Woman's Hour Folgen

This year saw an unprecedented number of women winning major awards and prizes. What does being a winner feel like, and is it always good to win? Jenni Murray hears from the writer Edna O'Brien who won the David Cohen Prize for Literature. The award celebrates a writer who has broken down social and sexual barriers for women in Ireland and beyond, and moved mountains both politically and lyrically through her writing. She also hears from Khadijah Mellah who won the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood, and is the Sunday Times Young Sportswoman of the Year; Natasha Benjamin who won the Lorraine Inspirational Woman of the Year Award for her work supporting children affected by domestic violence; the educator and disability activist Sinead Burke who has achondroplasia and is on the BBC 100 Women list as one of most inspiring and influential women in the world; and Laura Smith who won this year’s Funny Women Stage Award.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Dianne McGregor

Christmas is steeped in all sorts of tradition – but it’s not just trees, tinsel and turkey. Many families have their own festive rituals and the mere idea of doing things differently would make it feel… well, just not like Christmas. But why do we get so hung up on doing Christmas a certain way - even if it doesn't make us happy? What is it about human psychology that makes tradition so attractive? And if your family festivities make you want to run away and hide, what’s the best way to break the cycle?Jenni Murray talks to Dr Cristine Legare from the University of Texas at Austin about why rituals are an inevitable part of being human, and also to listeners about their stories of change at Christmas - including starting new traditions with a baby and the family forced to break tradition thanks to a kitchen fire and a large dog...If there’s one thing that most people expect on Christmas Day, it’s a Christmas dinner. From turkey and pigs in blankets to brussels sprouts and bread sauce it's a meal that many cooks dread. But according to historian Dr Annie Gray, it doesn't have to be that way. She says that if you take the long view, the only common thread from pre-Christian winter festivals to today is ‘light fire, eat meat, get drunk.’ The actual food is completely negotiable. She also explains why we cram so much food into one day, and what social history reveals about why mum generally cooks while dad gets to carve the turkey.To top off this festive feast, Jenni is joined by the Glasgow-based close harmony quartet The All Sorts with a pick-and-mix of songs both traditional - and a little bit different.Presenter - Jenni Murray Producer - Anna LaceyInterviewed guest - Cristine Legare Interviewed guest - Annie Gray Interviewed guest - Sarah Shorter Interviewed guest - Barbara Cole Walton Interviewed guest - Amy Batalli Interviewed guest - Adele Mitchinson Interviewed guest - Louella Miles

2019 has been another eventful year in Northern Ireland's second city, Londonderry. There was the shocking murder of the young journalist Lyra McKee, shot by dissident republicans and as a border city it's been at the heart of the Brexit debate. The Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont is still deadlocked over power-sharing. On a lighter note, it has also basked in the success of the second series of the hit Channel 4 TV comedy series, Derry Girls - the raucous misadventures of a group of teenagers growing up in the 90s. So what do 'real' Derry girls, from both communities, make of the past year in their city? Kathleen Carragher spoke to four Derry women who are contemporaries of TV’s Derry Girls - they were teenagers in the 90’s The actress and writer Joanna Scanlan is known for Thick of It, Getting On, No Offence Puppy Love and most recently The Accident. Her latest role is as Mother Superior in the BBC’s new adaptation of Dracula. She joins Jenni to discuss. Christmas is upon us and whilst many of us hope to celebrate and be merry, for some it is still a time of work and support for those in ill-health. Jenni speaks to Molly Case, a clinical nurse specialist for inherited cardiac conditions at St George’s in London, and author, Christie Watson who was a nurse for 20 years until quite recently. What are the highs and lows for both patients and staff spending Christmas Day in hospital?Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All – ABBA are one of the most iconic bands of all time. 'ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition' explores their incredible career through music, lyrics, costumes and personal photos, many of which have not been previously displayed in the UK. Jane visited the exhibition and discussed their legacy for women with assistant curator, Syd Moore. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Joanna Scanlan Reporter: Kathleen Carragher Interviewed Guest: Christie Watson Interviewed Guest: Molly Case Interviewed Guest: Syd Moore