Support Women's Rights (and Women's Wrongs)
"Your Body, My Choice." -Giulia Tofana, probably
In 17th-century Italy, women whispered of a lethal elixir that could free them from oppressive or abusive marriages. Named after its creator, Giulia Tofana, this poison was reportedly sold under the guise of “cosmetics” and mixed into husbands’ food or drinks by desperate wives seeking liberation. The story of aqua tofana is steeped in mystery and legend, with many details lost to time—or embellished to the point of sensation. While historians debate its exact potency and usage, aqua tofana is widely recognized as a clandestine tool for women with limited options to take control of their lives…albeit in a deadly way.
Tofana’s background is shrouded in mystery, as is so often the case with women in the historical record. But it is now serving as a rallying point for women to fight back against alt-right views on gender.
Inspired by Tofana’s story (and her deadly concoction), I’ve just launched a new merch design on my Bonfire storefront in support of the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF). Shop it here.
If you upgrade or join as a paid subscriber to The Fascinator from this newsletter, all proceeds generated will also go to the NNAF.