here.


If you’re here because you’re studying Persepolis in VCE, nice work on looking for extra resources! Send this to three friends to gain luck from the Gods of VCAA, and good luck on the GAT.


For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.


Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

She made her name dancing in a banana skirt, some pearls, and nothing else, but it was her actions as a spy for the French Resistance during WWII that earned Josephine Baker full military honours on her death. The Harlem Renaissance, the Années folles, WWII, the Civil Rights Movement...if it was a key period of the 20th century, chances are Josephine Baker was in the middle of it. A life of incredible achievements but also some questionable decisions, listen to Hannah and Nicola as they discuss the incomparable Josephine Baker. Who else could make a troupe of monkeys appear in an episode on the French Secret Service?


Women of War is recorded on Wurundjeri land. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.


This episode contains references to physical and sexual abuse, miscarriage, medical procedures, hysterectomies, racism, war crimes, slavery and Nazi ideologies. It also contains some naughty language. It may not be suitable for all listeners.
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies. 


For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.


Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com