Episode 318: Hoes of History: Florine Mark

Dr. Alexa Canady shattered barriers by becoming the first African American female neurosurgeon in the United States. From her early years in Lansing, Michigan, (that's right - she's a hometown hoe), to her groundbreaking residency at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Canady’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering passion. We explore the challenges she faced as a woman of color in a predominantly male and white field, her pioneering contributions to pediatric neurosurgery, and her tireless advocacy for patient care. Hear how Dr. Canady transformed adversity into opportunity, earning widespread respect and leaving an indelible mark on the medical community. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Florine Mark revolutionized the weight-loss industry and inspired countless individuals to live healthier, happier lives. As the former owner and president of Weight Watchers Group, Florine built a business empire rooted in empowerment and community. Florine went from humble beginnings in Detroit to becoming a global health and wellness leader. She attended Weight Watchers meetings in New York to help her lose weight and then brought the concept back to Detroit as the first franchise WW owner. Then, she expaned across all of North America. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the power of believing in yourself. Whether you're striving for personal growth or professional success, Florine’s story will leave you motivated to take that next step toward your goals. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Brenda Lee, the pint-sized powerhouse, has a voice that defined generations. From her humble beginnings in Georgia to becoming a global icon, Brenda’s journey is one of resilience, talent, and timeless music. Known for her smash hits like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "I'm Sorry," Brenda broke barriers in both country and pop music, earning her place in multiple music halls of fame. But behind the chart-toppers lies a story of determination and a relentless drive to succeed. Join us as we explore her rise to stardom, her impact on the music industry, and the personal challenges she overcame along the way. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering her music, this episode is a heartfelt tribute to the enduring legacy of "Little Miss Dynamite." Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Rita Moreno is an absolute living legend who is celebrating her 93rd birthday and about eight decades in Hollywood. She came to New York with her mom from Puerto Rico when she was five years old. She got started in dance classes at age nine and started her career in the entertainment industry quickly thereafter.  She's been in so many classic movies, like The King and I, Singin' in the Rain, and West Side Story. She was the first Latina to win an Oscar. She became the second woman and third person to win an EGOT. A year later, she won a second Emmy for her work on The Rockford Files.  Rita has done countless guest appearances, was a lead in a bunch of TV shows, but what our Millennial hearts will care about the most is that she provided the voice of the title character in the PBS Series, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?. A tribute Barbie of her was just released based on her look that she wore when she won an Oscar in 1962.To this day, she is one of the busiest stars in show business. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Alice H. Parker was an African American inventor whose ingenuity forever changed how we keep our homes warm.  Born in 1895, Parker defied societal norms of her time to secure a college education and patent her innovative central heating system design in 1919. Her visionary use of natural gas to distribute heat efficiently was a revolutionary concept that laid the groundwork for modern heating systems, making homes safer and more comfortable. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Gertrude "Trudy" Ederlethe made history by becoming the first female swimmer to cross the English Channel in 1926. Nicknamed "Queen of the Waves," Trudy didn’t just break records; she smashed stereotypes about what women could achieve in sports at a time when they were told to sit on the sidelines. We’ll chat about her early days in New York, her Olympic success, and the setbacks she overcame to pull off her iconic swim. Plus, we’ll touch on her life after swimming, including how she became an advocate for the hearing impaired. Trudy’s story is all about grit, ambition, and making waves (literally and figuratively). Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Elizabeth "Dolly" Shepherd was a pioneering parachutist and daredevil in the early 20th century. From her humble beginnings as a teenager with dreams bigger than the Edwardian era allowed, to her breathtaking feats of bravery in the skies, Dolly's story is one of fearless ambition and resilience. But her courage wasn’t confined to the clouds. During World War I, Dolly took her fearless spirit to the road as an army chauffeur, driving heavy vehicles and ambulances for wounded soldiers - a role that broke barriers and redefined women’s contributions during wartime. We explore her groundbreaking career as a "parachute girl," the heart-stopping accident that nearly ended her life, her remarkable recovery, and her wartime service that further cemented her legacy as a trailblazer. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Rosalind Franklin was a brilliant yet underappreciated scientist whose work was instrumental in one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century - the discovery of the DNA double helix. Often overshadowed in the history books, Rosalind’s meticulous research in X-ray crystallography paved the way for the understanding of DNA’s structure, yet her contributions went largely uncredited during her lifetime. We explore Rosalind’s journey from her early education in England to her groundbreaking work at King’s College London. We’ll discuss her pivotal Photograph 51, which revealed the DNA double helix’s structure and the circumstances around how her data was shared without her consent. We’ll also highlight her character, scientific rigor, and resilience in a male-dominated field, as well as her impactful work on the structures of viruses before her untimely death. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]  

Step into the shadowy world of Maila Nurmi, better known as Vampira, the iconic horror hostess who took 1950s Hollywood by storm. In this episode, we unravel the life and legacy of the woman behind the character, from her Finnish immigrant roots to her meteoric rise as one of TV’s first gothic stars. Discover how Maila’s dark, witty persona captivated audiences and helped shape horror culture. We’ll explore her relationships with famous figures like James Dean, her groundbreaking yet tumultuous TV career, and her lasting influence on the horror genre. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Cassandra Peterson, better known as Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, came from humble beginnings in small-town Kansas to the reigning queen of Halloween. Cassandra's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and daring to be different. We explore her early aspirations of stardom, her unexpected path to Hollywood, and the bold creation of Elvira—a campy, gothic, and delightfully irreverent character who became a pop culture sensation. With behind-the-scenes anecdotes and reflections on her groundbreaking work, we’ll uncover how Cassandra turned Elvira into an enduring icon who has inspired fans for over four decades. Whether she was hosting late-night horror flicks, leading comic books, or starring in cult classic films, Cassandra’s wit and unapologetic style kept audiences coming back for more. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]