Cora Reynolds Anderson was a quiet trailblazer whose legacy reshaped Michigan's political landscape, even if her name isn't widely known today. Born in 1882 in Baraga County, she was of Ojibwe descent and grew up deeply connected to her community and culture at a time when Native voices were largely excluded from public life. That didn't stop her from stepping into history.

In 1924, Cora became the first Native American woman elected to a state legislature in the United States, serving in the Michigan House of Representatives. Long before Native Americans were granted full citizenship rights nationwide, she used her position to advocate for her community, championing issues like public health, education, and the welfare of Indigenous people. She worked to address the tuberculosis crisis affecting Native populations and pushed for better resources and representation, all while navigating a political system that wasn't built for her voice.

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In 1948, a quiet 11-year-old girl from New Jersey made a small mistake that would change her life forever. What followed was not just a crime—it was a prolonged nightmare that exposed the vulnerabilities of children in plain sight.

We uncover the haunting story of Sally Horner, a young girl abducted by a man posing as a figure of authority, who manipulated fear and trust to keep her captive for nearly two years. As we trace Sally's journey across state lines, we explore how she survived, the moments she nearly escaped, and the resilience she showed under unimaginable circumstances.

But Sally's story doesn't end with her rescue. We also examine the aftermath—how her life was shaped by trauma, how the media portrayed her, and the ways her story has been referenced (and sometimes misunderstood) in popular culture.

This is not just a story about a crime—it's about a system that failed, a child who endured, and a history that deserves to be remembered with care and clarity.

Listener discretion is advised.

Pearl de Vere was more than the most famous madam in Cripple Creek, Colorado—she was a woman who built power, mystery, and independence in a world that offered women very little of it.

We step into the glittering, gritty world of the late 1800s American West to uncover the life of Pearl de Vere, the enigmatic owner of the luxurious Old Homestead House. Known for her beauty, intelligence, and strict rules, Pearl ran one of the most refined brothels in the region—where wealthy miners and elite visitors paid top dollar not just for companionship, but for an experience wrapped in elegance and secrecy.

But Pearl's story is more than velvet curtains and whispered deals. It's a story of reinvention. Of a woman who may have fled a troubled past—possibly leaving behind a husband and child—to create a new identity on her own terms. At a time when women were expected to be silent and subservient, Pearl carved out authority, wealth, and influence in one of the most unlikely places.

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Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance

Send us a Hoe of History request: homancepodcast@gmail.com