Womanica

Petra Herrera (1887-1916) was a soldadera who dressed and lived under the name Pedro Herrera. While disguised as a man, she fought with the insurgent troops of the Mexican Revolution and reached incredible heights — but once it revealed she was a woman, she was refused military rank and removed from the army. Afterwards, she served undercover once again, this time, as a spy.

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593- c.1656) was an Italian Baroque painter. She was one of the most accomplished 17th century artists, painting naturalistic depictions of forms and figures. But, her achievements have often been overshadowed by scandals in her personal life.

Marsha “Mudd” Ferber (1941-unknown) was a hippie, a back-to-the-lander, a revolutionary, and an outlaw. She was also the owner of The Underground Railroad, an alternative music haven in Morgantown, West Virginia that hosted the likes of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Grateful Dead. In 1988, she disappeared – and her whereabouts have remained a mystery to this day.

Fanny Eaton (1835-1924) was a model and muse for dozens of iconic paintings from the pre-Raphaelite era. Her face can be found in museums around the world, and yet she remains unnamed and overlooked even today.

Jehanne D’Alcy (1865-1956) was the first French film actress. She was known for her work alongside illusionist and film director Georges Méliès. With the invention of the movie camera, she went on to star in his films - which included dozens of short, silent movies, across genres. The two are regarded as early pioneers of cinema, and remain inspirational to filmmakers even today.

Ellen Craft (1826-1891) was an abolitionist and freedom seeker from Georgia. She disguised herself as a white enslaver to escape slavery with her husband, William. Their autobiography told the story of their relentless pursuit for freedom, and advocated against slavery.

Connie Converse (1924-unknown) was an American singer songwriter who was active in the 1950s New York music scene. Her recordings are some of the earliest known recordings of the singer songwriter genre but were lost after her 1974 disappearance.

Gayl Jones (1949 - present) is a prolific author celebrated for her writing about Black womanhood, slavery, and the African Diaspora. She disappeared from public life by choice until very recently, when she reappeared in words with her 2021 novel, “Palmares.”

Helga de la Brache (c.1817-1885) was the secret daughter of exiled King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden. At least, that’s what she told people to earn their sympathies and money. But before there was Helga, there was Aurora Florentina Magnusson, a working class maid who transformed herself into a lost princess.

Mary Carleton (c.1634-1673) was a fraudster who posed as a German princess to marry a man she thought was a lord. When his family discovered her true identity, she was put on trial for bigamy – a trial that catapulted her to fame.