Inspire Me!

This week's Inspire Me! is about one of the Edwardian era's most progressive women, the irrepressible Nancy Astor.

As a member of the Longhorne family of Virginia, USA, Nancy was already well-known for her beauty, wealth and equine ability. After a disastrous marriage, she came to London and, with her saucy wit and intelligence soon became part of British high society.

When she met and married Waldorf Astor of the famous Astors, she became an elite hostess who her husband adored and respected in equal measure. The couple hosted events all of society want to be a part of and Nancy held court easily and with impeccable flair.

Waldorf succeeded his father in the House of Lords in 1919 and Nancy decided to take up her own election in the constituency. A bold, almost unheard of, ambition for a woman at this time. She came up against fierce verbal and written objections from her male peers, but nothing would deter this woman with a spine of steel.

She won her seat for Plymouth and served until 1945 when her deteriorating mental health urged her family's persuasion for her to step down.

A true inspiration of female grit and determination, I have read several biographies about Nancy and whether you love or loathe her, she is, without doubt, a true inspiration.

Rachel x