It’s Women’s History Month! At Honest History, we have the opportunity to learn about exceptional women from history every day, and we are lucky to be surrounded by some incredible women, too. We were curious to know who inspires our team and asked them to help us build the ultimate guest list. We asked them:
If you could invite one woman from history to a dinner party, who would it be?
Let’s meet some of the women at Honest History to see what they say!
Brooke Knight, Editor-in-Chief
Who would you invite?
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888)
Who was she and what did she do?
Alcott was a Civil War nurse, an early feminist, and the author of Little Women.
How did you first come across her story? Was it a book, a random article, or a family story?
I first came across Louisa May Alcott when I was ten and reading Little Women for the first time. I remember being so connected to the character, Jo March, because I was also the second eldest of four girls and had big dreams of becoming a writer. I found Louisa May’s characters so inspirational, and I felt completely transported by her writing.
What topic would you love to talk to her about? What question would you love to ask her?
I would love to ask her how she originally wanted the book to end and why she originally wanted to leave Jo March’s character unmarried. In the end, Jo March does get married, but I’m curious how Alcott initially envisioned the ending and how she wanted the readers to feel after they turned the last page.
What is one interesting or surprising fact about her?
Many doctors and historians believe Alcott may have had the autoimmune disease, lupus. While it is difficult to say for certain, Alcott did suffer from typhoid fever, which she contracted during her time as a Civil War nurse.
Heidi Coburn, Historian
Who would you invite?
I would love to invite Ynés Mexía (1870–1938).
Who was she and what did she do?
She was a prolific botanist who famously canoed 3,000 miles up the Amazon River…in her 60s!
How did you first come across her story? Was it a book, a random article, or a family story?
I learned about her while working on the latest issue of Honest History, Issue 31 | Beneath the Canopy. I was also doing a lot of research about Ynés for one of our upcoming podcast episodes (be sure to check out this month’s episode of Anytime Now). I was really drawn to her story.
What topic would you love to talk to her about? What question would you love to ask her?
I would love to talk to her about all her adventures! As for specific questions: (1) Does she have a favorite plant, and what is it? (2) What was the most memorable place that she traveled to?
What is one interesting or surprising fact about her?
Forgive the plant pun, but Ynés Mexía was truly a late bloomer. She decided to go to university and study botany in her 50s. I think this is why I am so enamored with her. Ynés felt lost for most of her life, but she finally found her purpose. During the last 13 years of her life, she traveled across North and South America collecting thousands of plants. And at 61, she canoed up the Amazon River!
Renee Owens, Social Media & Content
Who would you invite?
I’d love to invite the legendary Japanese warrior Nakano Takeko!
Who was she and what did she do?
Nakano Takeko was known for leading a group of female samurai during the Boshin War in the 19th century. They fought with a weapon called the naginata, a long pole with a curved, single-edged blade mounted on the end.
How did you first come across her story? Was it a book, a random article, or a family story?
I first came across her story in Issue 16 of Honest History! I love learning about the influential women featured in our magazines, especially the ones who challenge conventions.
What topic would you love to talk to her about? What question would you love to ask her?
I’d love to ask her what her day-to-day life was like, what it was like growing up in a samurai family, what her training was like to become a warrior, and what inspired her to organize a group of female fighters.
What is one interesting or surprising fact about her?
Sadly, she fought her final battle at just 21 years old. After she was shot in the chest, she asked her sister to cut off her head and bury it so it wouldn’t be captured and used as a trophy (a practice that sometimes occurred in samurai warfare).
Looking for stories about women in history? Our magazine is filled with tales of female adventurers—you can subscribe here! Choose from our annual and quarterly plans today. And don't forget to check out our podcasts Anytime Now and Unlock This! Kids can learn about inspiring women through the sounds and stories of the past.