Women’s History

Celebrating historical narratives of women

The Bristorian The Bristorian

The ‘Ladettes’ of the Millennium Turn: The 21st century woman

Brash, bolshy tabloid headlines and drunken paparazzi photographs, the ‘Ladette’ became media prey at the turn of the millennia. However, these women paved the way for a definition of womanhood and feminism as a whole. Madeline Richards explores the enduring legacy of the ‘Ladette’ and what it really meant to be a woman in 1990s Britain.

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The Bristorian The Bristorian

‘Arts Greatest Supermodel’: Uncovering the mystery behind Elizabeth Siddal

Before Edie Sedgwick, Elizabeth Siddal was ‘Art's Greatest Supermodel’. Siddal was the face of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, posing for iconic pieces such as John Everett Millais’ 1852 painting Ophelia, among others, and ultimately shaping ideas of female beauty amongst the artists of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. But as is the destiny of many female artists, Elizabeth Siddal is remembered through her relationship with a man, and mythologised as a suicidal and waifish muse, rather than as a daughter, friend and artist in her own right.

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The Bristorian The Bristorian

The Legacy of Beatrix Potter: artist, naturalist and conservationist

Though best known for her children’s books, Beatrix Potter dedicated her life to the conservation of the natural world. This Women’s History Month, the Bristorian celebrates her lesser-known achievements in conserving one of the most remarkable natural landscapes in England.

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The Bristorian The Bristorian

Women and Beer: Is it just a ‘Man’s drink’?

Nowadays, beer is integral to ‘lad’ culture, particularly at university. It is reiterated within popular culture that beer is, in essence, off-limits for women. Carys Lloyd looks at the long history of women and beer and how it isn’t really just a man’s world.

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The Bristorian The Bristorian

Reflecting on the Women of History

The Bristorian closes its Women’s History Month initiative with an overview of some of the women who have shaped today’s world. We look at figures from Malala Yousafzai to Claudette Colvin, and in doing so seek to remember the fabulous achievements of the women of history.

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The Bristorian The Bristorian

“Whose Standards of Life are they Fighting to Preserve?” The Historic Lack of Intersectionality in the Feminist Movement in Britain

From the anti-Sati campaigns of the early 1800s to the discursive dominance of the “Third World Woman” in the late 20th century, the fight for gender equality has persistently been enacted through a raced and classed lens.

The Bristorian examines the historic lack of intersectionality within the feminist movement in Britain, and the complex hierarchies of power that sustained its elitist framework.

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The Bristorian The Bristorian

Statuegate - Mary Seacole: Crimean War hero or business opportunist?

In 2016 a statue of Mary Seacole was erected outside St Thomas Hospital, sparking a debate over whether she worked as a nurse or ran a supplies shop and restaurant during the Crimean War.

In this article, the Bristorian tries to uncover the real Seacole, and explores whether statue memorials are still congruous to remembering history.

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The Bristorian The Bristorian

Review: Women’s History Month Panel

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Bristol’s most brilliant minds gathered to discuss the study of Women’s History. Sasha reports on the insights, innovations and joys of this year’s Women’s History Month Panel.

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The Bristorian The Bristorian

Post World Wars Western Identity: Gender and Sexuality

March 2022 marks the 41st anniversary of Women’s History month, originating in California as a week-long local celebration. On the surface, women’s social, political, and economic positions have vastly improved since the mid-20th century, but on a deeper level there are still obstacles, even if not tangible or explicitly spoken about. As part of Women’s History Month, the Bristorian focuses on the trials of gender and sexuality in post-war Western Society.

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The Bristorian The Bristorian

The Eternal Voice of bell hooks

On International Women’s Day, The Bristorian reflects on the lasting legacy of the voice of bell hooks. The influential scholar, author and social critic brought an outspoken opinion to the dangers of how black women were currently perceived in history, and sought to highlight the struggles they face in expressing their voices.

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