Myths of Women's History
Sometimes, in studying women's history, you run across a story that is alleged to be true, but the facts and research just don't back it up or only back up part of the story. Here are some of my favorite myths of women's history, and my assessment of whether they're accurate or not -- or how much of the story is accurate.
Myths of Women's History - Just Ain't So Stories
Some stories in women's history are not true: here are several of those Just Ain't So Stories.
Some stories in women's history are not true: here are several of those Just Ain't So Stories.
Myths of Women's History: Bra Burning Feminists of the Sixties
Feminists in the 1960s burned their bras - we all know that - even if it Just Ain't So.
Feminists in the 1960s burned their bras - we all know that - even if it Just Ain't So.
Myths of Women's History: Popess Joan the Woman Pope
Popess Joan, a female pope: the legends persist, though there's little evidence for them.
Popess Joan, a female pope: the legends persist, though there's little evidence for them.
Myths of Women's History: Betsy Ross and the First Flag
Betsy Ross didn't make the first American flag, so why keep telling a false story?
Betsy Ross didn't make the first American flag, so why keep telling a false story?
Myths of Women's History: Jane Fonda in North Vietnam
Yes, she went to North Vietnam and denounced the United States presence in Vietnam - but no, she didn't directly turn in POWs and cause their deaths.
Yes, she went to North Vietnam and denounced the United States presence in Vietnam - but no, she didn't directly turn in POWs and cause their deaths.
Myths of Women's History: Hillary Clinton and the Black Panthers: Exaggeration
The myth of Hillary Clinton and the Black Panthers has grown before our very eyes, right here on the Internet.
The myth of Hillary Clinton and the Black Panthers has grown before our very eyes, right here on the Internet.
Myths of Women's History: Rule of Thumb and Wife-Beating
That a man was permitted to beat his wife with a switch no thicker than his thumb was a fact, though it was probably not a formal law anywhere nor stated in common law in just that form -- and was almost certainly not the origin of the phrase rule of thumb.
That a man was permitted to beat his wife with a switch no thicker than his thumb was a fact, though it was probably not a formal law anywhere nor stated in common law in just that form -- and was almost certainly not the origin of the phrase rule of thumb.
Myths of Women's History: Pocahontas Saves Captain John Smith
It's one of the best-known stories in American history: Indian princess throws herself on captive John Smith to save him from her father's order of execution. But is the story true?
It's one of the best-known stories in American history: Indian princess throws herself on captive John Smith to save him from her father's order of execution. But is the story true?