Piece image

Victoria Woodhull: The First Woman to Run for President

From: Radio Diaries
Series: Contenders
Length: 07:18

In the 19th century, Victoria Woodhull was many things: a clairvoyant, a businesswoman, an advocate for women’s rights and sexual freedom, and a magnet for media attention and scandal. Her 1872 campaign for president came at a time when most women did not even have the right to vote. This story is part of the series "Contenders," portraits of some of America's most original presidential candidates. Produced by Radio Diaries (radiodiaries.org). Read the full description.

Victoria-woodhull_001_l_small In the 19th century, Victoria Woodhull was many things: a clairvoyant, a businesswoman, an advocate for women’s rights and sexual freedom, and a magnet for media attention and scandal. Her 1872 campaign for president came at a time when most women did not even have the right to vote. This story is part of the series "Contenders," portraits of some of America's most original presidential candidates. Produced by Radio Diaries (radiodiaries.org).

To hear the full audio, sign up for a free PRX account or log in.

More from Radio Diaries

Piece image

William Jennings Bryan: The Speech That Changed Politics (07:11)
From: Radio Diaries

At the 1896 Democratic Convention, Bryan gave a speech that electrified his party and won him the nomination. His “Cross of Gold” speech is known today as one of the most ...
Piece image

Gracie Allen: The Joke That Became a Campaign (05:12)
From: Radio Diaries

In 1940 the United States was just emerging from the shadow of the Great Depression and war loomed in Europe. Into these serious times stepped Gracie Allen, part of the ...
Piece image

The “Veep” (07:25)
From: Radio Diaries

Alben Barkley served in Congress for close to 40 years and was Harry Truman’s vice president from 1948-1952. Though he wanted to be President himself, Barkley never made it ...
Piece image

Adlai Stevenson: A Candidate in the Age of Television (07:36)
From: Radio Diaries

The 1952 presidential campaign pitted the immensely popular General Dwight D. Eisenhower against the ferociously intellectual and intensely private Adlai Stevenson. It was an ...
Piece image

Margaret Chase Smith: Cold Warrior in Pearls (07:38)
From: Radio Diaries

In 1964, Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman from a major party to run for President. The Republican Senator ran as a staunch hawk and expert on national defense ...
Piece image

Shirley Chisholm: The Politics of Principle (07:37)
From: Radio Diaries

In 1972, Shirley Chisholm launched a spirited campaign for the Democratic nomination. She was the first woman and first African American to run. Declaring herself “unbossed ...
Caption: Amanda in 2013, Credit: David Gilkey/NPR

Teenage Diaries Revisited: Amanda (17:32)
From: Radio Diaries

At the age of 17, Amanda knew she was gay. But her parents kept insisting she’d grow out of it. Today, a lot has changed in the country, and within her own family. 16 years ...
Piece image

Miss Subways (14:15)
From: Radio Diaries

Beauty pageants promote the fantasy of the ideal woman. But for 35 years, the Miss Subways contest in New York City celebrated the everyday working girl.
Piece image

Segregation Now, Segregation Forever: The Infamous Words of George Wallace (16:46)
From: Radio Diaries

On the 50th anniversary of Wallace’s inaugural speech as the Governor of Alabama, Radio Diaries tells the story behind those infamous words, and the man who delivered them.
Piece image

The Two Lives of Asa Carter (12:42)
From: Radio Diaries

Asa Carter and Forrest Carter couldn’t have been more different. But they shared a secret.

Piece Description

In the 19th century, Victoria Woodhull was many things: a clairvoyant, a businesswoman, an advocate for women’s rights and sexual freedom, and a magnet for media attention and scandal. Her 1872 campaign for president came at a time when most women did not even have the right to vote. This story is part of the series "Contenders," portraits of some of America's most original presidential candidates. Produced by Radio Diaries (radiodiaries.org).

Additional Credits

This story is part of the series "Contenders," portraits of America's most original presidential candidates. The story was produced by Joe Richman and Samara (suh-MAR-ah) Freemark of Radio Diaries (radiodiaries.org).

Related Website

http://www.radiodiaries.org/victoria-woodhull-the-first-woman-to-run-for-president/