On January 25, 1917, over 300 sex workers in San Francisco marched to protest the imminent closure of their brothels. This was the first sex worker led protest in the United States.

But why does January 25th still matter today? Tune into The Oldest Profession Podcast, hosted by Kaytlin Bailey, to learn more about this important date in American history. 

For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/why-january-25th-still-matters-today/

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Lizzie Lape (1853-1917) was a prolific businesswoman and Madam in the Midwest during the 19th century. She owned numerous brothels and saloons throughout Ohio and even maintained a future President of the United States as one of her regular customers. Lizzie Lape traversed the state of Ohio seeking, establishing, and succeeding in every business venture she touched. Yet most Americans have never heard of her until her great-great-granddaughter set out to uncover and share her story. This week on The Oldest Profession Podcast, we're honored to bring you the story of Lizzie Lape.

For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/lizzie-lape-ohio-madam/

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This week we are delving into the story of Maimie Pinzer, a Jewish SWer born in Philadelphia, PA in 1885. Her life was brilliantly preserved in a remarkable correspondence she had with a wealthy philanthropist, Fanny Quincy Howe. The Maimie Papers is Maimie’s side of that correspondence and gives us another first-hand account of the lives of SWers at the turn of the twentieth century. The Maimie Papers was written by historian Ruth Rosen, an award-winning journalist and Professor Emerita at University of California Davis. Ruth Rosen joins host Kaytlin Bailey to discuss the life and legacy of Maimie Pinzer.

For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/the-maimie-papers-with-ruth-rosen/

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We know that the holidays can be a lonely and weird time, especially for sex workers. So we're continuing our tradition of partnering with Jessie Sage of Peepshow Media, on collecting and compiling your stories about coming out, being outed, or staying closeted around friends and family. No matter what you’re going through, you're not alone.

Please send your (less than 5 minutes) audio files to jessie_sage@proton.me before December 1st to be included in our upcoming episode.

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https://oldprosonline.org

Mae West was an actress, writer, and unapologetic sex symbol. She enchanted the American stage with unabashed humor and demand for social change. Mae West dominated every facet of performing arts for eight decades, from vaudeville to Broadway, Hollywood to the Vegas Strip. She left an indelible legacy on this nation's history and carried a torch for sex workers.

Learn more about Mae West's legacy on The Oldest Profession Podcast, with your host Kaytlin Bailey.

For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/mae-west-unapologetic-sex-symbol/

Theme song by Adra Boo

Music by Epidemic Sound

Madison Phillips is back again for the second episode of our two part series on the Old Pros of Raleigh, NC.⁠ Madison is a recent graduate of NC State University with a masters in Public History, centered on museum studies and local history. In this episode, Madison shares more of her thesis research and riveting stories about the colorful characters who lived and worked as SWers in Raleigh during the early 1900s.⁠

For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/sex-work-in-raleigh-north-carolina

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Madison Phillips is a recent graduate of NC State University with a masters in Public History, centered on museum studies and local history. Madison wrote her thesis about the Old Pros of Raleigh, North Carolina, focused from about 1900 to 1930. Joining us for a two part series on The Oldest Profession Podcast, Madison shares her thesis research with your host, Kaytlin Bailey. The two discuss the colorful characters who lived and worked as SWers in Raleigh, NC during the early 1900s.

For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/sex-work-in-raleigh-north-carolina

Theme song by Adra Boo

The infamous madams of Water Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, were dear friends and colleagues. Mary Amazeen Baker (1859-1930) and Alta Warren Roberts (1855-1940) operated houses near each other and were well-known for their different but equally compelling reputations about town, and enduring commitments to their communities. Learn more about Mary and Alta on this week’s episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, with your host Kaytlin Bailey.

For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/infamous-madams-of-water-street-portsmouth-new-hampshire/

Theme song by Adra Boo

Music by Epidemic Sound

Known as the “Diamond Queen of the Demi–Monde,” Lulu White was one of the most notorious and financially successful madams of the Storyville red-light district of New Orleans. Much of Lulu White’s early life remains a mystery, but we do know that she was born in Selma, Alabama in 1868, and over the course of her life, she named Cuba, Alabama, and Jamaica as her birthplaces. Learn more about Lulu White and her legacy on this week’s episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast with Kaytlin Bailey.

For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/lulu-white-storyville

Theme song by Adra Boo

Music by Epidemic Sound

In 1867, Madam Fan Jones bought the Sky Blue House of Pleasure just outside of Bangor, Maine’s red-light district called “The Devil’s Half Acre.” The Sky Blue House of Pleasure was the most popular and longest running brothel in the city and stood until 1950. Today it is the site of a parking lot for the Federal Building in downtown Bangor, but her story lives on. Learn more about Madam Fan Jones and her legacy on this week’s episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast with Kaytlin Bailey.

For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/madam-fan-jones-maine

Music by Epidemic Sound