Woman's Hour Folgen

We find out about the so-called Merry Widows of Champagne as well as the women making champagne today. Francoise Peretti, Director of Champagne Bureau UK and Joanna Simon, drinks journalist tell us more. We hear about the difficulties of being autistic and pregnant from an anonymous listener and from Lana Grant a mother with Asperger’s who's the author of From Here to Maternity: Pregnancy and Motherhood on the Autism Spectrum. Are beauty pageants still OK in 2019? To discuss is Salma Haidrani, a journalist who documented her experiences as a contestant in Miss England 2018s, Leanne Levers who's a political scientist and the journalist, Tanya Gold.Since the election last week more than 1000 women have signed up to 50:50 Parliament, registering their interest in standing as an MP. We discuss why with Lucrece Grehoua who's signed up herself and Frances Scott who set up 50:50.Single at Christmas? How do you feel about it? We talk about the benefits of the single life as well as festive dating trends with the journalist Lizzie Cernik and Rachael Floyd from eHarmony.And the big Boxing Day film will be Little Women. We talk to its director Greta Gerwig. Presented by: Jenni Murray Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Siobhann Tighe

Jo March has been an inspiration for many women over the 150 years since Louisa May Alcott’s 'Little Women' was first published in 1869. Greta Gerwig is the director of the latest film version, to be released on Boxing Day - and it's already been highly praised, Greta talks about her life-long love for the character of Jo and her passion for bringing her to the big screen. Marlene Hobsbawm and Ursula Owen have recently published their memoirs, Meet Me in Buenos Aires and Single Journey Only. Both women are in their eighties and both were born to Jewish emigres families who settled in England before the Second World War. They both married at a young age, by the standards of today, to men on the political left. Both loved music and both adored their children. But, there are also significant differences. Marlene was married to one man for 50 years. Ursula had many significant relationships. Work and feminism played a large part in Ursula’s life. Marlene established her music career much later on. They join Jenni to discuss their memoirs. And, Signe Johansen’s new book 'Spirited: How to create easy, fun drinks at home' attempts to opens up the world of cocktails to everyone and celebrates coming together over drinks. She joins Jenni in the studio to make an Oolong, Whisky and Spice Punch.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth Watts

Since last week's Election, a thousand women have signed up with 50:50 Parliament to register their interest in standing as an MP next time. What's inspiring them to get involved ?For the last five years, Annie Norman has been on a mission to make women more visible in the wargaming world. She tells us about the inspiration behind her latest collection of minitures.Professor Usha Goswami, an expert on children’s language development on how much babies understand, and why rhythm so important for developing language skills.And if keeping up with all the festive celebrations is getting too much, tips on how to avoid "social burnout".Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Professor Usha Goswami Guest; Annie Norman Guest; Frances Scott, Guest; Lucrece Grehoua Guest; Olivia Petter Guest; Louise Tyler.