This week we travel down to Mexico and cover artist and revolutionary, Frida Kahlo. A strong woman who’s life was marked by tragedy, Fridas found release though painting. And though she would live a brief life, her work immortalized her. Join us as we discuss the artist, the feminist, the bisexual, the incredible – Frida. Today we honor Mexican painter, proud feminist and open bisexual Frida Kahlo. Born in Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico on July 6, 1907 Frida was destined to be an artist. Her father, a german photographer, had immigrated to Mexico at the turn of the 20th century. And there he fell in love with a local girl named Matilde. The couple would have 4 daughters and raised them all in Mexico’s greatest city. Which in 1907 was a city that was bursting with new life. Just 40 years before Napoleon had pulled the last of his French troops out of the city and a new government was finding its way. Businesses began to open and soon a bank, post office and hospital were built, just in time for the arrival of baby Magdelena Camen Frida Kahlo y’ Calderon.  Early in life the young girl would learn to face adversity as well as find her escape. When she was just 6 years old, Frida was diagnosed with the dreaded disease of polio. In 1913 the disease was making a comeback. For centuries polio has plagued one civilization after another. Dating all the way back to the ancient Egyptians, on through the Romans, and continuing to early European societies. But for the last half of the 19th century it seemed the disease had quieted. However, early signs showed that the America’s were in for another epidemic. And little Frida was soon bedridden by the disease. Yet it was during this time that she began to truly explore her love of art. Once her doctors felt she was well enough again, Frida was allowed to re-enter society. However, she would always walk with a limp, which was a lifelong symptom of the disease. It is important in this climate of anti-vaxxers to note that in the epidemic of 1916 – just three years after Frida’s case – there were 27,000 cases reported and over 6,000 deaths from the disease in the U.S. alone (We could not find the statistics for Mexico). And that would be considered a mild year for deaths in the decades to come. As for the survivors, many – like Frida – would live the rest of their lives with serious health issues and physical handicaps. Vaccines don’t just keep us alive, they keep us healthy. Unfortunately for Frida and so many other young children during this time period, the vaccine for polio would not be introduced to the world until 1955. And it wouldn’t be until the 1970’s that the vaccine was effectively administered to most of the Mexican population. As part of her recovery, Frida’s father encouraged her to engage in sports. And not simply the “girl approved” sports of the day. But the ones that only boys were supposed to play such as soccer (football), wrestling and swimming. Not only did this help Frida to become more confident in spite of her disability, but it also proved that she was just as capable and qualified as any boy. This lesson would form a lot of her thinking in regards to equality and marginalized people. Another experience that would help was her entrance into the prestigious National Preparatory School in Mexico City.  At 15 years old Frida was enrolled and quickly became a peer favorite. She had an outgoing and confident personality. And even though she was one of only a few girls allowed to attend the school, Frida never let that stop her from doing whatever she pleased. Soon after being exposed to other intellectual and politically active young people, Frida joined the Mexican Communist Party. This was not an issue at the prep school which was known to promote a deep sense of pride in Mexican culture and indigenous heritage. However,