Pictured: Alicia Alonso

Matthew Bannister on

Alicia Alonso, the Cuban ballerina who went on dancing when her sight began to fail. She also set up the National Ballet Company of Cuba.

Deborah Orr, the witty columnist who also edited the Guardian Weekend magazine.

Joyce Cansfield, the British Scrabble champion and 1983 Brain of Mensa who set more than a thousand crossword puzzles for the Times.

Clora Bryant, the American trumpeter who overcame sexism to forge a career in jazz.

Interviewed guest: Mike Lanchin
Interviewed guest: Sarah Crompton
Interviewed guest: Louisa Young
Interviewed guest: Nigel Williamson
Interviewed guest: Alyn Shipton

Producer: Neil George

Archive clips from: Witness: The First Lady of Cuban Ballet, BBC World Service 28/10/2015; Off the Page, Radio 4 19/07/2010; Carrie Fisher: Guardian column by Deborah Orr, 04/01/2017; Motherwell by Deborah Orr, Orion January 2020; Woman's Hour, Radio 4 26/12/2017; Catchword, BBC Two 02/02/1988; Cross Talk, Radio 4 07/01/2001; Countdown, Channel 4 1982; Central Avenue Sounds Part 3, Radio 3 24/02/2001.