Weekend Woman’s Hour: Michelle Yoeh, Primary school suspensions, Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Nov 23, 2024
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Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh shares insights from her illustrious career, including her latest role in the film adaptation of Wicked. Katarina Johnson-Thompson opens up about her journey to Olympic success, overcoming body image issues and injuries. The discussion also highlights alarming statistics on primary school suspensions, particularly among children with special educational needs, as well as a nurse's fight for employee rights in the context of gender identity policies in healthcare settings.
Michelle Yeoh's career journey emphasizes the importance of representation and the challenges faced by Asian actresses in Hollywood.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson's reflections highlight resilience and mentorship as vital elements for success in athletics after overcoming early setbacks.
Rising primary school suspensions, particularly among students with special educational needs, underscore the urgent need for educational reform and support.
Deep dives
Katerina Johnson-Thompson's Athletic Journey
Katerina Johnson-Thompson reflects on her athletic journey, highlighting key moments that shaped her career. Initially aspiring to be a ballerina, injuries redirected her path towards athletics, where she eventually excelled as a heptathlete. Johnson-Thompson credits her success to both her talent and the guidance of mentors who helped her transition into the world of sports. Her reflections underscore the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the support system that athletes need to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams.
Michelle Yeoh's Career and Personal Growth
Michelle Yeoh shares her reflective journey from martial arts to international stardom, emphasizing key roles that defined her career. Initially regarded for her martial arts skills, she highlights her transition to Hollywood with roles in major films like 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once.' Yeoh discusses the challenges she faced while embracing her identity as an Asian actress and the importance of representation in the film industry. Her story illustrates the significance of seizing opportunities and the personal growth that comes from navigating a complex career in entertainment.
Addressing School Exclusions and Support for Children
Recent statistics reveal a troubling rise in primary school suspensions, highlighting significant challenges faced by students with special educational needs. Personal accounts, like that of Lydia, a mother advocating for her son Eddie, illuminate the daily struggles families endure due to inadequate school support systems. As Eddie battles behavioral issues and frequent exclusions, the emotional toll on him and his family becomes apparent. This situation emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in school policies to ensure all children receive appropriate support and resources.
Innovative Solutions for Chemotherapy Patients
Olivia Humphreys introduces her groundbreaking invention, Athena, a portable scalp cooling device designed to help chemotherapy patients manage hair loss. Inspired by her mother's experience with breast cancer, Humphreys aims to create a more accessible and affordable solution compared to existing technologies. With current options costing upward of tens of thousands, Athena's design focuses on using low-cost components to reduce expenses, making it potentially accessible to more patients. Her initiative not only addresses the physical side effects of cancer treatment but also emphasizes the psychological impacts of hair loss during this challenging time.
Controversies Surrounding Trans Rights in Healthcare
A group of NHS nurses, led by Bethany Hutchinson, takes legal action against their trust over policies allowing trans women to use women's changing facilities. Hutchinson expresses concerns about the emotional distress and safety faced by female staff, emphasizing the need for a balance between inclusivity and security. While acknowledging trans rights, she argues that women's rights must also be upheld within healthcare settings. This case reflects a broader societal debate about gender identity, safety, and the needs of vulnerable individuals in shared spaces.
Oscar-winning Michelle Yeoh’s career has spanned four decades. Starting out as a martial arts actor, she became a key figure in the Hong Kong action scene. But it was her role in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies that catapulted her into Hollywood. She's since starred in many hits including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the multi-Oscar winning movie - including for her own performance - Everything Everywhere all At Once. Now, she’s in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked. She joined Nuala McGovern live in the studio to discuss it.
BBC analysis suggests that the rate at which primary school pupils are being suspended from state schools in England has more than doubled in a decade. Permanent exclusion rates of primary-age pupils have also gone up, by almost 70% in the same period. Campaigners say children excluded from school at a young age experience long-term impacts. It's worth also stating that nearly 90% of those permanently excluded over the past five years also had special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The government has acknowledged the situation is at "crisis point", and says it is determined to "drive up standards" in schools. Anita Rani spoke to Lydia, whose son Eddie has been suspended from school 14 times this year.
Twenty-four year old product design and technology graduate Olivia Humphreys is a Global Medical Winner of the James Dyson Award 2024. Her invention, Athena, is a portable hair-loss prevention device for chemotherapy patients. She talks to Nuala how the product works and how her mum inspired it.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson is the double World and double Commonwealth Games heptathlon champion. This year she won the Olympic silver medal in Paris, her first ever Olympic medal. Katarina joined Anita to talk about her new book, Unbroken, in which she opens up about the pressures of representing Great Britain as a 19 year old at the London 2012 Olympics, her struggles with body image and the relentless resilience and determination she has shown in coming back from career-threatening injuries.
Bethany Hutchison is one of eight female nurses who are taking their NHS Trust to an employment tribunal for allowing a trans woman to use their changing facilities at work. Bethany spoke to Nuala about why she feels she needed to bring this case, and how she hopes it will be resolved.
The film Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal as Lucius and Connie Nielsen returns to her role as Lucilla. The sequel also includes a female gladiator for the first time, Yuval Gonen plays the role of Arishat. Anita is joined by classicist and author Dr Daisy Dunn and the film critic Larushka Ivan-zadeh to discuss how accurate this portrayal is and the role women play in the film.
