By Rosemary J Brown, author of Following Nellie Bly: Her Record-Breaking Race Around the World.
Nellie Bly fans unite! The life and lessons of the intrepid journalist will take centre stage in the Royal Geographical Society’s Ondaatje Theatre when BBC news presenter Martine Croxall delivers ‘Investigating Nellie Bly: reflections on journalism and the power of curiosity’ for the Monday night lecture on 26 September.
Nellie Bly is celebrated for her 72-day world trip in 1889-90 when she circled the globe faster than anyone ever had. She is also hailed as the pioneer of investigative journalism. More than a century later, Martine Croxall will show us what we can learn from Nellie’s ambitious reporting.
Last spring, Martine walked away with the BBC Celebrity Mastermind programme trophy when she aced the competition using Nellie as her specialist subject.
Nellie’s achievements in so many areas—journalism, social justice reform, industry—drew Martine to choose her. “I assumed not too many viewers would know about her so there’d be something to learn about a woman who I believe deserves greater recognition.” said Martine. “I’m a journalist and union rep, campaigning for equal pay so feel I have a certain affinity with Nellie.”
The aim of her RGS lecture is to ‘spread the news’ about Nellie Bly. “I want to tell the audience about how remarkable she was as a pioneering investigative reporter in an era when women just didn’t do that sort of work. I hope to make comparisons with how we work as journalists now. And I think we will conclude that Nellie ‘travelled well’, as the RGS encourages us all to do.”
Martine has invited fellow Nellie Bly aficionados on stage for question time following her lecture. I am delighted to be joining her along with Louisa Treger, author of Madwoman and Nicki Stiastny, Martine’s friend and colleague who, like me, re-traced Nellie’s world trip.
Following Nellie Bly: Her Record-Breaking Race Around the World by Rosemary J Brown is available now for £19.99.
Copies are available in store, online and at the Stanfords pop-up at the RGS where you can get a signed copy if you are attending this talk.