Missing Figures

Nearly 100 years ago in New York City, Gladys Bentley was a well known black, lesbian performer. She waited for no one and nothing to allow her to be who she was meant to be. However, her path was never easy. Join us in a discussion of one of the greatest entertainers of the 1930s.

No movement rises on the back of one person. Ella Baker was a key organizer of the civil rights movement who ensured the next generation could carry on the fight.

Title IX gave girls and young women in the US a level playing field by prohibiting institutions that received federal funding from discriminating on the basis of gender. Patsy Mink, the first woman of color and first Asian American woman elected to Congress, was instrumental in writing this and many other "Great Society" era legislation. Join us as we discuss the drive of another fierce woman that made all of our lives better! 

Stories of power, perseverance, and possibility are not always positive. Charles Curtis, a member of the Kaw nation, was the first person of color elected Vice President of the United States. He was a complicated man and perhaps a cautionary tale. Join us as we discuss his life. What does it mean to be the only person from a minority group to reach the highest levels of society?  What choices might one make because of privilege and access to power? 

The world still tries to make minorities fit the mold created by the dominant culture. Zitkala Sa, indigenous writer, musician, composer, educator, and activist countered an education meant to suppress her culture by preserving and amplifying it. Join us as we talk about her incredible life!

Fighting for yourself can mean fighting for others. Leona Vicario, 19th century journalist, revolutionary, and founding mother of Mexico knew that the brutal treatment of indigenous peoples by the Spaniards was a tragedy for everyone. Join us again as we geek out about woman that used every resource at her disposal to fight for a better world.

"Power concedes nothing without a demand." How do you make society better through peaceful protests? By having a plan! Pacifist and civil rights organizer, Bayard Rustin, was the 'unseen' architect of the most iconic US protest movements. Geek out with us as we discuss the many ways he helped the US become a more perfect union, and discuss the many things that still need to be done. 

Rock and Roll is one of America's greatest exports. Music legend Sister Rosetta Tharpe is credited among some of Rock's most iconic stars for creating the sound. So why don't we call her the King of Rock and Roll?

Join us as we talk about the booming voice and rapid guitar lick of the larger than life woman who made it all possible. 

Sometimes the best way to deal with today's world is to look to the future. Octavia Butler created worlds and stories rooted in the struggles we still face today, climate change, racism, and sexism. But her powerful, hopeful approach did what all the best science fiction does– make us quest for a better tomorrow.

Bessie Coleman looked to the skies to show people how high they could soar! Join us for a conversation about how "Queen Bess" turned her dream of becoming a pilot into reality. She forged a path where none existed and upheld her integrity and that of her community, showing us that we all can "amount to something."

Our first episode features Dr. Olivia Hooker- psychologist and first woman to serve in active duty in the US Coast Guard during WWII. Join us for a discussion of her life's milestones and how she represents a hero for our times.

Our first episode, in which we introduce ourselves and tell you what Missing Figures is all about!

I’m Sheri Reynard and I’m joined by co-host Cynthia Wright. Welcome to Missing Figures, a discussion about stories of power, perseverance, and possibility that should be common knowledge.

Who is a Missing Figure?

• A person that has made great achievements in the face of great historical, structural, and social odds but has remained largely unknown.
• They are the positive, inspirational stories we have been robbed of!

Why might you care? 

• There is power in storytelling and representation
• Hidden Figures turns into Missing Figures
• Counter Black/Minority Storytelling that is solely rooted in tragedy and struggle
• Broaden the collective idea of the spaces BIPOC “belong”
• Broaden the collective story of BIPOC contributions to the United States and the world at large
• Hope! To help BIPOC reframe what they want and can do in this world while everyone else is catching up. The people we feature had even more concrete obstacles in their way!

Who are we going to talk about first?

• Black women mostly! But the world is our oyster, so we will be covering every type of missing figure possible. 

What will we say about them?

• When they lived and died, 
• What they are known for, 
• Who is most readily known for doing the same thing? 
• What level did they reach? 
• What societal and formal/structural obstacles were in their way? 
• What did they do to go around or through these? 
• What heights did they reach? 
• How did they end up?
• How many people of similar backgrounds have managed to do what they did?
• What memorials exist to their achievements?

We hope you join us on this adventure. If you have someone you would like to nominate, let us know!

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