Speaking Out

In this monthly series, broadcaster and acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant, delves into the past to help frame the present, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries. Taking a different modern day anxiety, hope or idea as its starting point each month, the series considers how certain questions are constant, yet also change their shape over time. This month, as waves of accusations about sexual harassment and abuse continue to swell, Sarah looks at times in history when women have spoken out about male behaviour, the demands the women made, and their struggles to effect change. From the 19th Century American housewives calling out male alcoholism to the first female MPs demanding that the 1920s establishment confront the problem of child sexual abuse, When Greeks Flew Kites uses history to inform our understanding of today's extraordinary moment. What responses do women face when they threaten male power? Can you challenge and change culture? The guests are Professor Paul Keen from Carleton University, Professor Elaine Frantz from Kent State University, Dr Lucy Delap from the University of Cambridge, and Jennifer Scott, Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery. Presenter: Sarah Dunant Producers: Katherine Godfrey and Nathan Gower Executive Producer: David Prest Readers: Matt Addis and Karina Fernandez A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.