HERSTORY MONTHLY
The Objective of This Inquiry
This project is my way of paying closer attention to how women appear in the historical record, and how often they are pushed to the margins or left out entirely. I’m interested in who gets remembered, who doesn’t, and what those choices say about power, memory, and the stories we learn. By pairing traditional history with modern examples and current events, I’m trying to build a more honest, layered picture of the past and the present.
Selected Monthly Features & Historical Research
Amanirenas
Amanirenas, the powerful queen of the Kingdom of Kush, led her people in resisting Roman expansion after Rome conquered Egypt, proving that the Roman Empire was not able to conquer every civilization it encountered. Through continued resistance and successful negotiations, Kush remained independent, highlighting the strength of ancient African kingdoms and the important leadership role women could hold in societies like Kush.
Alice Guy-Blaché
Alice Guy-Blaché was a pioneering French filmmaker who helped transform early motion pictures from simple recordings of real life into a storytelling art form, becoming one of the first directors of fictional films and one of the earliest leaders in the film industry. Despite making hundreds of innovative films, experimenting with new technology, and founding a major studio, her contributions were largely forgotten for many years before historians restored her place as one of the most important figures in the history of cinema.
Joy Buolamwini
Joy Buolamwini is a computer scientist and activist who discovered that some facial recognition systems were less accurate for darker-skinned women, leading her to research and expose bias in artificial intelligence. Through her studies, the Algorithmic Justice League, and public advocacy, she helped spark global discussions about making AI systems fairer, more accountable, and less discriminatory.
About the Author
Alana Carpio is a high school student whose academic pursuits are driven by a profound interest in historical documentation. With a focus on the narratives of women frequently omitted from traditional curricula, she utilizes this platform as a systematic medium for exploring and categorizing archival records. Her work reflects a commitment to sharing these overlooked stories through a disciplined, student-academic lens, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of our collective memory.