TODAY IS THE 75TH BIRTHDAY OF WOMAN'S HOUR - IT BEGAN ON 7 OCTOBER 1946

To mark the 75th birthday of Woman's Hour on Radio 4's daily 10.00am programme, here are a few reminders (courtesy of the BBC) to give you a flavour of what women were listening to at home in 1946. 

The first edition of Woman's Hour aired on 7 October 1946, presented by Alan Ivimey. The Radio Times said he was a specialist "in writing for and talking to women." However from the early days the programme responded to the concerns of its audience, and so Woman's Hour tracked and reflected the tremendous changes in the lives of women since the end of the War.

One of the most important women at the BBC, Elise Sprott MBE  (1885-1961), joined the Corporation in 1926. Fortunately for me and members of the SWWJ, she became our chairman and president in later years. Elise was hardworking for both the BBC as their publicity envoy travelling worldwide to seek women responsible for producing material suitable for national radio. She was also one of the leading lights of our organisation and we owe her a great debt for the work she carried on in our famous society. 

By the 1940s, radio had become a vital part of our lives since the introduction of wireless telegraphy resulting in the recognition of the 'Father of Radio' Guglielmo Marconi and his work at Chelmsford (Essex) more than a century ago.  Watch this space for news of a fabulous new book soon to be published dedicated to the life of this notable character.