Flora Mae Hunter (c. 1910-2003) cooked for royalty, government officials, and wealthy business magnates. After decades of working in a kitchen, she immortalized her famed dishes in a beloved cookbook.
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) made significant contributions to the field of ecology. She pioneered methods of scientific observation and inspired scientists for generations to come.
Edith Wharton (1862-1937) used her childhood of privilege as inspiration for her Pulitzer Prize-winning work, The Age of Innocence.
Welcome to a special bonus episode featuring Kimberly Stevens, brought to you by Mercedes-Benz. Kimberly is the Senior Trackside Aerodynamicist for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Hear how her passion for her work led her from the suburbs of Ohio to the fastest race tracks around the world. Special thanks to Mercedes-Benz, this month's exclusive sponsor!
Alexandra David-Néel (1868-1969) was an eccentric character who refused to stay still. She defied strict Victorian expectations to lead a truly unbelievable life of adventure, and wrote over 30 books about her experiences.
Sally Gabori (1924-2015) started painting in her early 80s. She channeled the pain and pride of her home island into acrylic masterpieces. In quite a short period, she became one of the most famous Aboriginal artists of her time.
Inge Lehmann (1888-1993) performed research that upended the way scientists thought of the center of the planet.
Harriet Doerr (1910-2002) lit up the literary world at age 73. She lived a full and layered life that she frequently tapped into for inspiration.
Marjorie Rice (1923-2017) is an unlikely mathematician. She never got further than a year of high school math education. And yet, she discovered geometric patterns that had never been found before.
Gertrude Morgan (1900-1980) was a self-taught artist who started painting at 56. In under 20 years, she had completed an estimated 800 pieces and exhibited her work in galleries across the US.