Episode 386: Hoes of History: Lota Cheek

You know her as the woman who sewed the first American flag. But how much do we actually know about Betsy Ross? Born Elizabeth Griscom in colonial Philadelphia, Betsy Ross was a skilled upholsterer navigating a world shaped by revolution, religious expectations, and a whole lot of rules for women. Her story has become woven into American history, but the famous tale of her creating the first American flag is far more complicated than the version we learned in school. In this episode, we explore Betsy's life, her marriages, her business, and the legend that made her a patriotic icon. Did she really sew the first flag for George Washington? Or did a story told by her descendants become one of America's most enduring historical myths? Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Lota Cheek is a woman remembered as one of the prettiest women of her time. But there's more to her story than just her beauty! From her colorful romantic life and multiple marriages to the fascinating people she encountered along the way, Lota's story is full of twists, turns, and intriguing details. Join us as we explore the life of a woman whose beauty made her memorable and whose personal life makes her story worth uncovering. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

Beatrix Potter was far more than the creator of Peter Rabbit. Born into a wealthy Victorian family, she grew up isolated from other children and found companionship in animals, which became the inspiration for the imaginative worlds she created. Her artistic talent eventually led to the publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, but Potter's life took a remarkable turn beyond her books and illustrations. Explore her unconventional path from beloved children's author and illustrator to farmer, conservationist, and champion of the English countryside. From heartbreak and independence to her life in the Lake District and her dedication to preserving the land she loved, Beatrix Potter built a life that was very much her own. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: [email protected]

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]