Stuff You Missed in History Class: Behind the Scenes Minis – Learned Women and Sharkey

Released on August 15, 2025 by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the episode titled "Behind the Scenes Minis: Learned Women and Sharkey," hosts Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson delve into the compelling narratives of Anna Maria Von Sherman, a pioneering educated woman in Europe, and William Sharkey, a figure entangled in a notorious legal case. This summary captures the essence of their discussions, highlighting key points, insightful analyses, and notable quotes from the episode.

Section 1: Anna Maria Von Sherman – A Beacon of Female Education

Exploring Anna Maria's Legacy

Holly introduces Anna Maria Von Sherman as "probably the most educated woman in Europe of her time" (02:26). The hosts examine her contributions and the societal constraints she faced, emphasizing the structural barriers that hindered women's access to education during her era.

Challenges Faced by Educated Women

The discussion highlights the paradox of promoting female education while simultaneously restricting access. Holly mentions, "You could make it seem really fun and cool to be an educated woman, but that wasn't gonna do anything about the fact that most women had no access to school of any sort" (05:50). This underscores the systemic obstacles that prevented many women from pursuing education, despite cultural endorsements.

Religious and Social Expectations

The episode delves into Anna Maria's personal life, noting her lifelong celibacy and its significance in a predominantly Protestant society. Tracy remarks, "The social expectation was for women to get married and have children" (10:37). This personal choice set her apart, aligning her in some ways with broader definitions of queerness by deviating from societal norms.

Destruction of Her Works

A poignant moment in the conversation revolves around Anna Maria's decision to destroy her poetry towards the end of her life. Holly speculates, "What if this was just an issue of practicality? Where one day she was like, there's so many junky notebooks around here" (12:33). This act raises questions about her inner self and the legacy she intended to leave behind.

Section 2: William Sharkey – A Legal Misstep and Its Implications

Introduction to Sharkey's Case

Transitioning to William Sharkey, Holly and Tracy discuss his legal troubles, describing his case as "murder" albeit not a particularly grisly one (18:01). They explore the intricacies of his escape from prison and the subsequent legal fallout.

Maggie Jordan's Role

Tracy sheds light on Maggie Jordan, William's widow, who played a crucial role in his escape. She points out, "It's not a secret where she is" (18:09), countering the common narrative that Sharkey simply vanished without a trace. This reveals a more nuanced picture of the events surrounding his escape.

Judicial Oversights

A significant portion of the discussion critiques the legal proceedings against Sharkey. Tracy states, "He was convicted of first-degree murder, which includes intent largely because the judge really, really whiffed it on his jury instructions" (21:55). This highlights the potential miscarriage of justice due to flawed legal instructions, emphasizing the importance of accurate jury guidance.

Behavior and Consequences

The hosts comment on Sharkey's temperament and actions, noting his "horrible temper" and irresponsible behavior, such as "using a gun to gesticulate with" (19:52). Tracy uses his case as a cautionary tale, urging listeners, "Don't live his life. Don't be like him. Don't do that" (22:41).

Section 3: Reflecting on Historical Narratives

Myth vs. Reality

Holly and Tracy discuss how historical figures are often romanticized or misrepresented. For instance, Tracy mentions that Maggie Jordan's story is frequently portrayed as a sudden descent into crime, whereas evidence shows her involvement in a family of criminal activities (20:02).

Impact of Structural Barriers

The conversation circles back to the theme of structural barriers, drawing parallels between Anna Maria Von Sherman's experiences and broader societal issues. Holly observes, "There are structural barriers at work here. It applies to so many things in our world today" (06:12), connecting past injustices to contemporary challenges.

Humanizing Historical Figures

The hosts emphasize the importance of viewing historical figures as complex individuals rather than one-dimensional characters. Tracy asserts, "What people see as immoral in many cases is really just human" (08:55), advocating for a more empathetic understanding of the past.

Conclusion

In "Behind the Scenes Minis: Learned Women and Sharkey," Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson provide a nuanced exploration of Anna Maria Von Sherman's quest for education amidst societal constraints and William Sharkey's tumultuous legal saga. Through their detailed discussions, they illuminate the complexities of historical narratives, urging listeners to look beyond surface-level stories to understand the broader societal and structural factors at play.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Holly Fry: "You could make it seem really fun and cool to be an educated woman, but that wasn't gonna do anything about the fact that most women had no access to school of any sort." (05:50)

• Tracy V. Wilson: "The social expectation was for women to get married and have children." (10:37)

• Holly Fry: "What if this was just an issue of practicality? Where one day she was like, there's so many junky notebooks around here." (12:33)

• Tracy V. Wilson: "He was convicted of first-degree murder, which includes intent largely because the judge really, really whiffed it on his jury instructions." (21:55)

• Tracy V. Wilson: "Don't live his life. Don't be like him. Don't do that." (22:41)

• Holly Fry: "There are structural barriers at work here. It applies to so many things in our world today." (06:12)

• Tracy V. Wilson: "What people see as immoral in many cases is really just human." (08:55)

This summary aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the episode's main discussions, ensuring that listeners unfamiliar with the podcast can grasp the essential themes and insights shared by Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson.