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Invisible Women

Invisible Women

Written by: Diane Greig
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About this listen

 Invisible Women is about eight women who worked in espionage during World War II. They were from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. What they had in common was the opportunity to step outside societal norms, while at the same time working in the shadows. This podcast is an opportunity to hear their stories, to explore their roles in society and discover what we can learn from these stories, that is relevant today.Diane Greig Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Heroine’s Journey

    Heroine’s Journey
    Jun 11 2021
    In this episode, you’ll meet Jennis, a young American woman who grew up in Middle America. She chose to challenge the conventions of the 1940s by holding a sit-in to protest her university’s policy of not allowing women to study Japanese. WW 2 was underway and she wanted to help the war effort in a way that would maximise her contributions. She won her fight and learned Japanese. After being vetted, she was recruited and trained by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to become an espionage agent in India, Burma and Ceylon. Episodes include war-related content that some listeners may find disturbing and/or traumatizing. This content includes graphic references to sexual assault and suicide. Episode Details Episode NamePodcast Episode #08 Created by: Diane GreigProduced by: Robert OuimetRuns: 39:45 Credits Host and Writer: Diane GreigEdie: Tanja Dixon-WarrenCasting Director: Eileen BarrettProducer: Robert OuimetSound engineer: Matt James and Scott Whittaker Show Notes Visiting temples in IndiaHow Jennis’s espionage experience was so different than the other womenHow Diane’s journey unfolded after doing the researchJennis: Growing up in KansasTwo degrees, but still not allowed to study Japanese at university because she was a womanA one-person sit-in at the classroom finally wins the dayRecruited by the OSS after learning JapaneseTranslating Japanese documents, newspapers and confiscated articlesSent to India, doing research and analysisTravelling and learning Hindi, moving in with an Indian familyMeeting GandhiFascinated by Satyagraha, becoming “violently non-violent”Using Satyagraha to diffuse a dangerous personal situationBack in the US after the war, a PhD and a life long love and study of India Links and Resources Psychology/philosophyHinduismJung psychologyReview: The Evolutionary Journey of Woman: From the Goddess to Integral Feminism by Sarah NicholsonThe Heroine Journeys ProjectSatyagraha HistoryA Largely Indian Victory in World War II, Mostly Forgotten in India (NY Times article, pay wall)Strategic Operations Executive in IndiaSecret Agents, Secret Armies: The Short Happy Life of the OSSThe Burma CampaignThe Bizarre Ways America’s First Spy Agency Tried to Overthrow HitlerThe Women Whose Secret Work Helped Win World War II (NY Times article, pay wall) All Episodes in this Series Episode 8: Heroine’s Journey Episode 7: Embodiment Episode 6: Madonnas Episode 5: Sisterhood Episode 4: Shadow Projections Episode 3: Propaganda Episode 2: Spy Craft Episode 1: Service Zero Promo
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    40 mins
  • Embodiment

    Embodiment
    May 11 2021
    In this episode you’ll hear Celine’s story. She was a young French woman who first joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in the UK, and then later became a British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent. She parachuted into France to courier, sabotage and coordinate among Maquis groups. You’ll hear how she challenged biased cultural beliefs about women and her references that underscore the personality of many of the women I interviewed ~ independent, strategic, compassionate, courageous and instinctual. Celine made crucial contributions in one of the most turbulent times of WW 2; during the D-Day invasion and the weeks that followed. Post war, the British government honoured some SOE agents with medals ~ the men received far more than the women. And for those women like Celine who did survive and receive commendation, their medals were civilian, rather than military. Episodes include war-related content that some listeners may find disturbing and/or traumatizing. This content includes graphic references to sexual assault and suicide. Episode Details EmbodimentPodcast Episode #07 Created by: Diane GreigProduced by: Robert OuimetRuns: 57:48 Credits Host and Writer: Diane GreigCeline: Emily Bett RickardsCasting Director: Eileen BarrettProducer: Robert OuimetSound engineer: Scott Whittaker Show Notes About the British SOE (Special OperationsExecutive) and attitudes about womenBipolar stereotype of women Projections, repression and fear of ‘other’Celine’s story, leaving France to finish school in EnglandJoining the WAAF, Women’s Auxiliary Air ForceTraining at SOE ‘finishing school’ in ScotlandExplosives, guns and safe crackingGetting married before deployment to FranceDropping into France and a rough landingRecruiting and supplies for the underground teamsD-day and close callsStaying to help the allied forcesA final tragic encounter Links and Resources A list of SOE agentsSecret Scottish training campsSOE Training, Transport and EquipmentThe Female Spies of the SOEThe Witch huntsA Brief Guide to Embodied CognitionReductionismLhasa Pilgrim Circuits and KoraYangon’s Shwedagon PagodaThe maquisWomen’s Auxiliary Air ForceSpecial Operations SOE Tempsford Secret Airfield WWII Spy Base (YouTube Video)The Free FrenchFalais PocketD-DayShaving women’s heads after liberation All Episodes in this Series Episode 8: Heroine’s Journey Episode 7: Embodiment Episode 6: Madonnas Episode 5: Sisterhood Episode 4: Shadow Projections Episode 3: Propaganda Episode 2: Spy Craft Episode 1: Service Zero Promo
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    58 mins
  • Madonnas

    Madonnas
    Apr 11 2021
    There have been two Madonnas worshiped throughout Europe for centuries, reflecting the splitting of the feminine archetypal energy in the mind and lives of western people. This episode is about Zosia, a young woman who couriered for the Polish resistance in 1939, went into forced labor and found strength in the teachings of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa. This icon of the Polish people and women symbolizes the power of independence, freedom, resistance, character and integrity. Episodes include war-related content that some listeners may find disturbing and/or traumatizing. Episode Details MadonnasPodcast Episode #06 Created by: Diane GreigProduced by: Robert OuimetRuns: 42:46 Credits Host and Writer: Diane GreigZosia: Jane HeymanCasting Director: Eileen BarrettProducer: Robert OuimetSound engineer: Matt James Show Notes The great mother: Interconnectedness and continuityEarly spiritualityThe two MadonnasFeminine and masculine archetypesBlack IsisMadonna above, Madonna belowPoland and The Black MadonnaZosia’s story12 year old Girl Guide CourierA family of resistanceHiding arms from the enemyFleeing the RussiansForced labour in GermanyInspiration from the Black MadonnaDisplaced Person after the war, an a new lifeCanada Links and Resources HistoryIsis nursing HorusBlack Madonna of CzęstochowaChartres CathedralThe Black Madonna of Poland (YouTube)The Black Madonna of Czestochowa PolAmJournalHallowed Be Her Name: The Language of the GoddessForced labour under German rule during World War IIWorld War II: The Invasion of Poland and the Winter WarPoland still counts losses from WW2 invasion PsychologicalThe Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our FutureLonging for Darkness: Tara and the Black Madonna : a Ten-year JourneyDancing in the FlamesDescent to the Goddess: A Way of Initiation for WomenMaureen Murdock’s Heroine’s Journey ArcMarion Woodman: Dancing in the Flames – ‘Two Marions’ (YouTube) All Episodes in this Series Episode 8: Heroine’s Journey Episode 7: Embodiment Episode 6: Madonnas Episode 5: Sisterhood Episode 4: Shadow Projections Episode 3: Propaganda Episode 2: Spy Craft Episode 1: Service Zero Promo Black Madonna of Częstochowa via Wikipedia
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    43 mins
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