Welcome to the History Tricks, where any resemblance to a boring old history lesson is purely coincidental.

Hi, it's Susan. I know. I know. I know. Last episode I promised you a brand new one this week.

If 2020 has taught us anything, it should be that the only certain thing in life is that something surprising can come along and mess up the best of plans.

We decided this week to follow up the last episode of Victoria Woodhall, who quite honestly really didn't qualify for the presidency of the United States.

We thought we would combine two mini episodes from 2016 to talk about two women who did have the qualities necessary to be president of the United States.

First is Belville Lockwood, who ran for the presidency in 1884 and 1888, and is considered the first woman to run for president of the United States.

The second woman that we're going to be talking about today is Shirley Chisholm. In 1972, Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman to run on a major party ticket for president of the United States.

And also the first female nominee that the Democratic party ever had.

We'll be back in two weeks. We're all ready to have this conversation. We're both very excited.

As a matter of fact, this subject is someone that Beckett had put on the master list before she even came and talked to me about co-hosting the show.

That's how long Beckett Graham has been waiting to talk about our next subject.

See, we have to wait too. But until then, God willing and the creek don't rise, toss some salt, spit. No, probably don't spit. It's disgusting. Just cross everything. We'll be back in two weeks. On with the show.

And here's your 30-second summary.

Belle Veloccoe used her determination for brains and not unimportantly the press to break new ground for generations to come.

First as a lawyer arguing cases before the Supreme Court and then as one of the first female candidates for the Office of the United States president in 1884.

Surprise! This is Beckett and by myself today.

Last episode, Susan and I told you the story of Victoria Woodhoell, the first woman to run for president in the United States.

But I'm here today to continue the story of women's march to the White House with another candidate from long ago, Belle Veloccoe, who ran for the office in 1884 and 1888.

She appeared officially on ballots and was over the age of 35 when she ran, so in some minds, Belleva and not Victoria Woodhoell was the first female candidate for president.

Let's go ahead and get into it. Belleva and Bennett was born on October 24, 1830 in Royalton, New York, the second child of the five born to Louis and Hannah Bennett.

Her upbringing reminds me a lot of the sisters of Almanzo Wilder in Farmer Boy, so they're on an upstate New York farm, expected to be quite responsible and self-reliant.

She was sent to the local school, whenever it was in session, and at 14, taking the exam for a teaching certificate and becoming a school mistress, just like Laura Ingalls, if you remember who was 15 at the time she got her teaching certificate.

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