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highplainsdem

(62,318 posts) Tue Mar 31, 2026, 01:22 PM Mar 31

NPR, The Picture Show: One of the first people known to change their gender was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh [View all]

Last edited Tue Mar 31, 2026, 02:48 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/03/31/g-s1-115791/hatshepsut-one-of-egypts-greatest-pharaohs

The Picture Show
One of the first people known to change their gender was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh
Hatshepsut was one of the greatest pharaohs, and her legacy was erased and forgotten for over 3,000 years

March 31, 20261:00 PM ET
By Jackie Lay

For Women's History Month, I wanted to highlight Hatshepsut, who was forgotten to history for over three millennia and is still not quite a household name. While Cleopatra and Nefertiti are much better known, no female ruler of the ancient world was as adept and successful as Hatshepsut, which may be the key to why her legacy was erased for so long:

-snip-

Very nicely illustrated by Jackie Lay. Real art, not AI slop.

EDIT: See reply 3 for a link to photos of artifacts and a complete 340-page book about her that the Met has online.

6 replies

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NPR, The Picture Show: One of the first people known to change their gender was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh [View all] highplainsdem Mar 31 OP

No! she did not change her gender! Coventina Mar 31 #1

From the story: "Was Hatshepsut transgender? No one can say for sure, but most historians think it's not likely." highplainsdem Mar 31 #2

It's a really misleading and irresponsible headline. Shame on NPR. Coventina Mar 31 #6

What the Metropolitan Museum has online about her is wonderful. An entire book to read online or download. highplainsdem Mar 31 #3

I had never heard this. underpants Mar 31 #4

See reply 3 and the link there for the great photos and an entire book on her that the Met has online. highplainsdem Mar 31 #5