Notorious Women Wrongly Accused

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about notoriety and women who unwillingly gained a place in history. It is worth considering that all of these women, in one way or another, were victims of male domination and conquest. Historically, when the jizz hits the fan women become the scapegoat for poor masculine decision-making while simultaneously being considered incapable of handling power roles effectively. Ladies have literally lost their heads while emotionally carrying the weight of over-zealous masculinity. But, let’s not exonerate the role female judgment has played in the patriarchy. Women have long been the passers-down of propriety to other women, keeping us effectively in our place lest we be ostracized from the group. The outcomes of these behaviors have had dire consequences—abuse, victimization, indecision, disenchantment, depression, and suicide for starters

Enjoy the list and let me know which notorious women wrongly accused that you think I missed.

Mary Magdalene—The most famous prostitute in history wasn’t actually a prostitute. She was a devout follower of Jesus and gave financial support to his Gospel. Some say she may have been his wife or lover. Her vision of the resurrection is also not completely clear, some say she saw “visions” while others insist she saw the physical resurrection of the body.  What is known for sure known is that she bore witness to Jesus’ crucifixion and Pope Gregory the Great used the lack of clarity around her relationship to Jesus as an opportunity to create a story that benefitted the Grego-Roman church, a story that stuck. 

Marie Antoinette—(French Revolution – 18^th century) Raised to be royal, aloof, untouchable, she became exactly what was expected of her.  At 14, she was forced to marry for politic not love. Despite popular opinion, she often considered the state of her people, but in the way the rich consider the plight of the poor, without proper understanding. Her already tarnished reputation was hurt more as she became a very real victim of fake news with regard to The Affair of the Diamond Necklace. The backlash against her, which came from a very real place of people starving while the rich got richer, was likely directed her way more because she was a visible icon than her own actual decision making—let’s not forget that men were making the real laws of the land. Oh, and that “let them eat cake” quote…she never said it.

Anne Boleyn—(English Reformation – 16^th century) Seen as conniving and manipulative, which may have been true simply by virtue of her circumstances, she was vilified for her inability to bare a male heir and forced to admit to crimes she didn’t commit. No surprise she was accused of witchcraft —the modern day version of which is, “my ex is such a psycho.”

Marilyn Monroe—The outgoing, charismatic, “ditzy blonde” sex symbol alter ego of the shy, intelligent, thoughtful Norma Jean Baker.  She loved easily and was victim to the “chase ‘em down only to find out their real” syndrome faced by many women and the men who purport to love them. She was seduced and betrayed by very powerful political figures. Also, sadly, she was stigmatized as the harlot by women of her era who saw her downfall as the direct result of her own sexual promiscuity.

Tonya Harding—A talented skater who had to scrape and scratch her way up the ranks in the sport. Despite her talent, she was neither standard pretty, wealthy, or well liked. Everything she got was a direct result of her work ethic, a backbone of steel, and a few people who believed in her abilities. She mistakenly loved the wrong, manipulative man who thought he could ride the coattails of her fame for profit and gain. Her villainy was a direct result of believing the best in someone she cared about instead of seeing the truth of the situation. Not an unfamiliar characteristic of many women.

Lorena Bobbitt—Cut off her husbands penis and threw it in a field. As it turns out, John Bobbitt was physically, sexually, and psychologically abusing her. Many witnesses gave accounts of this abuse. He threatened to find her and harm her whether they were together or not. She suffered both from depression and PTSD. During her trial, her testimony stayed consistent while his changed various times. He was later acquitted of any wrongdoing. She was also acquitted by reason of insanity. John Bobbitt later went on to star in two pornographic films. In 2007, Lorena founded Lorena’s Red Wagon, an organization dedicated to helping prevent domestic violence.

Jessica Hahn—The femme fatale who supposedly seduced televangelist Jim Bakker. She was 21-years-old at the time and working as Jim Bakker’s secretary when he and another preacher, John Wesley Fletcher, drugged and raped her. They then went on to give her $279,000 to keep her silent, even keeping separate books to hide accounting irregularities. She eventually came forward. Bakker had to step down from his multi-million dollar posts as head of PTL Satellite Network and Heritage Industries and was eventually imprisoned for fraud. He was released from prison after almost five years and returned to televangelism with the Jim Bakker Show. Hahn now lives on a ranch with her stunt man husband.

Monica Lewinsky—Known for her infamous blue dress. An intern of one of the most charismatic POTUS in history, she was taken by his charm and began a consensual, extra-marital affair. When President Clinton was accused of sexual harassment by Paula Jones, and came under increased scrutiny, Lewinsky’s relationship with Clinton was revealed by someone she perceived to be a friend. This co-worker, Linda Tripp, had secretly been recording her conversations with Lewinsky. She had also convinced Lewinsky to save gifts from Clinton and the blue dress with his semen. While Clinton denied a relationship with Lewinsky, she seemed genuinely hurt. Lewinsky, despite her pariah status, went on to build a pop-culture status for herself and become something of an icon.