麻豆社

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 麻豆社 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 Home 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 麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2020.