Madam Lou Graham
Season 1 Episode 2 Airdate December 6, 2023
Episode’s Audio
Summary of Episode
In this week’s episode, we’re exploring the western frontier of the United States in the late 1800’s and discussing the foundation and development of Seattle. Sure, we’ll touch on the lumber industry, the beautiful Puget Sound, and the Indigenous population, but we’re getting real saucy and bringing the sex workers to the forefront. Enter Madam Lou Graham.
We’re also going to learn about the immigration status of a few nationalities to give an idea of what the US was like at the time, and see the conservative side of women’s influence in politics and social conduct – especially as it began to apply to an anti-prostitution movement that still impacts the government of women’s bodies today.
Quotes From Show
But prostitution was a booming underground business in Seattle – a town full of men with new money to spend and no wives around? Sex workers and altruistic women were voluntarily making their way to the Northwest to take advantage of this. Brothels were opening up left, right, and center.
Tabitha Bear, Episode 2 Madam Lou Graham
Lou cared for children whose parents were known alcoholics or who’d lost their money in the Klondike Gold Rush… She was an advocate for the underdog and understanding of those who were not at fault for their misfortune in life.
Tabitha Bear, Episode 2 Madam Lou Graham
Hanna Brooks Olsen writes, “Graham was the closest thing this frontier had to a reality TV star. Local papers spared no detail in chronicling her fashion and baubles.”
Tabitha Bear, Episode 2 Madam Lou Graham
Transcript
PDF Attachment Block
Helpful Resources
The Damnable Dames Who Helped Shape Seattle’s Character, Atlas Obscura
Lou Graham, Seattle’s Misunderstood Madam, Seattle Met
A Note From Us
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