Clara Bow (1905-1965) was an American film star of the 1920s. Her flapper persona helped bring about the “it” girl and popularize the fads of the era. Her sudden retirement at the age of 28 essentially erased her from later films as the studio system grew, but she left an undeniable imprint on film history.  For Further Reading: Clara Bow: Biography Hollywood Walk of Fame Clara Bow: the hard-partying jazz-baby airbrushed from Hollywood history Historically, women have been told to make themselves smaller, to diminish themselves. Some have used that idea to their advantage, disappearing ..read more

Irmgard Keun (1905-1982) was a best-selling novelist in Germany in the early 1930s. After she ran afoul of Nazi censorship, she became an exiled, “anti-German” expatriate hiding from the Nazi regime. That’s when she was reported dead by suicide. But was that really the full story?  For Further Reading: The Extraordinary Disappearing Act of a Novelist Banned by the Nazis | History| Smithsonian Magazine Novelist Irmgard Keun's Weimar-era tales find a new audience – DW – 08/01/2011  The Second Life of Irmgard Keun - The Millions How Irmgard Keun's fiction captured a generation of bold ..read more

Nadine Hwang (1902-1972) was a Chinese pilot, a lesbian writer’s driver, a foreign diplomat, and a resistance fighter. In 1944, she was captured by Nazisand vanished into the Ravensbruck concentration camp – where she endured inhumane conditions, and, met the love of her life.  For Further Reading (And Watching!) Mysterious Displays of Will The story of Nadine Hwang: The ‘Chinese Joan of Arc’ Nelly and Nadine Historically, women have been told to make themselves smaller, to diminish themselves. Some have used that idea to their advantage, disappearing into new identities. For others, a ..read more

Petra Herrera (1887-1916) was a soldadera who dressed and lived under the name Pedro Herrera. While disguised as a man, she fought with the insurgent troops of the Mexican Revolution and reached incredible heights — but once it revealed she was a woman, she was refused military rank and removed from the army. Afterwards, she served undercover once again, this time, as a spy. For Further Reading: The Mexican Revolutionary who Fought for Freedom Mexican Revolutionary Petra Herrera Posed as a Man to Fight for Her Country Remembering Petra Herrera, the Unsung, Cross-Dressing Heroine Of the Mexica ..read more

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593- c.1656) was an Italian Baroque painter. She was one of the most accomplished 17th century artists, painting naturalistic depictions of forms and figures. But, her achievements have often been overshadowed by scandals in her personal life. For Further Reading:  A Fuller Picture of Artemisia Gentileschi Isn’t She Good – For a Woman? Artemisia’s Moment Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi Historically, women have been told to make themselves smaller, to diminish themselves. Some have used that idea to their advantage, disappearing into new identities. For others, a ..read more

Marsha “Mudd” Ferber (1941-unknown) was a hippie, a back-to-the-lander, a revolutionary, and an outlaw. She was also the owner of The Underground Railroad, an alternative music haven in Morgantown, West Virginia that hosted the likes of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Grateful Dead. In 1988, she disappeared – and her whereabouts have remained a mystery to this day.  For Further Reading (and Listening!):  I Was Never There  Missing Marsha She Saw Herself as a Hippie ‘Outlaw.’ Then, She Disappeared Historically, women have been told to make themselves smaller, to diminish them ..read more

Fanny Eaton (1835-1924) was a model and muse for dozens of iconic paintings from the pre-Raphaelite era. Her face can be found in museums around the world, and yet she remains unnamed and overlooked even today. For Further Reading: National Portrait Gallery: A Pre-Raphaelite Discovery  Art UK: Fanny Eaton: Jamaican Pre-Raphaelite muse  Tate Museum: Why were the Pre-Raphaelites so shocking?  Historically, women have been told to make themselves smaller, to diminish themselves. Some have used that idea to their advantage, disappearing into new identities. For others, a disappear ..read more

Jehanne D’Alcy (1865-1956) was the first French film actress. She was known for her work alongside illusionist and film director Georges Méliès. With the invention of the movie camera, she went on to star in his films - which included dozens of short, silent movies, across genres. The two are regarded as early pioneers of cinema, and remain inspirational to filmmakers even today.  For Further Reading: Jehanne d’Alcy The Vanishing Lady (Escamotage d'une dame chez Robert-Houdin, 1896) ㅡ Georges Méliès Cleopatra’s Tomb (1899) The Real Movies Behind the Magical Hugo Historically, women have ..read more

Ellen Craft (1826-1891) was an abolitionist and freedom seeker from Georgia. She disguised herself as a white enslaver to escape slavery with her husband, William. Their autobiography told the story of their relentless pursuit for freedom, and advocated against slavery. For Further Reading: The Remarkable True Story of the Couple Who Posed as Master and Slave to Escape Bondage "A Desperate Leap for Liberty": The Escape of William and Ellen Craft Running A Thousand Miles for Freedom Historically, women have been told to make themselves smaller, to diminish themselves. Some have used that idea ..read more

Connie Converse (1924-unknown) was an American singer songwriter who was active in the 1950s New York music scene. Her recordings are some of the earliest known recordings of the singer songwriter genre but were lost after her 1974 disappearance.  For Further Reading: Connie Converse Was ‘the Female Bob Dylan.’ Then She Disappeared. The Art of Disappearing  Connie Converse’s Time Has Come  Connie Converse: The Enigma and Mystery of the Original Singer Songwriter  Historically, women have been told to make themselves smaller, to diminish themselves. Some have used that ide ..read more