Pioneering Women

Image: Grace Wyndham Goldie, 'the first woman of television', in 1958.

The changing role of women at the BBC is explored in this unique oral history collection – featuring voices of early radio pioneers in the 1920s and 30s through women engineers during World War Two to programme makers developing content specifically for a female audience, and finally to women in top management positions. Not forgetting the BBC’s first ever female war correspondent and barrier-breaking female DJs and musicians.

Here is their story of resilience and revelation, told first hand by the women who were there.

Curated by Dr Kate Murphy, Bournemouth University and Dr Jeannine Baker, Macquarie University, Australia, with additional material by Dr Emma Sandon, Birkbeck, University of London; Dr Kate Terkanian, Bournemouth University, Professor Helen Wood, University of Leicester; Professor Lucy Robinson, University of Sussex; Dr Sejal Sutaria, Grinnell College, USA; Dr David Butler, University of Manchester; Dr Vicky Ball, De Montfort University; and Martha Kearney of the BBC.

Editorial Note

The Pioneering Women collection contains excerpts and programmes from BBC services at specific moments in time. The material should be viewed in this context and with the understanding that it reflects the attitudes and standards of that period – not those of today. Please note in particular that the website contains language which is now clearly outdated and offensive but which was regarded as acceptable by many people when first used.