Episode 9.1: From suffragettes to dragon riders

Meet Rebecca Scofield, chair of University of Idaho’s Department of History specializing in American history. Scofield brings new insights to the visuals of women riding astride bicycles, horses, mechanical bulls and dragons throughout history and fiction and how that informs our current economy.

Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu.

Growing up, did you ever ride horses?

Scofield’s research examines how women’s relationships with horses, bicycles, motorcycles and even mythical creatures have shaped cultural ideas of gender, power and independence throughout history. The conversation delves into the 19th-century suffrage movement, during which women challenged societal norms by riding astride instead of sidesaddle. Figures like Inez Milholland and Ida B. Wells used horseback riding and bicycles as symbols of female empowerment. Scofield also explores the lasting appeal of “horse girl” fiction, which fosters narratives of self-discovery and resilience.

The discussion expands into dragon-riding heroines in fantasy literature, from Anne McCaffrey’s “Dragonriders of Pern” to “Game of Thrones,” revealing deeper feminist themes. Through literary and historical analysis, Scofield highlights how these stories continue to shape ideas of agency, identity and the fight for equality, offering listeners a fresh perspective on the enduring cultural impact of women and their mounts — both real and imagined.

Time stamps

(0:00) Introduction 
(1:32) Do you ride? 
(2:14) Introduce Rebecca Scofield 
(3:29) What intrigues you? 
(5:36) Suffragettes 
(10:10) Horse girls 
(13:41) Mechanical bull riding 
(16:24) Dragon riders 
(24:04) Why is women’s history important? 
(26:37) Culture is important

Music

“Young Republicans” by Steve Combs via freemusicarchive.org, not modified. 
“Riding Out” by Magnum Opus Music Library via Amphibious Zoo.