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Motorsport has never been a welcoming space for women. But that never stopped Susie Wolff from karting at eight to becoming a Formula One test driver, proving that talent doesn't recognize gender. Her influence, however, runs far deeper than the racetrack. She is now using all that she has learned to create opportunities for future generations of women racers, women who would not have to fight so hard for their chances. Susie Wolff's Journey: From Karting to Formula One Susie Wolff Born on   December  6 ,  1982 ,  in  Scotland, Susie was introduced into the world of motorcars because of her family's keen interest in motorsport .   From  the age of 8 , she quickly made  a name  as a natural. From karting, her talent earned her a place in Formula Renault and Formula 3, the two most competitive junior single-seater categories. Here, she learned her racecraft, fighting wheel to wheel with the best young racers in the world. But breaking into Formula One was another nut altogether. Women have reached the highest tier in the sport only in a handful of cases. A prime example is Lella Lombardi, who made history in the 1970s as the only woman to score points in a Formula 1 Grand Prix, finishing sixth at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix. Then came Susie's chance in 2012. Williams F1, one of the oldest teams in the sport, recognized her potential and signed her as a development driver. This was a huge moment not only for Susie but for all women in motorsport. Two years later, in 2014, she became the first woman to participate in an official Formula One Grand Prix weekend, driving in free practice for the British and German Grands PrixWhile she may not have secured a permanent F1 seat, limited track time, especially after a mechanical failure in her first session, meant she never had a full chance to prove herself in race conditions. She had already done something phenomenal: she proved that female drivers had a place on the topmost pedestal of motorsport. More Than Just a Driver: Building a Legacy For many drivers, stepping away from the cockpit means fading into the background. For Susie Wolff, this was hardly ever the case; she resolved to take an even bigger challenge, changing it from within. After retirement from racing, she stepped into management and took on the task of team principal at Venturi Racing in Formula E, the world’s foremost electric racing series. Under her decisive guidance, the team made up serious ground, which says much for her talents beyond the cockpit. However, her greatest contribution to racing would come in 2023, when she was made managing director for the F1 Academy. This would prove to be a ground-breaking initiative that gives aspiring female drivers a real shot at competing at the very highest echelon of motorsport. Rise of F1 Academy: Changing the Future of Women in Racing Over the years, female racing drivers have had a hard time making their way up, not due to a lack of talent, but rather because of the absence of opportunities. The F1 Academy aims to change that. Specifically designed for young female drivers, this championship offers the resources, funding, and high-level competition necessary to cultivate the next generation of female racing stars. Unlike other junior series, the F1 Academy focuses not only on racing but also on education. Susie fully understands that motorsport demands more than just speed; many other factors contribute to successful driving, including training and the significance of being in the right place at the right time. Her leadership in the F1 Academy is already paving the way for change. Never before have so many female drivers gained serious recognition as genuine competitors, and the sport as a whole has been making strides toward greater inclusivity. Another prime example is when, in 2024, Jessica Hawkins became the first woman in nearly five years to test a Formula 1 car, driving for Aston Martin. The goal is not merely to place women in F1 cars;   it's to make sure young girls watching at home believe that it is possible. The F1 Academy is just the beginning. A post race cuddle Through Susie Wolff's vision and hard work, a new generation of female drivers is ready to step out and take on the world, showing that women do belong in every corner of F1.     Susie Wolff on the Impact of F1 Academy Reflecting on the Academy’s impact, Wolff shared in an interview with Formula 1 Official Website  (2025): “We can be very proud of what we’ve achieved in a short space of time, but this was always a long-term project. We need to see more young girls in karting, and they’re calling it ‘the F1 Academy effect.’ I’ve never seen so many young girls in karting, and that for me is just as important as the success of the series because we need to inspire the next generation. We need to get more young women racing for the best to rise to the top.” Why Susie Wolff’s Work Matters Motorsport is changing, but change does not happen overnight. It takes pioneers, leaders, and people willing to push the boundaries. Susie Wolff is all of those things. Her career proves that with determination, resilience, and the right opportunities, women can compete at the highest levels of motorsport. More importantly, she is making it easier for the next generation. The Future: What’s Next? Thanks to initiatives such as the rise of F1 Academy and the promotion of diversity in motorsport, the future seems bright. More female drivers are competing than ever before, and the barriers that once held them back are starting to crumble. Would we see a female driver on the Formula One grid soon? If Susie Wolff has anything to do with it, the answer is yes. She has already changed the landscape of motorsport. Now, she’s shaping its future. And that future looks faster, more competitive, and more inclusive than ever before. The future of race car driving Susie Wolff's journey is a testament to resilience and passion. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated sport, she never let societal norms dictate her path. Her determination and skill earned her respect in the racing community, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations of female drivers. Beyond the racetrack, she became a symbol of empowerment and courage for women everywhere.   Her legacy continues to remind us that with dedication and support, we can achieve remarkable feats, no matter the obstacles.

What Does a Bartender Do? As the summer turns to autumn, sunny pub gardens and rooftop bars filled with drinkers fizzle out. I find myself reflecting on my friends in the hospitality industry, pondering the question, "What does a bartender do?" A more intriguing proposition, however, is "What did bartenders do?" The roles of bartenders, particularly female bartenders, have significantly influenced economics, civil rights, and social norms in both American and British contexts. In this article, I aim to unpack the role of female bartenders in the economics of the past and present, using London and New York as case studies. I will conclude by discussing the modern bar scene and the increasing appeal of alcohol to women. A Personal Journey into Bartending Having worked as a bartender for over five years, I have a personal interest in the origins of drinks, their influences, and the trending bars that shape our social experiences. Initially, I believed that female bartenders were a minority in the hospitality sector—a fluctuating statistic depending on the country and type of establishment. Research proved challenging, as I struggled to find reliable statistics on the percentage of female bartenders. However, the data I did uncover suggested a near 50/50 gender split in both the USA and UK (Martin, 2025). As of 2023, the total number of employees in pubs and bars reached approximately 470,000, an increase from 460,000 in 2019 (Statista, 2024). So, is bartending still a male-dominated profession? While stereotypes persist, the reality is more nuanced. Historically, women were integral to bars, taverns, and inns, often serving in front-of-house roles. Landladies and barmaids were essential to the functioning of respectable establishments (Powers, 1995). Yet, as the decades progressed, fewer women found employment in the hospitality workforce. When and why did this seemingly favourable occupation change? The Impact of Prohibition One significant turning point in both economic and domestic spheres was Prohibition in the USA during the 1920s and 30s. The United States faced heavy economic losses and a surge in illicit alcohol smuggling (Sutcliffe, 2025), affecting both men and women across various sectors, not just hospitality. As the USA modernised, larger cities like New York began to scrutinise the "virtue" and "respectability" of women in the workforce. This topic is explored in Diane Kirby's 1997 article, Barmaids: A History of Women’s Work in Pubs . After World War I, returning men reclaimed jobs that women had filled during their absence, including positions in traditional male drinking establishments. This shift led to laws in multiple states that barred women from entering bars. Women had bolstered the wartime economy only to be sidelined once the war concluded. Despite the lack of a nationwide law prohibiting women from working as bartenders and barmaids, individual states and cities enacted their own regulations. According to these laws, no respectable woman should be found in places where alcohol was served (Kirby, 1997), lest she be deemed indecent and suffer reputational damage. Women could drink privately or at parties, provided they were chaperoned by a man. Establishments that employed women faced legal repercussions and economic losses, as male patrons expressed their displeasure (Powers, 1995). The Hotel and Restaurant Employers and Bartenders International Union (HREI), formed in 1890, imposed strict regulations against women in the industry (Powers, 1995). However, female membership in the union grew from 2,000 in 1908 to 181,000 by 1950, indicating a clear trend towards the feminisation of the hospitality industry. Despite this rise in female membership, campaigns against women in bars emerged after World War II in the USA, targeting those soliciting drinks from men. Known as "b-girls" or "bargirls," they were branded as sleazy and immoral (Sholtis, 2020), often compared to prostitutes. This stigma effectively socially banned women from drinking publicly in some states. The Changing Landscape Post-Prohibition After Prohibition ended in 1933, by 1948, 17 US states still had laws forbidding women from bartending. By 1960, this number had grown to 26 (Silverman, 2025). Yet, women remained the predominant customers when ordering cocktails in states where they were permitted entry into bars. Female-only spaces occasionally existed within bars or pubs, and even hotels had designated Ladies' rooms and tables. The women who frequented these establishments were often the mothers, sisters, daughters, or wives of men who worked or owned them. Meanwhile, men continued to drink ales and hard liquors, both illegally during Prohibition and afterwards. In the United Kingdom, the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act preceded the Equality Act of 2010, initiating the dismantling of outdated and sexist laws. While there were no laws outright prohibiting women from entering bars or pubs, it remained socially acceptable to refuse service to women until a 1982 London court case ruled this practice as an infringement of rights (Kirby, 1997). This legal loophole stemmed from the perception that bars and pubs were traditionally male spaces, and women would not desire entry. However, the reality was that bars and pubs were losing male customers, leading me to believe that women indeed influenced economics and alcohol sales. For instance, from 1900 to 1933 in the USA, drink orders shifted from straight liquor to mixed drinks, as I will elaborate on in the following sections. Women’s movements, such as the UK’s Suffragettes, began to advocate for equal rights, resulting in an increase in female patrons in bars (Sholtis, 2020) as a form of protest. The Role of Women in Shaping Cocktail Culture The influences of changing alcoholic consumption patterns, including available spirits, trends, and economic positioning in society, fundamentally altered how women (and men) ordered drinks in bars. One influential figure in this transformation is bartender Ada Coleman, affectionately known as "Coley" (1875-1966). She became the first female Head Bartender at the American Bar in The Savoy Hotel in London in 1903 (Sutcliffe, 2025). Born in 1875, she began her professional bartending career at the age of 24 in London’s Claridges Hotel before quickly rising to work at The Savoy alongside another female bartender, Ruth "Kitty" Burgess. Ada became renowned for her eccentric personality, innovative drinks, and impeccable service. Many bartenders credit her with trailblazing and creating classic cocktail recipes. She is best known for crafting the ‘Hanky Panky’ cocktail for actor Sir Charles Hawtrey, who requested a surprise drink (Sutcliffe, 2025). This cocktail, a delightful mix of gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca, is a variation of a sweet martini known as a Martinez. The Hanky Panky was a major success and remains a staple at The Savoy today. Ada served there for 23 years before retiring as the highly respected Ladies Cloakroom attendant in her mid-60s. Ada ‘Coley’ Coleman pictured in 1920 at The Savoy (Wikipedia, 2025) As previously mentioned, women significantly influenced economics through alcohol sales, as drink demands evolved after Prohibition. The barmaids and bartenders who navigated these changes are described as "legends" by Kirby, capable of making or breaking the trade. The commercialisation of women’s spaces also drove up the demand for drinks and leisure venues, yet much scholarship surrounding these topics tends to overlook this impact. When women popularised cocktails and transformed bars into spaces of leisure in both the USA and UK, it coincided with the economic freedom they gained in the workforce (Kirby, 1997). Consequently, women could advocate for their right to drink in public bars, as they represented a growing clientele. The new cocktail culture not only generated revenue but also fostered creativity in bars after Prohibition ended (Sutcliffe, 2025) and, in the UK, before, during, and after World War Two. Women ventured into movie theatres, drive-throughs, amusement parks, dance halls, and hotels, challenging traditional societal norms. This shift unsettled many men in power, as women gained both freedom and disposable income. The Modern Bar Scene: A New Era Connecting alcohol to women’s liberation is explored in detail in Elizabeth Sholtis’ 2020 article, Shaking Things Up: The Influence of Women on the American Cocktail . This piece examines drink orders and classic recipes that women popularised or invented. Sholtis begins with the aftermath of Prohibition. Prior to this period, cocktails featured fewer and simpler ingredients. However, once alcohol became readily available again, bars needed to entice customers back with flair. Some women ordered hard spirits, just like men, opting for rum, brandy, whisky, gin fizzes, and Old Fashioneds—the latter being a traditional male drink. Yet, many women preferred to dilute their drinks, using egg white and sugar syrup, known as a ‘Flip’. This concoction is akin to a modern-day ‘Sour cocktail’, which typically includes citrus juices. When hosting parties, women would often prepare a punch recipe: a mix of water, citrus, sugar, liquor, and nutmeg. This approach catered to female tastes, prompting the economy to respond with bars and hotel bars adding these drinks to their menus. This adaptation led to increased revenue for these establishments, as more customers spent time and money within their walls. Gin emerged as a common ingredient in new cocktails because it could be easily mixed with water or fruit juices (Sholtis, 2020). This versatility gave rise to one of my favourite cocktails, The Bees Knees. Attributed to The Ritz in Paris during the 1920s, it has its origins in Prohibition. The Bees Knees consists of lemon juice, gin, honey, and sometimes egg white. Like the ‘Flip’, it avoids the harsher taste of pure gin, appealing to many women’s palates with its floral sweetness. Other cocktails in this vein include variations like ‘The Last Word’, the ‘French 75’ with champagne, and the classic martini with vermouth. The images below are from my previous workplace, The Castle Hotel, where I was involved in creating and photographing these drinks, circa Christmas 2024 and March 2025. Over time, I have learned that family ventures and businesses involving women in taverns or inns became self-sustaining professions before being made illegal. Bartending is a relatively recent profession, gaining recognition over the last century alongside advancements in unions, such as the HREI. Social conventions and laws have evolved, including a new zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment in the workplace. This evolution has forced bartending and drinking cultures to adapt, as discussed throughout this article. As we enter the 21st century, a new drinking culture emerges, drawing inspiration from remnants of the past scattered throughout pubs and classic hotels. I find great enjoyment in the London nightlife; trends are constantly emerging, creating a dynamic evening out. From 2023 onwards, we have witnessed a rise in intimate spaces, smaller music venues featuring themed drinks, and bars inspired by popular culture, such as those themed around Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter . Additionally, we see popular themed bars like Art Deco speakeasies, dungeons, retro discos, or tropical rooftops (O’Neill, 2025). Mixology is gaining popularity, with conceptual experiences for handcrafted cocktails (O’Neill, 2025). Late-night venues remain a favourite among young adults in the workforce. Overall, in London, going out to bars has transformed into a meaningful, intimate event rather than a casual hangout. In contrast, New York City adopts a more casual approach to engage customers, with business owners excelling at managing casual food spots alongside quality drinks, emphasising the "clubstaurant" concept. Wellness, social interaction, and mental health have become central to emerging trends in the Big Apple (Kumamoto, 2025). The flashy venues, glamour, and excessive alcohol consumption have seemingly taken a backseat. Notably, New York City hosts female-only bartender competitions like "Speed Rack," where many up-and-coming bartenders showcasing innovation are women (Archibald, 2024). Nevertheless, traditional pubs, clubs, and popular bars continue to thrive despite the rise of gimmicky trends. Both cities boast fantastic drinks and quality food, focusing on customer experience and branding in recent trends. I believe these bars and clubs appeal more to women than men, as they offer fewer legal constraints, safer spaces, and a wider array of drink choices, including themed or mixed cocktails rather than just hard liquor, beer, or wine (Kumamoto, 2025). Female bartenders are influential in the New York City bar scene, notably establishing some of the city's most exclusive cocktail bars, such as Clover Club, Temple Bar, and Leyenda (Archibald, 2024). In my view, this grants female bartenders greater freedom and creative space. I also believe that women are more drawn to bars where other women are visible—both as employees and patrons. This observation has been evident throughout my article, highlighting that women are essential customers who contribute to the profits of establishments and the local economy. We have witnessed the upward mobility of women in bars and as bartenders, thanks to their influence on consumer patterns. More women are choosing to defy historical social values and drink in public. Alcohol, bars, and pubs hold significant cultural and economic value, and I believe this will remain constant, even amid demographic changes. We have seen consumers and alcohol foster diversity and creativity in the workplace, prompting changes to 20th-century laws in America, especially (Sutcliffe, 2025). Cocktails, in my opinion, were among the fastest-growing drink items between the 1930s and 2000s due to their appeal and marketing as a "woman's drink," leading to a behaviour where women dominated that specific market. As explored in Kirby and Sholtis’s articles, diverse drink orders from new female patrons have resulted in significant economic success for bars and pubs, with many classic drinks, like Ada Coleman’s Hanky Panky, being invented. Currently, the demand for new bars, spaces, and events remains unwavering across all gender demographics. Both London and New York City showcase talent in curating these venues, catering to women and fostering innovation, offering fresh perspectives on the overall drinking culture. We must not forget that today’s cocktail culture was propelled to the forefront by women who simply wanted a drink. Sources Archibald, A. (2024). Meet 6 “Spirited” Women Who Are Changing NYC’s Cocktail Scene. online] NYC Tourism+Conventions. Available at: [https://www.nyctourism.com/articles/meet-the-women-changing-nyc-cocktail-scene/ [Accessed 28 Jul. 2025] Kirby, D. (1997). Barmaids: A history of women’s work in pubs. online] Academia. Available at: [https://www.academia.edu/97374044/Barmaids_A_History_of_Womens_Work_in_Pubs [Accessed 19 Jun. 2025] Godwin, E. (2019). A Potted History Of Women In Bars. online] Broadsheet. Available at: [https://www.broadsheet.com.au/perth/food-and-drink/article/potted-history-women-bars [Accessed 23 May 2025] Powers, M. (1995). Women and Public Drinking. online] History Today. Available at: [https://www.historytoday.com/archive/women-and-public-drinking-1890-1920 [Accessed 19 Jun. 2025] Holtman French, A. (2021). How Women Fought for the Right to be Bartenders. online] Available at: [https://daily.jstor.org/how-women-fought-for-the-right-to-be-bartenders [Accessed 6 May 2025] Sholtis, E. (2020). Shaking Things Up: The Influence Of Women On The American Cocktail. online] Virginia Tech Undergraduate Historical Review. Available at: [https://vtuhr.org/articles/10.21061/vtuhr.v9i0.4 [Accessed 18 Jun. 2025] Silverman, S. (2025). Female Bartenders Barred (1937). online] Available at: [https://uselessinformation.org/female-bartenders-barred-1937 [Accessed 11 Jun. 2025] O’Neill, L. (2025). Forget Wine Bars, London’s New Bar Culture Is All About Casual Late Night Eateries. online] British Vogue. Available at: [https://www.bing.com/search?q=-+Lauren+O%E2%80%99Neill+%E2%80%98Forget+Wine+Bars%2C+London%E2%80%99s+New+Bar+Culture+Is+All+About+Casual+Late+Night+Eateries%E2%80%99+2025%2C+British+Vogue&qs=ds&form=QBRE [Accessed 3 Jun. 2025] Statista (2024). Number of employees in pubs and bars in the United Kingdom. online] Statista Research Development. Available at: [https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118453/employment-in-pubs-and-bars-uk/#statisticContainer [Accessed 3 Jun. 2025] Martin, D. (2025). Exploring The Demographics of Bartending: Are Most Bartenders Female? online] TheBlog Journal. Available at: [https://theblogjournal.com/are-most-bartenders-female [Accessed 3 Jun. 2025] Kumamoto, I. (2025). Out Late: What insiders and partygoers are predicting for NYC nightlife in 2025 online] TimeOut. Available at: [https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/out-late-what-insiders-and-partygoers-are-predicting-for-nyc-nightlife-in-2025-022525 [Accessed 4 Jun. 2025] Sutcliffe, T. (2025). Ada Coleman online] Difford’s Guide. Available at: [https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/2857/people/ada-coleman [Accessed 10 Jun. 2025] Sutcliffe, T. (2025). A Brief History of Cocktails online] Difford’s Guide. Available at: [https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/2294/cocktails/a-brief-history-of-cocktails [Accessed 10 Jun. 2025] Images: Wikipedia (2025). Ada Coleman online] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Coleman [Accessed 21 Sept 2025] Acknowledgments: HERstory Project The Castle Hotel, Taunton

Cook, Susan, Alethia Lethe Tanner, Https://Www.alethiatanner.com/, 2014 Given the outcome of the most recent American presidential election, the story of Alethia ‘Lethe’ Tanner (c. 1785–1864) feels particularly necessary to recount and reclaim. Her narrative underscores the often-overlooked but vital role Black women have played, and continue to play, at the forefront of the fight for democracy in America. Lethe, an enslaved woman in the early nineteenth century, surmounted enormous obstacles to purchase her freedom and become a community leader in modern-day Washington, DC. She not only secured freedom for herself and eighteen relatives but also made significant social and financial contributions to local churches and schools that were critical to the newly freed population in Washington. Her efforts were rooted in her entrepreneurial beginnings as a produce cart vendor on what is now Lafayette Square, just outside the White House. The Misrepresentation of Lethe Tanner A precursor to note is that while Alethia is often referred to as “Alethia Browning Tanner,” this name is historically inaccurate. Key documents, such as her manumission papers and her final will and testament, consistently show that she signed her name as “Lethe Tanner.” Lethe, likely a shortened form of Alethia, reflects the name she preferred and will be used accordingly in this article. The first appearance of “Browning” in connection to Lethe occurred in 1868, four years after her death, in the report Special Report of the Commissioner of Education on the Condition and Improvement of Public Schools in the District of Columbia . This report contains many factual inaccuracies, such as misrepresenting the means Lethe used to purchase her sister’s freedom. Such errors undermine its credibility as a source for remembering Lethe’s life and reflect a recurring pattern of government documents inaccurately depicting the identities of enslaved individuals. Reconstructing Lethe's Life Reconstructing Lethe’s life requires us to fill in the gaps left by archival silences, an endeavor historian Annette Gordon-Reed describes as an “imaginative enterprise.” To minimise conjecture, we turn to firsthand accounts, such as those of Susan Cook, Tanner’s four-time great-niece, whose memory has been preserved through generational rediscovery. Interviewing Cook has been indispensable to this article, offering unique insights into the significance of Lethe’s story and the lessons it holds. Given, however, the scarcity of these accounts, interpretive frameworks are useful to understand and reconstruct Lethe’s life. Her story is often placed within the self-emancipation historiographical narrative, advanced by scholars like James McPherson and Michael Johnson, which emphasises the agency of enslaved people in securing their freedom through independent resistance, separate from abolitionists and external forces. However, this framework is ill-suited to Lethe’s story and fails to do it justice. The narrow focus on the Civil War era overlooks earlier acts of resistance in the early nineteenth century and remains heavily androcentric, often neglecting the experiences of enslaved Black women. Moreover, and most importantly, its emphasis on exceptional acts of freedom obscures the broader, collective dimensions of resistance that shaped enslaved people’s lives and aspirations. Instead, I adopt Tamika Nunley’s commendable concept of ‘self-making’ as a more fitting lens for interpreting Lethe’s life. Unlike the traditional self-emancipation narrative, which centres on the singular act of achieving legal freedom, self-making explores the ongoing process of constructing a self-determined identity, even within systems that denied enslaved individuals legal or social recognition. Freedom vs. Liberty This article maintains a clear distinction between freedom and liberty: while freedom often marks the breaking of legal barriers, liberty reflects the broader, ongoing struggle to fashion an identity and live on one’s own terms. Saidiya Hartman’s concept of “afterlives” resonates strongly here, arguing that America’s ideals of “democratic individuality” often failed to extend to formerly enslaved women who continued to face systemic constraints rooted in race and gender even after manumission. Lethe, as a free woman in a slave-holding region with no tangible power or resources to rely on, exemplified this struggle. Her afterlife was defined by sustaining her produce cart business until 1853, purchasing the freedom of her relatives, and establishing a school — all of which reflected her enduring commitment to community and liberation. Early Life and Path to Freedom Originally enslaved on the Chelsea Plantation in Upper Marlboro, Maryland — first by Tobias Belt and later by his daughter, Rachel Belt Pratt — Lethe began her path to freedom as a produce vendor on today’s Lafayette Square. Through her earnings, she was able to purchase her own freedom, a significant moment documented in July 1810 when she provided $275 to Joseph Daugherty. Given the legislation of the time barring a direct transaction, Daugherty paid Pratt on Lethe’s behalf. The purchasing of her own freedom was not a transactional, isolated act of emancipation; it was rather the culmination of a longer history of her “small” — as Cook describes — everyday acts of self-making which served as catalysts for lasting change. This narrative challenges conventional accounts that often exclude figures like Lethe from exploration within the archival record, merely reducing them to generalised and simplified examples of emancipation. Moreover, her freedom was the product of sustained identity formation, resistance, and self-determination within a system built to suppress her very existence. Cedric Robinson’s outline of ‘racial capitalism’ further contextualises her within this system that relied on the persistent subjugation of Black people in the American labour economy. Lethe’s navigation of this system reflects her awareness of how her race and gender shaped her proximity to the law and how self-making involved managing diverse pathways between her imposed social position and reimagining herself outside their confines. Viewed through this lens, Lethe not only resisted the structures of power that sought to define her identity but actively destabilised them; challenging the misconception of passivity, showing that resistance was not confined to overt or isolated acts but included the transformative power of striving for identities that transcended the legal and social constraints of their time. A Commitment to Family and Community Fifteen years after her initial manumission, Lethe remained persistent, paying approximately $1,400 in multiple installments to secure the freedom of her sister Laurana Cook in 1826, along with her six children — reflective of her selflessness and commitment to family over her own financial benefit. Drawing on N. Z. Davis’s micro-historiographical framework, which focuses on human agency within systemic contexts to reveal broader social practices and collective mentalities, Lethe’s story demonstrates that freedom was neither a singular nor isolated act. Instead, it was part of a larger, interconnected network of community efforts that made her emancipation — and that of those around her — possible. Hartman’s concept of afterlives is evident in Lethe’s post-emancipation life, as her establishment of the Bell School in 1807 fostered an ethos of community-driven resilience and self-determination, particularly for young girls, enabling Black women to articulate their readiness to assume societal roles otherwise denied to them. Lethe’s legacy also included providing her nephew, John F. Cook Sr., with the space to establish both his church and school in her home; institutions which played a crucial role in educating and raising the next generation of key figures, including Charles Hamilton Houston, who would go on to drive the Civil Rights Movement. These vital educational institutions symbolised Lethe’s commitment to creating a self-sufficient community, showcasing the vibrancy and resilience of free Black Washingtonians in the early nineteenth century. By the time of the Civil War, this commitment of personally freeing more than eighteen individuals contributed to the District’s transformation into a majority-free Black population, growing from 2,549 in 1810 to 11,131 by 1860. The Ongoing Struggle for Freedom Yet, the shadow of slavery persisted, as enslaved women faced exploitation from neighbouring counties in response to the declining Chesapeake tobacco economy between 1800 and 1820. For free Black residents during the Antebellum period, the dangers were severe, with violence and laws that made their freedom precarious. Without freedom papers, they could be legally abducted and sold back into slavery in the Deep South. This underscores the deeply entrenched systems of power designed to maintain the status quo — structures that have endured for centuries. For Lethe, self-making was not solely about achieving freedom, both before and during her afterlife, but also redefining her relationship to her context, her space, and her community’s future. Indeed, the sociological context of Lafayette Square carries layered spatial significance. Lethe’s reality unfolded in the shadow of the White House and Congress; buildings which imposed the normative and legal powers of the legislative and executive branches of government, where both de jure and de facto influence was felt upon those in proximity. Her daily occupation of this public space directly challenged the exclusion enforced by these surrounding powers, exemplifying sustained resistance to systemic oppression. Rather than relying on isolated acts of defiance, Lethe actively shaped an identity that transcended her immediate circumstances. The Legacy of Alethia Tanner Lethe’s life, situated at the intersection of personal agency and spatial significance, exemplifies how Black women’s self-making was both an act of resistance and a means of reshaping their environments. As Nunley asserts, Lethe transformed the square into a stage for experimentation and the assertion of freedoms at a time when the nation’s capital was still defining itself. Underscoring, however, the paradoxical nature of the District itself: while the nation’s founders envisioned the city as a beacon of Republican virtues, it instead embodied the contradictions of a country built on the lack of freedom of many. Most importantly, through the claims she made, the life she built, and the identities she forged, Lethe laid the foundation for a free Black Washington, asserting agency and equality in a space that professed liberty while excluding Black women from its vision of freedom. Defiance of these codes underscores the navigational strategies these women must have employed. Historians have uncovered aspects of these women’s experiences through sources like runaway advertisements, vigilance networks, kidnapping cases, and judicial accounts, including criminal records. Reading these sources against the grain reveals how the Black codes of the time shaped the legal parameters of Black women’s claims to liberty, even after manumission in their ‘afterlives’. What is particularly striking about Lethe’s case is her absence from criminal records, suggesting she navigated the law with remarkable skill and resilience, in an atmosphere overtly against her. This absence speaks to the power of perseverance — a legacy embodied in her daily acts of showing up and refusing to be erased. Remembering Lethe in this way defies the long-standing narratives that underestimate the agency of enslaved women. Instead, it offers a deeper understanding of the resilience and creativity Black women employed in envisioning, surviving, and giving meaning to liberty in nineteenth-century America. The Importance of Remembering Lethe As a first-generation Washingtonian, I was deeply moved to learn about Lethe’s remarkable history. It was surprising — and somewhat disheartening — that her story had remained so unfamiliar to me, and I assume to many others. Lethe’s contributions are pivotal not only to the history of Washington DC but also speak to the resilience and ingenuity of marginalised individuals whose voices have been overlooked in traditional archives and grander historical narratives — particularly in women’s history, where their values are often dismissed since they are rarely articulated according to their own terms. Uncovering and honouring Lethe’s life demonstrates the value of ‘anecdotal’ history in amplifying the experiences of those too often excluded from conventional historiography. Personal stories like hers are deeply impactful and vital for understanding the complexity of the past. By piecing together her legacy, we can better appreciate her profound influence and ensure her story takes its rightful place in the broader tapestry of American history. Cook’s recollections, alongside public commemorations, serve as a bridge between Lethe’s life and her enduring influence. Alessandro Portelli’s insights on oral history are particularly valuable in this instance, as they highlight how memories, even when factually inaccurate, can capture the emotional truths of historical events. Lethe’s legacy is preserved through public commemorations and contemporary accounts from descendants like Cook, reflecting how these spaces become a continuum of her contributions, enshrining her legacy for future generations. Events and spaces such as Alethia Tanner Day and Alethia Tanner Park continue to honour her memory, hosting activities centred on the same values of community building she championed back in the early nineteenth century. As Cook describes, “it’s a full-time job” to uncover Lethe’s story — research continuously emerges, reshaping our interpretations of her. Though her story has often been overlooked, its resonance with people is undeniable. “The heroes we seek aren’t always those in power,” as Cook says, “knowing these stories of people who toiled without the fanfare or the accolades from the powers that be,” reminds us of the strength and determination of ordinary individuals. These untold stories need to be celebrated. The individual nature of her story is deeply impactful, helping us understand that these were real people with names, and that their lives truly mattered. To fully understand her story, one must consider the turbulent environment in which she lived: Washington DC was in its early stages of development, with the capital city still under construction. The conflicts and challenges of that time resonate with the struggles and complexities of today, making her story all the more relevant. Lethe’s legacy reflects not only her resilience but also the countless untold stories of others like her. Her story endures not only in the historical record but also in the collective memory of those who honour and preserve it, as Cook reflects, “she was a linchpin to the successes that my family was able to have after that,” underscoring how Lethe’s influence shaped the course of the lives of her family and likely many others. There is still much to uncover about Lethe and other “self-makers” of her time. Lethe’s memory, therefore, transcends her individual achievements, highlighting the transformative power of collective agency in formulating new identities and strategies for liberation — defying the racial and gendered boundaries of their time and leaving legacies that influenced subsequent generations. 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