Rebel Girls

Once upon a time, there was a Cuban ballerina who was blind. Her name was Alicia. As a little girl, Alicia was a naturally talented dancer. She spent her days filled with hours and hours of practice. She became one of the best dancers in the world. Then when she was 19, a medical condition caused her to lose her ability to see but that did not stop Alicia. She continued to dance and choreograph. She even started her own dance company which became the National Dance Company of Cuba. [This episode originally aired May 2020.]

About the Narrator:

Yuan Yuan Tan is a Principal dancer with the famous San Francisco Ballet, celebrating her record-breaking 25th anniversary in this 2020 season. Born in Shanghai, Yuan Yuan began dancing when she was 11 years old and went on to become the youngest principal dancer in the history of the San Francisco Ballet. She also continues to perform several times a year in China where she also frequently participates in teaching workshops, competitions, and other community programs to nurture new generations of dancers.

This podcast is based on the book series also titled Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Our Executive Producers are Elena Favilli and Joy Fowlkes. This season was produced by John Marshall Cheary, Sarah Storm, and Robin Lai. This episode was written by Elizabeth Eulberg and edited by Pam Gruber. Maithy Vu proofread. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi who has also sound designed this episode. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Stay Rebel!

Kinley Rasmus just pitched SIX shutout innings and struck out 8 and she's only one of TWO girls competing this year! ⚾🔥

This week on the Weekly Sports Show, Pepper's got the scoop on:

🎾 Serena Williams is BACK at the US Open, teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz in mixed doubles at the US Open

🏆 Coco Gauff wins her second Cincy Women's Open title

🏀 THREE WNBA records fall: Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Mitchell & Angel Reese are unstoppable

👟 Billie Jean King's legendary 1973 blue shoes are BACK

And so much more!

Plus, Bay FC founding owner Leslie Osborne shares her wisdom on handling tough moments in this week's Pep Talk.

Catch new episodes every Friday as we bring you all of the news in Women’s Sports.

Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

Rie has always been around food, ever since she was a little girl growing up in her grandma's coffee shop in Japan. As she got older, she tried out different jobs in the industry– from food styling to culinary school to cookbook writing! Listen to hear how it's never too late to follow your dreams.

Meet Refilwe Ledwaba, a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, a flight instructor, an advocate for women's rights and a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation goalkeeper who made history by becoming the first black female pilot to fly for the police service in South Africa. [This episode originally aired September 2021].

Once upon a time, there was a girl who soared and swooped through the sky. Her name is Thokozile Muwamba. In 2017, at age 24, Thokozile Muwamba broke barriers by becoming Zambia’s first female fighter pilot. Today, she continues to soar through the sky and is also an outspoken advocate against cyberbullying. [This episode originally aired September 2021].

About the Narrator

Refilwe Ledwaba is a social entrepreneur, an advocate of girl’s education especially Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) education. She spent 10 years in the South African Police Services (SAPS) as a Helicopter Pilot, the first black woman to do so. She is also a qualified fixed-wing Pilot and Flight instructor ,a qualified Drone Pilot and currently training as a Drone Pilot instructor. She is passionate about youth development in Africa, particularly the empowerment of girls. She is the founder of Girls fly programme in Africa (GFPA) foundation, an information and educational STEAM programme for primary, high school and Post-school learners with a focus on aviation and space. The programme includes the use of design thinking, technology, and innovation to shape, empower, enable, and support the next generation of makers and problem solvers in the aviation and space industry in Africa while entrenching the spirit of Ubuntu.



Credits

This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls and is based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.

This episode was produced by Camille Stennis. Sound design and mixing by Mumble Media. This episode was written by Alexis Stratton and fact checked by Joe Rhatigan. Executive Producer was Katie Sprenger. Haley Dapkus was our Production Manager. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi.

A big thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team who makes this show possible! For more, visit rebelgirls.com. And if you like what you heard, don’t forget to rate and review this episode, and share it with your friends! Until next time, stay REBEL!