I do not think it any exaggeration to say that for a certain generation, of Englishwomen at least, she fulfilled much the same role as did Madonna for the generation of women who were young in the 1980s & 1990s – a woman who made it from humble beginnings, made the most of her glorious talent, was independent & had fun. Then died (of breast cancer) at the tragically early age of 41.
For my mother there were the extra connections – that she was a Lancashire lass & had worked as a telephone operator.
In the period between the two world wars, telephone operator was a really good job for a woman, offering independence, skill, prestige, responsibility & trust.
So I grew up knowing that Kathleen Ferrier was a role model & heroine.
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