forgotten women – Tracy Cooper-Posey

Zenobia: The Queen Who Took On Rome and Almost Won

History remembers Cleopatra. It should remember Zenobia. While Rome staggered through one of the most chaotic periods in its history, the Queen of Palmyra seized the opportunity to build an empire of her own. Through military brilliance, political savvy, and a masterful understanding of reputation, she conquered vast territories and came astonishingly close to permanently splitting the Roman Empire. For a brief moment, the outcome of history was genuinely uncertain.

The Real Ladies of Waterloo Bridge

6 Comments / Historical Stuff / September 7, 2025 / feminist history, feminist perspective, forgotten women, hidden history, historical inspiration, historical women, London history, MidJourney art, romance blog, underpaid labor, wartime women, Waterloo Bridge, women builders, women in history, WWII / 3 minutes of reading

During World War II, more than 350 women rebuilt Waterloo Bridge—welding and riveting under blackout skies while bombs fell overhead. They were paid less than men, naturally (insert eye-roll), and when the war ended, their names quietly vanished from the official record. It took decades and a few forgotten photographs to uncover the truth: the Ladies’ Bridge wasn’t just a nickname. It was fact. And like so many stories of women in history, it was nearly erased.

The Real Ladies of Waterloo Bridge Read More »