Author Archives: Mairi Gordon

About Mairi Gordon

I am currently a postgraduate student at Cardiff University working towards my PG Diploma in Newspaper Journalism. My interests include politics, history, biscuits and many other things besides. To see what I'm currently working on please visit: for posts on journalism, cardiff and digital media and for posts on pioneering women, adventure and air balloons. Cheers, M.

Astronaut Wanted: No Experience Necessary

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Mairi Gordon

Women of the Sky talks with Helen Sharman OBE, the first Brit in space. Helen Sharman was working as a chemist for a chocolate company when she heard a radio advert broadcasting a simple request: “Astronaut wanted: no experience necessary.” … Continue reading →

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The Week in Women

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Mairi Gordon

WoS has scanned the week’s news from headlines to nibs, radio to blogs, to find the news and views shaping the skyline this week… If not now, when? He’s a tabloid’s dream politician but one million protestors have taken to … Continue reading →

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Who wears the trousers? Erauso-nun with a gun

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Mairi Gordon

Catalina de Erauso had a unsual start in life, unusual at least for an officer serving in the Spanish colonial army in the 1600s.  Erauso was raised by nuns in a convent in the Basque region of Spain. Her parents … Continue reading →

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Who wears the trousers? Hua Mulan

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Mairi Gordon

History hasn’t always been kind to the women who aspired to adventure beyond the confines of the kitchen.  For centuries women often found themselves excluded from anything particularly interesting, a footnote to the great events of their time. Those who … Continue reading →

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Grab your sneakers Granny D!

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Mairi Gordon

“Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we do.” -Doris Granny D Haddock In January 1999 Doris Haddock laced up her sneakers and went for a walk. She left the sun kissed sidewalks of Pasadena, a leafy suburb of … Continue reading →

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Lady and the Zeppelin

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Mairi Gordon

On August 19, 1929 Lady Grace Drummond Hay stepped aboard the Graf Zeppelin as the only woman witness to the airship’s famous round-the-world voyage. She joined a total of 60 other passengers and crew members, all men, for the historic … Continue reading →

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Taking to the skies

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Mairi Gordon

Where are all the women?  This is a little question that hangs in the back of my mind when I walk down the streets and see statues, wonderful, proud, formidable statues like this one… and this one. even this one… Okay, so … Continue reading →

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