Matthew Bannister on

George Shultz, the US Secretary of State during the Reagan years who came close to brokering a deal to abolish all US and Soviet nuclear weapons.

Yvonne Conolly, Britain’s first black female head teacher who overcame racism to become a role model for others.

Maureen Colquhoun, the first UK member of parliament to be openly in a same sex relationship. When they heard the news, her local Labour Party deselected her.

Christopher Plummer, the Canadian born actor who played many roles on stage and screen, but will always be remembered as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Angela Errigo

Interviewed guest: Rose Gottemoeller

Interviewed guest: Philip Taubman

Interviewed guest: Denise Patrick

Interviewed guest: Dame Angela Eagle

Interviewed guest: Peter Tatchell

Archive clips from: Maureen Colquhoun on Countdown to Number 10, Radio 4 TX 3.5.1979; I Was Britain’s First Black Headteacher, BBC World Service TV, TX 8.3.2020; West Indian Teacher, Pathe News TX 1969; William Shatner’s memories of Christopher Plummer, BBC World News TX 5.2.2021