Our Missouri Podcast

This episode focuses on the life of Voda "Bea" Hardy Curtis, and documents the path of her family from slavery to suffrage. The episode also features audio clips from Voda Curtis' 1977 oral history (S0829) housed at the State Historical Society of Missouri's St. Louis Research Center, as well as final thoughts from past oral history interns–Cydney Smith, Cassie Draudt, and Keely Doll–who conducted research on Voda Curtis' life.

In this episode, host Sean Rost introduces listeners to the life and legacy of John A. Lankford. Born in Potosi, Missouri, in 1874, Lankford achieved immense fame as one of the most celebrated architects of his generation. Listen here to learn about Lankford's journey from Potosi to Washington D.C., along the banks of the Potomac River.

Episode Image: Forge Room at Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri, ca. 1903 [Lincoln University Photographs (P1096), SHSMO]

In 2021, the State Historical Society of Missouri was awarded an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant through the National Endowment for the Humanities and Missouri Humanities for a project titled “African American Heritage in the Ozarks.” Over fifteen months, staff at SHSMO identified and compiled an extensive list of primary and secondary sources related to African American life in the region, provided public programming in numerous Ozarks communities, developed physical and digital exhibits, and conducted more than two dozen oral histories preserving the voices and memories of the

To conclude the Title IX in Missouri series, host Sean Rost talks with four journalists, Kathryn Lucchesi, Maddy Glab, Lauren Michelson, and Dani Wexelman, about the evolution of sports journalism in the 21st Century.

Episode Image: Radio interview between Mary Margaret McBride and Goldena Howard, Columbia, Missouri, date unknown [Mary Kathy Dains Photographs (P0300), SHSMO]

Banner Image: Women in the grandstand at Rollins Field, Columbia, Missouri, ca. 1913 [University of Missouri School of Journalism Scrapbook (P0162), SHSMO]

The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) had a lasting impact on countless Missourians, even though it was only in existence for roughly a decade during the 1970s and early 1980s. In the latest Our Missouri Podcast episode, learn about the legacy of the AIAW and listen to oral history interviewees from the Missouri Sports & Recreation oral History Project (C4377) discuss their memories of the first few crucial years of Title IX and the AIAW.

In this episode, host Sean Rost takes listeners into the stacks to learn about some of the State Historical Society of Missouri's collections that highlight athletics and recreation in the state of Missouri, particularly related to the evolution of opportunities for girls and women in the 20th Century.

Episode & Banner Image: Girls Gym Demonstration at Northside Branch Gymnasium in St. Louis, Missouri, 1960 [Gateway Region Young Men’s Christian Association Records (S0473), SHSMO]

The lessons learned in Hartville in Wright County impacted Dr. Mary Jo Wynn for the rest of her life. In this episode, host Sean Rost, as well as several participants in the Missouri Sports & Recreation Oral History Project, highlight key moments in Wynn's hall of fame career, including her efforts to expand educational and athletic opportunities for women far beyond the campus of Missouri State University.

Episode Image: Dr. Mary Jo Wynn, SMSU Sports Report, December-January 1978-1979 [Courtesy of Linda Dollar]

In this episode, host Sean Rost highlights some of the 1930s and 1940s barnstorming women's basketball teams and players from Missouri, and introduces listeners to Wisconsinite Helen Onson, a former player for several of these teams whose papers and oral history are at the State Historical Society of Missouri.

For a link for the "Out of the Stacks" On Demand program referenced in the episode, check out: https://shsmo.org/on-demand/out-of-the-stacks 

To compete or not to compete—that was the question educators and athletes debated nationwide between the 1920s-1970s. In the latest Our Missouri episode, learn about how Play Days in Missouri fit into this debate on athletic opportunities for women.

Episode & Banner Image: Volleyball game at Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Missouri, 1969 [Francis Scheidegger Collection (S0809), SHSMO]

In this episode, host Sean Rost opens the Title IX in Missouri series with an overview of the early history behind the landmark legislation, and introduces listeners to some of the athletes, coaches, and administrators featured in the Missouri Sports & Recreation Oral History Project.

Episode & Banner Image: Girls playing soccer at North Junior High School in Kirkwood, Missouri, 1962 [Francis Scheidegger Collection (S0809), SHSMO]