Episode 384: Hoes of History: Patty McCormack

Patty McCormack became famous as a child for playing one of the most unsettling little girls in movie history. But there was far more to her life and career than Rhoda Penmark in The Bad Seed. From her early days as a child actress and Broadway performer to her transition into adult roles, Patty built a career that stretched across decades. We'll explore her rise to fame, the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, the role that made her famous, and how she continued working long after many child stars disappeared from the screen. Because Patty McCormack's story isn't just about playing a famously bad little girl. It's about what happened to the woman who had to grow up after America watched her be terrifyingly good at being evil. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Hilma af Klint was painting the future before the world was ready to see it. A classically trained Swedish artist, she secretly created enormous, abstract works filled with geometric shapes, vivid colors, and mysterious symbols—years before artists like Kandinsky and Mondrian became famous for abstraction. Deeply influenced by spiritualism, séances, and the belief that she was receiving messages from beyond, Hilma produced hundreds of paintings that she ultimately instructed should remain hidden for decades after her death. When the art world finally discovered her work, it sparked a long-overdue reevaluation of who truly pioneered abstract art. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

In the 1970s, when solo motorcycle travel was considered a man's world, Anne-France Dautheville simply decided she was going to ride into it. A French journalist, writer and adventurer, Anne-France first discovered long-distance motorcycle travel in 1972, when she became the only woman among dozens of riders in the Paris-to-Ispahan Orion Raid. She continued into Afghanistan and Pakistan, and returned to France determined to prove that she could go farther. In 1973, riding a small Kawasaki, Anne-France became the first woman to travel around the world alone by motorcycle. Her journey took her through Canada, Alaska, Japan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and Europe, a roughly 20,000-kilometer adventure undertaken decades before GPS, smartphones or the conveniences of modern solo travel. But Anne-France's story isn't simply about motorcycles. It's about what happens when a woman refuses to accept the limitations other people place on her. After facing rumors and skepticism within the motorcycle world, she answered not with an argument, but with an even bigger adventure. She turned her travels into books, including Une Demoiselle sur une Moto and Et J'ai Suivi le Vent, and continued exploring the world on two wheels for years. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Enid Maude Lindeman was born into Australia's famous Lindeman wine family and lived a life that seemed stranger than fiction. Later known as Enid Browne, Countess of Kenmare, she married four wealthy husbands—all of whom died before her—earning the tabloid nickname "Lady Killmore." But there was far more to Enid than scandal. She served as an ambulance driver during World War I, helped Allied soldiers escape occupied France during World War II, entertained royalty and Hollywood stars at her French Riviera estate, and lived a life defined by adventure, privilege, and resilience. Join us as we uncover the remarkable true story of one of the 20th century's most fascinating—and largely forgotten—socialites. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Liz Sheridan, the actress best known for her memorable roles as Jerry Seinfeld's mother on Seinfeld and the lovable neighbor Mrs. Ochmonek on ALF. But long before she became a familiar face on television, Sheridan was a talented dancer and performer pursuing her dreams on the stages of New York City. We'll trace her journey from her early years growing up in New York, through her career in theater and entertainment, and the challenges she faced as a woman building a career in show business. We'll also discuss her fascinating romance with James Dean years before he became a Hollywood icon—a relationship she later chronicled in her memoir. From Broadway productions and television guest appearances to her late-career success in two of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, Liz Sheridan's story is one of perseverance, reinvention, and finding success on her own timeline. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Alice Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the women's suffrage movement. From her Quaker upbringing in New Jersey to her education in England, where she learned militant protest tactics, Alice Paul dedicated her life to securing equal rights for women. We'll follow her journey as she organized historic marches, endured arrests and force-feeding while imprisoned, and played a pivotal role in the passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. But her fight didn't end there. Alice Paul continued advocating for gender equality through the Equal Rights Amendment and spent decades pushing for legal protections for women around the world. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Emily Warren Roebling helped build one of America's most iconic landmarks while quietly redefining what women were capable of in the 19th century.  Long before women were recognized in engineering or leadership roles, Emily stepped into a world dominated by men after her husband, Washington Roebling, became severely ill during construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. With no formal engineering education, she taught herself advanced mathematics, bridge construction, materials science, and project management to serve as his eyes, ears, and voice on-site. Through intelligence, resilience, and determination, Emily became the critical link that kept the project alive and ultimately helped bring the bridge to completion in 1883. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Cherie DeVaux is the trailblazing horse trainer who made history as the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby as a trainer. From her childhood roots and passion for horses to breaking into the male-dominated world of thoroughbred racing, Cherie's journey is one of resilience, grit, and determination. We explore the pivotal moments that shaped her path, including her early years in harness racing, the sacrifices she made to build a career in elite horse racing, and the challenges she faced as a woman working her way through one of sports' toughest industries. The episode also highlights the personal side of Cherie's story — her family life, mentorships, and the defining experiences that led her to the sport's biggest stage. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Cora Reynolds Anderson was a quiet trailblazer whose legacy reshaped Michigan's political landscape, even if her name isn't widely known today. Born in 1882 in Baraga County, she was of Ojibwe descent and grew up deeply connected to her community and culture at a time when Native voices were largely excluded from public life. That didn't stop her from stepping into history. In 1924, Cora became the first Native American woman elected to a state legislature in the United States, serving in the Michigan House of Representatives. Long before Native Americans were granted full citizenship rights nationwide, she used her position to advocate for her community, championing issues like public health, education, and the welfare of Indigenous people. She worked to address the tuberculosis crisis affecting Native populations and pushed for better resources and representation, all while navigating a political system that wasn't built for her voice. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

In 1948, a quiet 11-year-old girl from New Jersey made a small mistake that would change her life forever. What followed was not just a crime—it was a prolonged nightmare that exposed the vulnerabilities of children in plain sight. We uncover the haunting story of Sally Horner, a young girl abducted by a man posing as a figure of authority, who manipulated fear and trust to keep her captive for nearly two years. As we trace Sally's journey across state lines, we explore how she survived, the moments she nearly escaped, and the resilience she showed under unimaginable circumstances. But Sally's story doesn't end with her rescue. We also examine the aftermath—how her life was shaped by trauma, how the media portrayed her, and the ways her story has been referenced (and sometimes misunderstood) in popular culture. This is not just a story about a crime—it's about a system that failed, a child who endured, and a history that deserves to be remembered with care and clarity. Listener discretion is advised.