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  • EP 2 Queen Nandi - When Motherhood Made an Empire | Women And Resistance

    EP 2 Queen Nandi - When Motherhood Made an Empire | Women And Resistance
    2026/08/30
    This episode of Women in Resistance features Adesoji Iginla in conversation with Queen Nandi, with Aya Fubara Eneli joining the introduction and framing. The discussion traces Nandi’s life from marginalisation and exile to her role as Queen Mother, centring the political, cultural, and personal costs of raising Shaka and resisting shame.We discuss how women are written out of history, how colonial and patriarchal narratives distort memory, and why revenge can become its own trap. Queen Nandi also reflects on motherhood, lineage, exile, and the long reach of cruelty and resilience across generations.Key topics*Queen Nandi explains how her story was “forgotten by most,” preserved by oral tradition, and often written by men and colonial observers.*She situates her origins in a minor clan near the Tugela and Mlatuse rivers, before the region was named Natal or South Africa.*Nandi describes how women’s labour in cattle-keeping societies built wealth that men inherited, while women were often reduced to footnotes.*She recounts the courtship tradition of ukulobanga and the social danger of pregnancy outside marriage in Zulu custom.*Nandi tells the contested story of her pregnancy with Senzangakhona, including the accusation that she had a parasite rather than a child.*She explains how the insult “shaka” became attached to her son’s name, and how that rejection shaped his early life.*Nandi describes exile, famine, and the repeated rejection she and Shaka faced from both husband and clan.*She frames giving birth to Shaka as her first act of resistance, especially in the face of attempts to discredit her.*The episode explores how Shaka’s childhood humiliation, violence, and instability may have influenced the ruler he became.*Nandi reflects on her later role as Queen Mother, her authority at court, and her influence over political relationships and royal alliances.*She discusses the consequences of her death, including Shaka’s grief, the nationwide mourning, and the fragility of power after her passing.*The conversation closes with a warning against revenge, except in the context of resisting colonisers, and a call to nurture children who have been rejected or shamed.Chapters(00:00) Opening the series on women in resistance(00:51) Introducing Queen Nandi and her significance in Zulu history(02:08) “My story has been forgotten” - oral history versus colonial writing(04:43) Born not as a queen, but as a daughter of a minor chief(07:12) A woman without a throne, an army, or even a home(09:12) Early life, cattle-keeping, and women’s labour in Zulu society(11:44) Ukulobanga and the customs around courtship and intimacy(13:12) Meeting Senzangakhona and the politics of male heirs(14:49) Competing stories about the pregnancy and public denial(18:37) Why an unmarried pregnancy was a catastrophe(19:15) The accusation of a “parasite” and protecting the royal house(22:26) Negotiating 55 cattle for marriage(24:17) Shaka is born and the meaning of his name(25:15) Being sent home to recover and nurse the child(27:19) Rival wives, succession anxiety, and exile(30:46) Shaka learns to fight and the healer’s prophecy(32:27) Leaving the Ilangeni and finding refuge with the Kwabe(33:49) “My first act of resistance” - giving birth to Shaka(35:08) How humiliation shaped Shaka’s discipline and violence(38:11) Grief, exile, and surviving the famine years(42:43) Shaka rises under Dingiswayo and military transformation begins(44:42) Succession after Senzangakhona’s death(46:10) Short-stabbing spear, regiments, and the building of a regional power(50:18) Queen Mother authority, rituals, and her own court(52:44) Politics at court and rival centres of influence(54:05) Shaka’s grief after her death and the nation-wide mourning(56:25) Why she protected Shaka despite everything(58:53) Death, colonial storytellers, and distorted histories(63:41) How Shaka’s military system shaped later Zulu resistance(65:24) “No name given by others ever contains a woman”(68:49) Revenge versus justice, and why revenge is a dead spiral(70:37) What present-day leaders can learn from the story of Shaka(74:38) A closing message for women, rejected children, and mothers(77:31) Final call to nurture the child the world rejectsSend us Fan MailWelcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla... You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation. That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and ...
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    48 分
  • EP 1 Sarah Rector - Land And the Will to Win | Women and Resistance

    EP 1 Sarah Rector - Land And the Will to Win | Women and Resistance
    2026/08/23
    This episode of Women in Resistance centers on Sarah Rector’s life story, from her birth in Indian Territory to the oil boom that made her a national curiosity. Sarah Rector and host Adesoji Iginla trace how race, law, land theft, and guardianship shaped her fortunes and the way her story was told. It matters because Rector’s experience shows how quickly wealth, Black childhood, and state control could collide in early 20th-century America.Takeaways*Sarah Rector introduces herself by correcting the record*She explains that the public mostly knows her as “the richest colored girl in the world,” but that label reduced her to a number rather than a person.*She pushes back on Hollywood versions of her life, including fabricated details and a white saviour narrative.*How a newspaper headline changed her life*Rector says the Kansas City Star’s 1913 reporting turned her into “$300 a day” and made her a public spectacle.*She describes letters from strangers who wanted to marry her, claim her money, or argue that she should not possess wealth at all.*Her family’s history in Indian Territory*Rector was born in 1902 in a two-room cabin near Taft, Oklahoma.*She explains that her family were Creek Freedmen and that their history included slavery under Creek and Muscogee people, complicating simplified stories about Native nations and slavery.*Land, allotment, and the Dawes Act*Rector’s 160-acre allotment in Glenpool was valued at only $550 and was burdened by taxes.*She frames the land as a burden before oil was discovered, not an early blessing.*The oil strike that made her wealthyChapters00:00 - Opening the episode and introducing Sarah Rector00:41 - Why Rector’s story matters and how the state took control01:52 - Rector on reclaiming her own story from Hollywood myths02:34 - The “$300 a day” headline and becoming a public spectacle04:19 - Letters, demands, and public obsession with her money05:28 - Birth in Taft, Oklahoma and her family background06:32 - Creek Freedmen, slavery, and the historical complication08:17 - Why neat stories about Native nations and slavery break down09:56 - The Trail of Tears, Andrew Jackson, and broken treaties11:53 - The 1866 treaty and Creek Freedmen citizenship13:35 - Dawes allotment and the break-up of communal land14:06 - Her 160-acre allotment in Glenpool15:15 - Taxes, poverty, and the land as a burden16:36 - Leased to oil before anyone knew its value18:24 - The spring 1913 gusher on her land20:00 - Monthly royalties and the scale of her wealth21:05 - Newspaper racism and “the richest Negro girl” framing22:39 - Why she could not legally control her money24:08 - Court-appointed guardianship and the risk of exploitation25:52 - W.E.B. Du Bois, the NAACP, and investigations into guardianship28:19 - Black child wealth, public fascination, and white greed30:21 - NAACP Children’s Department and oversight efforts31:09 - Judge Leahy and the demand for a square deal32:30 - The “honorary white” proposal and why it failed34:43 - Tuskegee, attempted kidnapping, and protection by students36:04 - Buying land and building a five-room cottage38:31 - The gap between the living woman and the legend39:26 - Biographies, family accounts, and correcting misinformation41:41 - Her fight to end guardianship in 192244:46 - Family relocation to Kansas City and Black prosperity46:12 - A court certifies her as mentally sound46:55 - Marriage to Kenneth Campbell and family life48:13 - The Rector Mansion, jazz, and Black elite life49:16 - Second marriage and business partnership50:13 - The Great Depression and the collapse of her fortune52:33 - Death in 1967 and the meaning of family wealth54:59 - Burial in Black Jack Cemetery near her roots56:32 - Final message on personhood and resisting dehumanisationSend us Fan MailWelcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla... You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation. That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!
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    51 分
  • Sheroes Who Refused to Disappear A Season Review | Women and Resistance

    Sheroes Who Refused to Disappear A Season Review | Women and Resistance
    2026/08/16

    In this episode, we explore the lives and legacies of remarkable women who defied odds, preserved their agency, and inspired future generations.

    From an assassinated leader to the mathematician behind GPS, from a Montana mail carrier to a mother's decades-long fight for her stolen daughters — this special Women and Resistance season review brings together extraordinary women whose resistance took different shapes.

    Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli, Esq. and Adesoji Iginla, this episode revisits the stories of the last season, asking what unites their radically different acts of refusal against erasure, ownership, and silence.

    Takeaways

    *The resilience and agency of women like Josephine Baker, Sylvia del Villa, and Gladys West.
    *The importance of intentional spaces for Black empowerment.
    *Lessons from women who faced systemic oppression and thrived.
    *The role of cultural preservation and storytelling in resistance.
    *The significance of intergenerational mentorship and legacy.

    Chapters

    0:01 — Welcome to Women in Resistance and episode overview
    2:03 — Looking back on the season and the pace of the work
    2:13 — How Aya transitions between women each week
    4:45 — The most memorable story: Millie and Christine McCoy
    8:36 — Favourite or most memorable episode this season
    12:27 — Erna Brodber and Sylvia del Villard as major inspirations
    14:45 — Gladys West and the everyday impact of her work
    15:40 — Why intentional black spaces matter
    20:13 — Does Aya ever stop or rest?
    23:22 — Which woman best reflects Aya’s activism
    25:24 — “Restorative knowledge” and why the series matters
    26:09 — Mbokomu and the power of black women building from nothing
    27:13 — Courage, agency, and lessons from the women covered
    29:39 — Favourite and least favourite costume of the season
    33:09 — Mary Fields as a standout character
    34:05 — Expanding on Josephine Baker
    36:52 — Gladys West and quiet excellence
    39:00 — Books, reading habits, and the bookshelf question
    42:37 — How many books they read in a week
    45:34 — Decompressing after going out of character
    47:48 — Nina Simone as one of the hardest to shake
    50:19 — The common thread across all the women
    54:51 — Owning your image as a strategy
    55:38 — The importance of memory keeping
    57:01 — What’s next: Sarah Rector and the new season
    57:33 — Final thoughts on freedom and presentation
    60:09 — Closing remarks and call to action

    Send us Fan Mail

    Welcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla...

    You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation.


    That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!
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    55 分
  • EP 12 Erna Brodber - She Rewrote Jamaica's Soul | Women and Resistance

    EP 12 Erna Brodber - She Rewrote Jamaica's Soul | Women and Resistance
    2026/08/09

    In this episode, Erna Brodber shares her journey from Jamaica to becoming a renowned writer and historian, emphasising the importance of community memory, cultural roots, and the creation of spaces for black liberation. She discusses her work in oral history, her novels, and the significance of reclaiming African and Caribbean histories.

    Brodber turned oral histories into tools that challenge Western frameworks of time, history, and psychology, including her Commonwealth Prize–winning novel Myal (1988) and Louisiana (1994).

    We trace her journey, culminating in her decision to leave the university and return home to serve her community.

    This is a conversation about resistance through orature.

    Takeaways

    *Erna Brodber's background and early life in Jamaica
    *The influence of community memory and oral traditions
    *Her approach to writing and blending sociology with fiction
    *The significance of cultural roots and African heritage
    *The concept of black spaces and ancestral gardens
    *The impact of colonialism and the metaphor of zombification
    *Her work in oral history and community projects
    *The importance of reclaiming and preserving history

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Erna Brodber's Work and Impact
    02:01 Her Background and Connection to Jamaica
    03:20 How Erna Brodber Started Writing
    07:36 The Dual Education: Formal and Community Learning
    14:33 Her Experience in the US and Return to Jamaica
    18:05 Oral History and Community Memory Projects
    22:42 From Oral Interviews to Fiction: Louisiana
    28:08 The Significance of African Roots and Spiritual Traditions
    32:58 Colonial Trauma and the Metaphor of Zombification
    40:17 Building Black Spaces and Community Resilience
    45:48 The Land as Memory: The Ancestral Gardens
    52:21 Reflections on Her Life and Legacy

    Send us Fan Mail

    Welcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla...

    You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation.


    That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!
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    59 分
  • EP 11 Gladys West - She Built GPS, Yet No One Knew Her Name | Women And Resistance

    EP 11 Gladys West - She Built GPS, Yet No One Knew Her Name | Women And Resistance
    2026/08/02

    Every time your phone finds your location, you're using math that a Black woman built in secret for four decades.

    This week on Women and Resistance, Aya Fubara Eneli, Esq. and Adesoji Iginla honour Dr Gladys Mae West, the mathematician whose satellite geodesy models became the mathematical backbone of the Global Positioning System.

    Her work wasn't publicly recognised for more than 60 years after she started.

    In this episode, Dr Gladys West shares her inspiring journey from a farm girl in Virginia to a pioneering mathematician whose work was crucial to the development of GPS technology. Her story highlights resilience, dedication, and the importance of recognising hidden figures in history.

    From her childhood on a Virginia farm to her groundbreaking career at the U.S Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Dr West shares how discipline, faith, education, and resilience carried her through segregation, loss, and long years of unrecognised labour.

    Takeaways

    *Gladys West's early life and education in Virginia
    *Her work on geoid modelling and GPS development
    *Challenges faced as a Black woman in STEM during segregation
    *The importance of perseverance and discipline in her career
    *Legacy and recognition of her contributions to technology

    Chapters

    *Introduction to Dr Gladys West's Legacy
    *Her Early Life in Virginia and Childhood Influences
    *Educational Journey and Overcoming Segregation
    *Joining the U.S. Naval Research and Early Work
    *The Development of Geoid Models and GPS Foundations
    *Challenges as a Black Woman in a Male-Dominated Field
    *Her Personal Life, Marriage, and Family
    *Recognition and Legacy of Dr Gladys West
    *Lessons on Dignity, Discipline, and Persistence

    Send us Fan Mail

    Welcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla...

    You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation.


    That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!
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    1 時間 2 分
  • EP 10 Agathe Uwilingiyimana - Don’t Talk to Me Like That! | Women and Resistance

    EP 10 Agathe Uwilingiyimana - Don’t Talk to Me Like That! | Women and Resistance
    2026/07/26

    She was a teacher who became Rwanda's first and, to this day, only woman prime minister.

    On this episode of Women and Resistance, Aya Fubara Eneli, Esq., embodies Agathe Uwilingiyimana in the first person, walking the host, Adesoji Iginla, through her rise from a village to the time she held constitutional power as Rwanda's acting head of state after President Habyarimana's assassination on 6 April 1994.

    In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Agathe Uwilingiyimana, Rwanda's first female Prime Minister, and her role in the country's history, including the tragic genocide.

    Her story highlights resilience, resistance, and the importance of understanding colonial and ethnic histories in Africa.

    Takeaways

    *The assassination of Rwanda's president and the start of the genocide
    *Agathe Uwilingiyimana's early life and rise to Prime Minister
    *Colonial history and racial theories in Rwanda
    *The ethnic categories imposed by colonisers and their impact
    *The role of media and propaganda in inciting violence
    *The international community's response to the genocide
    *Legacy of Agathe Uwilingiyimana and lessons for today

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and host introduction
    00:40 The recognition of Agathe Uwilingiyimana and Rwanda's history
    01:10 The assassination of the Rwandan president and the genocide
    01:58 The role of women in Africa and Agathe's early life
    03:02 Agathe's background and rise to Prime Minister
    04:06 The genocide begins: violence and propaganda
    04:54 The ethnic categories imposed by colonisers
    06:03 The scale of the genocide and its impact
    07:02 The colonial legacy and racial theories in Rwanda
    08:02 The political shifts leading to independence
    08:48 The civil war and refugee crises
    09:57 The media's role in inciting violence
    11:00 Agathe's leadership and resistance during the crisis
    12:02 The aftermath and legacy of Agathe Uwilingiyimana
    12:56 Lessons from Rwanda for Africa and the world

    Send us Fan Mail

    Welcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla...

    You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation.


    That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!
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    46 分
  • EP 9 Florynce "Flo" Kennedy - Lawyer and Liberator | Women And Resistance

    EP 9 Florynce "Flo" Kennedy - Lawyer and Liberator | Women And Resistance
    2026/07/20

    She sued her way into law school; let’s start there. Who, why, and where are the questions this week on Women and Resistance.

    This week, Aya Fubara Eneli, Esq., embodies Florynce "Flo" Kennedy while Adesoji Iginla interviews her across a life built on one refusal. We trace her Kansas City girlhood to Womanhood.

    In this captivating episode, we discover the fearless activism and powerful stories of Florence Kennedy, a trailblazing lawyer, feminist, and societal reformer. Kennedy’s unapologetic approach challenged norms and inspired generations to fight for justice.

    Main Topics:
    Kennedy’s early life and family influence, including her upbringing during the Great Depression
    Her activism against racial and gender injustice, including key protests and legal battles
    Fighting systemic oppression: from property law to the civil rights movement
    Her views on reproductive rights, body autonomy, and societal control
    The importance of fearless activism and media strategies to effect change
    Kennedy’s personal life, marriage, and her legacy in black feminism and civil rights

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction to Florence Kennedy's life and activism highlights
    00:15 - Kennedy’s childhood, family values, and early acts of defiance
    00:45 - Overcoming racial prejudices and joining the legal profession
    01:20 - Challenging institutional religion and political systems
    02:00 - Bold statements on sexuality, gender, and societal control
    03:10 - Kennedy’s activism against racial inequality, including boycotts and protests
    04:05 - Defending iconic figures like Billie Holiday and embodying resistance
    05:00 - Her pioneering legal career as a black woman in law
    06:15 - Her fight for reproductive rights and critique of societal expectations
    07:00 - The role of media activism and “media terrorism”
    08:00 - Formation of feminist and black organisations, like the Feminist Party
    09:30 - Personal anecdotes on marriage, health, and independence
    10:45 - Critical views on the legal and social systems controlling women’s bodies
    12:00 - Reflections on systemic oppression, community, and activism strategies
    13:30 - Kennedy’s call for higher aspirations and collective action
    14:50 - Closing remarks on legacy, influence, and what it takes to continue fighting

    Send us Fan Mail

    Welcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla...

    You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation.


    That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!
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    56 分
  • EP 8 Sylvia del Villard - Puerto Rico Said What? | Women And Resistance

    EP 8 Sylvia del Villard - Puerto Rico Said What? | Women And Resistance
    2026/07/12

    In this episode, Sylvia Del Villard shares her inspiring journey from Puerto Rico to international stages, emphasising the importance of cultural identity, resilience, and living authentically.

    Discover how her life and work challenge stereotypes and celebrate Afro-Puerto Rican heritage.

    Takeaways

    *Cultural identity and Afro-Puerto Rican heritage
    *Resilience and living authentically
    *The role of music and dance in cultural expression
    *Challenges of anti-blackness and discrimination
    *Personal growth and education across borders
    *The importance of storytelling and cultural preservation

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Women in Resistance
    00:53 The Cultural Significance of Puerto Rico
    05:00 Celebrating Identity and Heritage
    09:08 Lessons in Dignity from Paula
    13:09 Education and Activism in Tennessee
    18:08 Confronting Discrimination and Identity
    22:41 The Struggle for Wholeness
    22:47 Finding Home and Self-Discovery
    24:03 Education and Personal Growth
    25:06 The Power of Performance and Connection
    27:25 Cultural Identity and Resilience
    32:18 Artistic Journey and Community
    39:23 Motherhood and Legacy
    45:44 The Rhythm of Life and Activism

    Send us Fan Mail

    Welcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla...

    You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation.


    That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!
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    51 分