Women in History

Katie Pickles (Chair: Marie Connolly)

How do we write about women’s past lives? Fascinating patterns underpin the creation of heroines in history. Exploring archetypal themes of mother, warrior, callings, cross-dressing, death and disability, feminism and glamour reveals common constructions of a feminine suffix. Contrary to promoting women’s liberation and freedom, the construction of heroines in history continues to look to the past and constrain how women’s stories are told.