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2. Florrie Forde, Betty Davis, Caroline Norton, Wangari Maathai, Hoda Sharawi, Mary Tealby, Olive Shapley

Episode 2 of 3

Name an astronomer. An activist. A football coach. How many on your list were women? The writer and comedian Viv Groskop reminds us of some of history's amazing unsung heroines.

History is full of incredible women who did amazing things.

And yet, even though their legacy is still felt today, their names aren't on the tip our tongues.

We've all heard of Florence Nightingale and Amelia Earhart - but what about Annie Russell Maunder, Jayaben Desai or Josephine Butler? They're much less well known, yet they all made significant and enduring contributions to our world.

The writer and comedian Viv Groskop has been trawling the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio archives to find out about a kickass sisterhood that refused to stay at home when that's what was expected of them.

We meet the pioneering physician, Sophia Jex Blake; the Nobel laureate environmentalist, Wangari Maathai, the social reformer, Caroline Norton; the champion cyclist, Beryl Burton; we take a trip to Battersea Dogs and Cats Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to learn about its founder, Mary Tealby. And many more.

Viv also invites contemporary women to nominate their favourite unsung heroines - so we hear from Clare Balding, Cathy Newman, Samira Ahmed, Natalie Haynes, Gemma Cairney, Angela Barnes and Jessica Fostekew about the females they call phenomenal.

From ancient Rome to the 21st Century, Viv Groskop brings inspiring women out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

Producer: Moy McGowan

Made for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2020.

1 hour

Broadcasts

  • Wed 28 Oct 2020 11:00
  • Wed 28 Oct 2020 16:00
  • Wed 28 Oct 2020 21:00
  • Thu 29 Oct 2020 04:00
  • Wed 15 Dec 2021 11:00
  • Wed 15 Dec 2021 21:00
  • Sat 12 Oct 2024 10:00
  • Sat 12 Oct 2024 15:00
  • Sat 12 Oct 2024 21:00
  • Sun 13 Oct 2024 05:00