A head-twirling tale of fairies, firebirds and en pointe feats! Maria Tallchief is a trailblazing dancer who leapt into fame to become America’s first Prima Ballerina. Her technical precision and unique style of dance—full of energy, speed and passion—put American ballet on the map. Early in her career, she was told to change her last name, but Ms. Tallchief refused to hide her Native American heritage and Osage roots. Her successful dance career and worldwide adoration proved the naysayers wrong!Join us for future "Hidden Heroes of History" episodes of the Dorktales Storytime Podcast where you’ll discover more hidden heroes in science, technology, engineering, arts, math and human rights who changed the world. Join us as we uncover the stories of the STEAMers and dreamers who made history!Find more information about Maria Tallchief: https://jonincharacter.com/maria-tallchief/ Visit the Dorktales Storytime Podcast website: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/FOLLOW US: If our storytelling brings you some joy…and a few laughs, please follow us in your preferred podcast app so future episodes will automatically show up in your podcast library. We’d be so grateful if you helped us grow, by letting others know about our geeky tales too.Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!Members of Kids Listen – advocates for quality podcasts for kids: https://www.kidslisten.org/Please rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/dorktalesJoin our mailing list: https://bit.ly/dorktales-signupBONUS CONTENT: Additional downloadable content and activities for our Hidden Heroes of History episodes will be available for free to our mailing list subscribers so please make sure you sign up.CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s hero story was written by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Studio Circle Recordings. OUR PODCAST FRIEND: We wanted to let you know about our friends at “Fairies and Dragons, Ponies and Knights!” They have created a fairy-tale podcast for humans of all ages where you can join Beatrice, a mother dragon and her five draglings on their adventure to find their stolen egg. Check them out wherever you listen to podcasts or go to dirtroadtheater.com. Support the show