The Lady Magazine

23 June 2017

Dear Readers, One of the joys of being the editor of The Lady is the weekly reminder of the quiet heroism and understated achievements of so many women; some of them celebrated, many of them not. It helps that we have such a remarkable role model in HM the Queen, whose impromptu decision to visit survivors and members of the emergency services in the aftermath of the horrific fire at London’s Grenfell Tower lifted the nation’s spirits, while the inclusion of a one minute silence at the Trooping of the Colour reminded us that we should always honour those tragically taken from us. Seventy-five years ago this month, Susan Travers showed the same devotion to others, leading 2500 Allied troops and legionnaires to safety at the WWII siege of Bir Hakeim in Libya, and became the only woman to be made a member of the French Foreign Legion. Yet, as her friend Wendy Holden tells us, until recently, not even her closest family had any idea. There can be no doubt of Winston Churchill’s ability to put country before himself, but how many also knew that this brave British Bulldog was a complete softie with a marmalade cat called Jock? Meanwhile, our cover star, the multi award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, tells us why she won’t let anyone break her spirit and why she has moved her family (and chickens) to Nashville… Until next week, best wishes Sam Taylor, Editor