Pat Moss: The racing legend’s sister who beat the men

Pat Moss, Ann Wisdom

Sir Stirling Moss is not noted for his championing of female racing drivers. Women, says Formula 1 legend Moss, lack the balls – literally and metaphorically – to challenge the very best men, in any form of motorsport.

In his peacock pomp, Moss would blow kisses to women drivers as he lapped them. But mention his kid sister, Pat, and the grand old man of British racing driving adopts a more conciliatory stance. “What she managed to do was amazing, actually,” says Moss.  More

Women’s Sport Pioneers: Cyclist Beryl Burton

Beryl Burton

The hour record is considered one of cycling’s greatest challenges as riders push themselves physically and mentally to the limit.

On Saturday, Dame Sarah Storey’s lung-busting efforts at the Lee Valley Velodrome were not enough to better Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel’s women’s mark of 46.065km set in 2003.

And there is another record, set almost 50 years ago which is still standing today – the women’s 12-hour record – and it was made by Yorkshire housewife Beryl Burton.  More

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – March 2015

Sandi 1

International Women’s Day will be held on Sunday 8 March and with this in mind we have chosen Sandi Toksvig as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.

A passionate campaigner for equality and human rights, Sandi has led the charge for same-sex marriage in the UK, and is dedicated to celebrating and supporting women in today’s society.

One of the original members of the Comedy Store Players, Sandi’s hugely successful career has spanned several decades across television and theatre. She has written numerous works for the stage including her play Bully Boy at the St James Theatre, and seasons with the Nottingham Playhouse and the New Shakespeare Company at Regents Park.

A renowned broadcaster, Sandi’s work also includes Channel 4’s Fifteen to One, Behind the Headlines, The Big One with Mike McShane, Island Race with John McCarthy, Whose Line is it Anyway? and Call My Bluff. She is also a regular on BBC Radio 4 and is currently host of The News Quiz.

Sandi is the author of more than 20 novels. Her book Hitler’s Canary, which was based upon her family’s experiences living under occupation in Denmark during the Second World War, was published in 2005, and another book for children, Girls Are Best, was published in 2009. Her latest novel Valentine Grey was released in 2012, and she also has a regular column in Good Housekeeping.

In January Sandi was named President of Women of the Year, an organisation that has recognised, celebrated and inspired women of all backgrounds for 60 years and continues to shine a light on extraordinary women through an annual lunch, lecture and on-going foundation work.  She is a long term supporter of the organisation and has compered the annual Lunch & Awards for more than ten years, she  has also been one of the judges.

Sandi entered into a civil partnership with her partner Debbie in 2007. They renewed their vows in March 2014, when same-sex marriage was introduced in England and Wales, and in December 2014, their civil partnership was converted into a marriage.

 

For more information on Sandi, her life and work, see her website at http://sanditoksvig.com/

Staying Power: Photographing the Black British Experience

Black Experience Exhibition

A new exhibition featuring work by black photographers and drawn from the Victoria and Albert’s collection has opened at two venues – both at the V&A itself and at the Black Cultural Archive in Brixton. The pictures document the experience of black people in Britain from the end of World War Two through to the 1990s. Jamaican-born photographer Neil Kenlock contributed to the show, entitled Staying Power: Photographs of Black British Experience 1950s – 1990s, and spoke to the BBC about the images of hope, conflict, struggle – and the anticipation of a better life in the UK.  More