EP 11 Mama Soweto: Ellen Kuzwayo & Grammar of Resistance | Women And Resistance

EP 5 Josephine Baker - The Black Pearl Who Refused to Bow | Women And Resistance

This conversation delves into the life and legacy of Josephine Baker, exploring her journey from a challenging upbringing in St. Louis to becoming a cultural icon in France. The discussion highlights her struggles with racism, her reinventions, and her impact on art and activism. Baker's story is a testament to resilience, identity, and the complexities of fame, as she navigated societal expectations and used her platform for political engagement. In this conversation, Josephine Baker reflects on her extraordinary life, from her groundbreaking return to Broadway as the first black woman billed above the title to her significant role as a spy during World War II. She discusses her experiences in France, her post-war humanitarian efforts, and the challenges of raising a diverse family. Baker also addresses controversies surrounding her critiques of societal issues and her legacy as a cultural icon. Her story is one of resilience, identity, and the pursuit of freedom. Aya and Adesoji unpack all of this through an Afrocentric and resistance-centred lens — exploring the diaspora politics, colonial gaze, and radical self-determination at the heart of Baker's extraordinary life. Takeaways *Josephine Baker's life exemplifies the struggle for liberation and identity. *She faced significant racism and discrimination throughout her life. *Baker's journey from St. Louis to Paris marked her rise to fame. *Her performances challenged societal norms and expectations. *Baker's legacy continues to inspire discussions on race and identity. *She was a pioneer in using her art for political engagement. *Baker's reinventions reflect the complexities of her identity. *Her story highlights the intersection of art and activism. *Baker's influence extends beyond her lifetime, impacting future generations. *The duality of her fame reveals the challenges faced by black artists. *Josephine Baker was the first black woman on a major Broadway marquee. *She renounced her US citizenship to live in France. *Baker served as a sub-lieutenant in the French Air Force intelligence during WWII. *She faced numerous personal tragedies, including multiple miscarriages. *Baker sold her jewellery to support starving people after the war. *She aimed to create a model of brotherhood with her Rainbow Tribe. *Baker's critiques of societal issues led to accusations of anti-Semitism. *She spoke at the March on Washington before Dr Martin Luther King. *Baker was honoured with a military funeral in France. *She became the first black woman buried among France's immortals. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Josephine Baker's Legacy 03:03 Josephine Baker: The Artist and Her Journey 05:58 Reinvention and Identity 09:04 Early Life and Struggles 11:58 The Impact of Racism and Violence 15:08 The Move to France and Fame 17:52 The Rise to Stardom 21:05 Cultural Symbolism and Identity 24:11 The Complexity of Fame 26:53 Josephine Baker's Influence and Legacy 30:07 Reflections on Race and Identity 32:55 The Duality of Fame and Struggle 36:03 Josephine Baker's Political Engagement 39:07 The Legacy of Josephine Baker 41:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 43:53 The Return to America and Disillusionment 46:00 Life in France and Espionage During WWII 51:03 The Role of a Spy and Contributions to the Resistance 54:08 Post-War Life and Humanitarian Efforts 58:01 The Rainbow Tribe and Family Dynamics 60:54 Controversies and Critiques 62:55 Legacy and Recognition 66:12 Reflections on Life and Identity Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448293/fan_mail/new] Welcome  to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla... You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation. That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!

EP 4 Mary Fields - Freedom Personified | Women And Resistance

This episode features the inspiring story of Mary Fields, also known as Stagecoach Mary, an African American woman born enslaved who became a legendary mail carrier in Montana. She defied racial and gender barriers, showcasing resilience, loyalty, and strength in the face of adversity. Takeaways *Mary Fields' early life and slavery in Tennessee *Her journey to Montana and life on the frontier *Her role as the first African American woman mail carrier *Her relationships with Native Americans and white communities *Her defiance of gender and racial norms Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mary Fields 01:11 Mary Fields: A Life of Resilience 03:34 From Enslavement to Freedom 08:15 Friendship Across Boundaries 13:00 Challenges in the Wild West 16:23 Becoming Stagecoach Mary 24:16 Trailblazing as a Mail Carrier 26:24 The Commitment to Delivering Mail 28:11 The Importance of Community and Connection 29:43 Resilience and Overcoming Adversity 30:38 Building a Life and Community 32:32 Reflections on Identity and Humanity 34:16 Legacy and Impact 40:21 Understanding Historical Contexts 44:06 The Complexity of Freedom and Oppression 47:32 Empowering Future Generations Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448293/fan_mail/new] Welcome  to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla... You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation. That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!

EP 3 Elizabeth of Tooro - The Odyssey of a Princess | Women And Resistance

She was a princess, a Cambridge-trained lawyer, the first Black woman on the pages of Harper's Bazaar, a foreign minister under one of Africa's most feared dictators — and she said NO when that dictator demanded she marry him. This week on Women and Resistance, we tell the full, extraordinary, and largely untold story of Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya Akiiki of Tooro. Born in 1936 into the ancient Tooro Kingdom of what is now Uganda, Princess Elizabeth navigated colonial education systems, broke racial barriers at Cambridge and Gray's Inn, survived Idi Amin's regime, fled into exile disguised as a village girl, won landmark libel cases in the British press, walked the runways of New York and London as one of the world's first Black supermodels, and returned home to serve her continent as a diplomat and guardian of her people's culture. Her life is not just a biography — it is a thesis on what African women's resistance looks like across decades of colonial erasure, post-independence political upheaval, patriarchal power, and the relentless weaponisation of beauty against Black excellence. This in-depth conversation with Elizabeth of Toro, a Ugandan princess, lawyer, and diplomat, shares her extraordinary life story, cultural heritage, and insights on African history, colonialism, and resilience. Takeaways *History of Toro Kingdom and African kingdoms *Colonialism and its impact on Africa *The role of women in African leadership and resistance *Personal journey of Elizabeth of Toro from princess to diplomat *Cultural preservation and revival in Africa Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Princess Elizabeth of Toro 01:39 Growing Up in the Kingdom of Toro 04:28 Cultural Heritage and Identity 08:24 Education and Challenges Abroad 13:44 Historical Context of the Kingdom of Toro 19:30 Colonial Influences and Transformations 28:21 The Role of Women in Leadership 35:16 Reflections on Independence and Legacy 36:19 The Impact of Colonialism on Traditional Societies 38:45 Navigating Exile and Identity 41:47 Modelling as a Means of Survival 43:47 The Rise and Fall of Political Power 47:15 The Role of Women in Politics 52:34 Facing Adversity and Resilience 57:27 Love and Loss in Turbulent Times 01:00:49 Restoration and Legacy 01:03:14 Lessons in Identity and Courage Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448293/fan_mail/new] Welcome  to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla... You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation. That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!

EP 2 Monemia McKoy - A Mother's War | Women And Resistance

This is a story about Black motherhood as resistance. About the legal limits of so-called “freedom.” About the Freedmen’s Bureau — what it promised, what it delivered, and where it catastrophically failed. And it’s about the unbroken thread that runs from Monemia McKoy to Mamie Till-Mobley to Sybrina Fulton to every Black mother who has ever had to fight for the right to simply keep her child. In This Episode *Who Monemia McKoy was — and why her name deserves to be spoken alongside the great resisters of history *The sale and commodification of conjoined twins Millie and Christine from infancy  *Monemia’s transatlantic journey to reclaim her children from England *The 1865 Freedmen’s Bureau custody trial — what Jacob and Monemia did right, and how the system still failed them *The shrewd legal strategy behind the McCoy-drafted contract with Ladd & Cartwright *The chilling reversal by Bureau agent Clinton Cilley — and what it reveals about Reconstruction justice *The legacy of Black motherhood as a political act across centuries Takeaways *The story of Monemia McCoy and her conjoined twin daughters *The impact of slavery and racial capitalism on Black families *The resilience and activism of Millie and Chrissy McCoy *The fight for dignity and recognition beyond exploitation *The importance of preserving and telling Black history from Black perspectives Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Story of Monemia McCoy 03:13 The Birth of the Conjoined Twins 07:23 The Sale and Exploitation of the Twins 11:11 The Journey to England and Legal Battles 15:27 Reunion and Life After 21:05 The Unique Bond of Co-joined Twins 23:11 Life as Performers and Their Artistic Journey 28:50 Emancipation and Taking Control of Their Lives 32:13 Defining Their Identity Beyond Spectacle 36:44 Legacy and Philanthropy in Their Community 40:16 Facing Mortality and Final Reflections Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448293/fan_mail/new] Welcome  to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla... You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation. That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!

EP 1 Mbokomu - She Who Troubles Heaven | Women And Resistance

Mbokomu, the Ancestor Goddess of the Ngombe What if the first woman on Earth wasn’t a passive creation — but a divine disruptor? What if she were sent down not because she was weak, but because she was too powerful to be contained? This week on Women and Resistance, hosts Aya Fubara Eneli Esq. and Adesoji Iginla dive deep into one of Central Africa’s most captivating and under-explored mythological figures: Mbokomu, the ancestor goddess of the Ngombe people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Daughter of the supreme creator god Akongo, the first gardener, the mother of all humanity — and, depending on who you ask, the reason time itself sometimes slows to a crawl. In this enlightening episode, Mbokomu shares profound African creation stories, emphasising the importance of remembering our roots, cultivating harmony, and understanding our spiritual connection to the universe.  Through rich narratives from the Congo and Yoruba traditions, listeners are invited to reconnect with ancestral wisdom and embrace their role in nurturing life. We unpack the Ngombe creation myth and ask the questions that Western scholarship often doesn’t: What does it mean that the origin of humanity in this tradition is a woman who caused problems? How do African cosmologies encode ideas of female agency, ecological sovereignty, and ancestral power? And what happens to those stories when colonialism arrives to burn the archive? From the Congo River basin to the mountains of Venus — yes, Venus — Mbokomu’s name echoes across centuries and galaxies. We also connect her story to the very real struggles of Congolese women today: from Maria N’koi’s 1915 insurrection against Belgian colonial rule, to the extraordinary courage of modern activists like Julienne Lusenge fighting sexual violence in the DRC. This is mythology as resistance. This is ancestry as armour.  Takeaways *African cosmology and creation stories *The role of Mbokomu as the first woman and gardener *The spiritual significance of rivers and water in African traditions *The story of Obatala and the creation of Earth in Yoruba mythology *The impact of colonisation on African oral traditions and knowledge *The importance of remembering and reconnecting with ancestral wisdom Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mbokomu's Legacy 01:44 The Essence of Creation and Nurturing Life 03:39 The Journey from Heaven to Earth 05:44 The First Garden and Humanity's Roots 07:45 Resilience and the Philosophy of Creation 09:49 The Impact of Displacement and Spiritual Exhaustion 11:50 The Role of Memory and Storytelling 13:56 African Cosmologies and Cultural Survival 16:14 The Importance of Understanding Our Origins 22:48 The Sky Kingdom and Olorun's Creation 24:07 Obatala's Quest for Purpose 26:00 The Descent to Earth 28:52 The Birth of Ife 31:21 Obatala's Creation of Humanity 34:36 The Role of the Chameleon and Divine Intervention 37:00 The Dogon People and Their Wisdom 41:22 Yurugu's Arrogance and the Consequences 47:58 The Seeds of Destruction 50:35 The Call to Remember and Reconnect Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448293/fan_mail/new] Welcome  to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla... You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation. That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!