The Women Who Built Hollywood - Hosted by the American Film Institute


In this talk, titled Out of Oblivion: The Women of Early 20th Century Los Angeles Dance, Dr. Alison D’Amato, a researcher, choreographer, and performer, guides us the history of women’s dance in Los Angeles, and those who shaped the scene as we know it.


Out of Oblivion: The Women of Early 20th Century Los Angeles Dance

What can a cape, a drawing, and a fountain reveal about Los Angeles and the women who shaped its history?

Listen-in as Ebell scholar-in-residence, Dr. Meredith Drake Reitan, shares her insights and discusses the upcoming "Objectified" video series, showcasing how seemingly ordinary items can illuminate extraordinary stories. Discover how these preserved pieces serve as powerful windows into the past, celebrating the resilience and creativity of women in Los Angeles.

"Objectified" Part 1 - Extraordinary Tales from Ordinary Objects at The Ebell‍

What can a cape, a drawing, and a fountain reveal about Los Angeles and the women who shaped its history?

Listen-in as Ebell scholar-in-residence, Dr. Meredith Drake Reitan, shares her insights and discusses the upcoming "Objectified" video series, showcasing how seemingly ordinary items can illuminate extraordinary stories. Discover how these preserved pieces serve as powerful windows into the past, celebrating the resilience and creativity of women in Los Angeles.


"Objectified" Part 2- Extraordinary Tales from Ordinary Objects at The Ebell‍

Listen in as historic preservationist Jenna Snow introduces us to Ms. Florence Schmidt, who along with her sister Mary Louise, influenced residential housing construction in Los Angeles for decades. As we listen in on stories from Florence’s diary from 1935, we get an insight on how the two sisters, limited in their opportunities by their gender, ran several successful businesses and carved space for themselves on the margins of a male-dominated industry. While Mary Louise Schmidt was the innovator behind their endeavors, Florence was the implementor.


Every Shero Needs A Sidekick

This episode was recorded live during the second, annual, "Women's History in LA Symposium", hosted by The Ebell Institute.


The Institute works on building and sharing knowledge of remarkable women of Los Angeles, whose contributions have been omitted from history books and ignored in public spheres. Along with esteemed keynote speakers, distinguished and graduate scholars provide enlightening presentations on various aspects of women’s history in Los Angeles. 


"Frescoes Uncovered" with Meredith Drake Reitan, Monica Jovanovich and  Kiernan Graves

This episode was recorded live during the second, annual, "Women's History in LA Symposium", hosted by The Ebell Institute.

The Institute works on building and sharing knowledge of remarkable women of Los Angeles, whose contributions have been omitted from history books and ignored in public spheres. Along with esteemed keynote speakers, distinguished and graduate scholars provide enlightening presentations on various aspects of women’s history in Los Angeles.

“Shining Stars of the Ebell” with Sloan De Forest and Sarah Clothier (American Film Institute)

"Visionary Leader, Modernist Matriarch: The Life of Jean Roth Driskel" with Heather Goers

Early Women Aviators & the First Women’s Air Derby of 1929 with Victoria Bernal

This episode was recorded live during the second, annual, "Women's History in LA Symposium", hosted by The Ebell Institute. The Institute works on building and sharing knowledge of remarkable women of Los Angeles, whose contributions have been omitted from history books and ignored in public spheres. Along with esteemed keynote speakers, distinguished and graduate scholars provide enlightening presentations on various aspects of women’s history in Los Angeles.

“Yetta Stromberg in ‘the land of orange groves and jails’” with Judy Branfman

Unsung Heroines: A Podcast for the Hidden Histories of LA Women, uncovers the untold stories of the trailblazing women who shaped Los Angeles into the dynamic city it is today. Each episode dives deep into their groundbreaking contributions to activism, art, and community-building, illuminating how their courage and vision transformed the cultural and social fabric of LA. Through captivating interviews and vivid historical accounts, Unsung Heroines brings these hidden legacies to life—ensuring these remarkable women are celebrated and their influence is never forgotten. Discover the vibrant history of LA through the voices and actions of its unsung heroines.

"Objectified" Part 2- Extraordinary Tales from Ordinary Objects at The Ebell‍

Unsung Heroines: The Hidden Histories of LA Women