Connie Bolam - Conscientious Objector
Summary
Lucy Worsley explores the story of Connie Bolam, the first woman imprisoned as a conscientious objector in WWII. Joined by barrister Audrey Cheryl Mogan and historian Dr. Lindsay Jenkins, the episode examines Bolam’s refusal to support the war effort and her principled stand against conscription. The discussion connects her historical defiance to modern protest laws and the ongoing fight for women’s rights to civil disobedience.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Lexus craftsmanship and Hasbro games
Intro: Lady on Trial and WWII conscientious objectors
Connie Bolam: First female jailed as a conscientious objector
Audrey Sheryl Mogan on the right to protest and recent clampdowns
The interwar peace movement and the Peace Pledge Union
Women's visibility in civil disobedience and protest
Connie's employer Kitty Alexander and shared political values
Connie refuses hospital work and is found guilty in court
Modern parallels: Remand, deterrence, and historical vindication
Lord Hoffman's judgment on civil disobedience and history
Sponsors: Lexus sensory details and HGTV's Totally 90s House
Connie's harsh prison conditions and principled defiance
The tribunal: Judge Richardson's scorn and conditional exemption
Judicial bias, lack of diversity, and courtroom support
Legal aid challenges and self-representation for protesters
Connie's legacy in the chain of women's peace activism
Connie's marriage, legacy of protest, and episode conclusion
Credits and BBC Podcasts Premium promotion
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