Mind the Light: Stories From the Edge of History
Manage episode 509109111 series 3347839
Who kept the lights burning when storms raged, men died, and the sea threatened everything? More often than we realize, it was women—forgotten in the records, but essential to history.
In a riveting and deeply human episode, Shauna MacDonald—professor, performer, and cultural excavator—uncovers the overlooked stories of women lighthouse keepers.
Featured on PBS, NPR, and National Geographic, Shauna brings their silence into focus, revealing persistence without applause, labor without spotlight, and strength that endured whether or not anyone noticed.
It’s a story of women who lit the way when history turned its back- and of the scholars, writers, and keepers today who refuse to let their stories disappear. For Shauna, it’s about making sure their stories aren’t just remembered, but reimagined as part of the history we carry forward.
These women lit the coastlines. Shauna helps us see why their light still matters.
Today's episode is brought to you by the Joan of Arc Scroll Medal, a beautiful brass alloy medal, designed by award-winning artist, Pat Benincasa. This uniquely shaped medal is ideal for holiday or as a special occasion gift! Visit www.patbenincasa-art.com
Please Note: The views expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcaster.
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Chapters
1. Introduction to Fill Two Capacity (00:00:00)
2. Meeting Shauna McDonald: Lighthouse Researcher (00:01:34)
3. Discovering Women Lighthouse Keepers (00:03:35)
4. Overlooked Women's Stories in History (00:06:39)
5. Character and Qualities of Women Keepers (00:15:40)
6. Performance as Historical Embodiment (00:24:12)
7. Public Memory and Women's Legacy (00:33:08)
8. Book on Cultural Meaning of Lighthouses (00:40:20)
9. Legacy and Ongoing Relevance of Lighthouses (00:47:48)
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