Women Inspire

The story of the pioneering nurse, who saved the lives of countless British and Allied servicemen, but who paid the ultimate price.

Known as the “Mother of the Notting Hill Carnival,” Claudia Jones dedicated her life to fighting intolerance, inequality and oppression.  In her short life she defied poverty, illness and prejudice to achieve the extraordinary.  Listen to her story here. 

“The greatest enemy of freedom is not the tyrant but the contented slave.”

Meet Kitty Marion, the music hall performer who became the most dangerous and revolutionary suffragette of them all.  We chart a journey which spans continents and explore how Kitty’s overriding belief in the rights of women drove her to extreme acts of violence and self-sacrifice.

“Shaking hands with the Queen of England was a long way from being forced to sit in the colored section of the bus going into downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.”

Althea Gibson knew from the start she was going to be somebody. Her incredible story takes her from the streets of Harlem to the courts of Wimbledon.  Listen here to how through talent and self-belief she broke down barriers and went on to leave a remarkable legacy.

Once named the most beautiful woman in the world, Hedy Lamarr was also possessed of a brilliant and inventive mind. In this podcast we celebrate a complicated, but remarkable woman.

Una Marson was once described as "the most significant black feminist of the interwar years".  Broadcaster, activist, journalist and poet she was a true pioneer, but she has often been overlooked.  Listen to her story here...