May 10, 1995 - Episode 285 - Women of Achievement and Herstory

      "Hi there...I've been lurking on soc.feminism for several months 
now, and I wanted to let you know that I enjoy your WOA and 
Catt's Claws features immensely ... you were asking about (women of)
Asian, African and South American origin.  
      "Currently, I'm working on an MA degree in Mongolian history
&  religion.  I also have a background in Japanese and Korean
history (herstory being sadly underresearched in Asia).  If you're
interested, I can start passing along some names and info for you.
Unfortunately, exact dates are few and far between, and often not
even correct.  
      "But anyway, for starters...
      "Chagur: A Kereit Turk, wife of Chinggis Qan's oldest son,
Jochi.  Mother of the founder of the Golden Horde, Batu.  Along  with
her sister, Sorqaqtani ( wife of Chinggis Khan's youngest son, Tolui)
she manipulated Mongol politics for thirty years.   These two women
are generally considered responsible for the  death of at least two
Mongol leaders, Guyuk Qan (1248) and Tolui (1232), by poison.  The
second was actually an attempt to poison  the reigning Qan, Ogodei. 
Sorqaqtani was the mother of one of  the most famous Mongol Qans,
Qubilai.
      "Torogene: Regent over the Mongol Empire after the death of
her husband, Ogodei Qan (1242).  She was responsible for all political 
decisions, the succession itself, and the state funeral of Ogodei Qan,
according to contemporary Mongol tradition.  Manipulated the 
succession in favor of her son, Guyuk.
      "Ogal Gaimish:  Regent over the Mongol Empire after the death
of her husband, Guyuk Qan (1248).  Managed to rule the Mongols for 
approximately two years until she was overthrown by Mongke 
(1250/1).  In addition to being regent, she was considered an 
extremely powerful shaman.
      "If you're interested, I can keep rooting around ... "
-- L. I. Rapkin
-- Indiana University Department of Central Eurasian Studies 
      WOA-->> Oh YES, I'm interested.  Not even *I* thought about
women of accomplishment in Mongolian history - and me of Magyar
descent ... but that goes to show you how thoroughly we are
brainwashed into not even *considering* women in area where
herstory is underresearched, as you said, and only HIStory exists. 

May 10, 0000 Anniversaries ...............................................

      B. May 10, 1800, Sarah Anne Worthington Peter, responsible for
bringing several Catholic sisterhoods to Cincinnati, was a nurse
during the Civil War in spite of being more than 60 years old at the
time.  Established a Civil War orphanage.  She was a renowned
intellect and translated several French religious works.

      B. 05-04-1904, Irene Silva de Santolalla, first woman elected to
Peruvian Senate (1956), active suffragist. Women finally gained
enfranchisement in Peru 09-07-1955.  Internationally recognized
expert on family education, founded (1952) the Preparation for Marital
and Family Life school. 

      B. May 10, 1919, Ella T. Grasso, Governor of Connecticut, 1975-
80, US Representative 1971-75.  Secretary of State, Connecticut 1958-
1970.  First woman to be elected governor of any state without
succeeding her husband.  Her predecessor's budget deficit was
overcome within her first term.

Quote du jour ...............................................

      "(I) asked for it? ASKED FOR IT?  All I've asked for -- ever --
is the freedom to walk on the beach, on the subway, on the
staircase, on the dock.  What I ask for is the freedom to be touched
when I say yes and not to be touched when I say no."
      -- Joan Tayler writing in _Asking for It. New York: Congdon &
Lattes. 1980.  The story of rape. 

      ...............................................

      We thank Hari N. Chengalath and Madonna Narvaez for their
donations toward defraying of the April online expenses for the
posting of Women of Achievement and Herstory and Catt's Claws. 

(C) 1995 Irene Stuber, PO Box 6185, Hot Springs National Park, AR
71902, irenestuber@delphi.com. Distribute verbatim copies freely with
copyright notice for non-profit use. Don't let anyone tell you there
weren't notable and effective women throughout history.  They were
always there, but historians failed to note them in our histories so
that each generation of women has had to reinvent themselves.