Pioneering Women Special

A celebration of the achievements of some of Britain's most inspirational women, filmed in the Houses of Parliament and marking 100 years since women first won the right to cast their vote in 1918. Starting with the suffragettes and ending with modern-day heroines and history makers, the programme looks at women who have broken down barriers in every aspect of life. Among those featured is Christina Broom, the first female press photographer, who produced wonderfully intimate portraits of suffragettes, troops in Chelsea Barracks and the royal family. Presenter Fiona Bruce meets Tania, the daughter of Violette Szabo, the British secret agent who was executed for helping the French resistance. There are also stories about the first female Olympic gymnastics team, profoundly deaf Florence Attwood, who became chief designer for a leading toy company, and polar explorers Ann Daniels and Caroline Hamilton. Roadshow expert Elaine Binning meets long-distance swimmer Brenda Fisher, now 91.