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The Welsh Women of Patagonia

Writer Sian Harries travels to Patagonia to explore how a group of Welsh women became the first in the world to get the vote.

It's 150 years since Welsh pioneers established a "little Wales beyond Wales" in Argentina. The history books are full of tales of brave men who transformed the hostile desert into luscious 'Welsh' farmland, who befriended the indigenous people, and whose success in building a colony is evidenced by the fact Welsh is still spoken there to this day.

But what about the women who went with them?

Many believe "Without the women, the colony would never have survived" yet their stories remain unheard.

Until now. Travelling to Patagonia herself, Sian meets the descendants of this intrepid journey and uncovers the adventures of their great-grandmothers - their courage, their indomitable strength and sacrifice. Were they granted the vote half century before the women back home in Wales? And if so why don't we know about it?

28 minutes

Last on

Wed 5 Apr 201700:30

Broadcasts

  • Sat 15 Oct 201613:32
  • Sun 16 Oct 201618:00
  • Thu 20 Oct 201600:30
  • Sun 2 Apr 201712:30
  • Mon 3 Apr 201718:30
  • Wed 5 Apr 201700:30