Sanmao
TRAVEL + AUTOBIOGRPHICAL WRITER
(1943 - 1991)
Sanmao was a Taiwanese traveller,
autobiographical and travel writer and translator
best known for her collection of writings in
'Stories of the Sahara' and known as the
'wandering writer'. Sanmao inspired other
young people and women to go on their own
adventures, providing escapism for readers
who couldn't leave China. She left China to
travel to Europe, studying and becoming fluent
in many languages. She travelled to more than
55 countries throughout her successful career.
She wrote about her travels, writing regularly in
Taiwan's United Daily News about her
experiences. All her stories travelled back to
China under her mysterious writer's name:
Sanmao. Sanmao's legacy lives on today as
she continues to inspire women to find freedom
and go on their own adventures in life.
Barbara Jane Harrison
FLIGHT ATTENDANT (1945 - 1968)
Barbara Jane Harrison was a British flight
attendant, awarded the George Cross for her
heroic actions saving passengers from a burning
airplane in 1969. On the 8th April 1968, British
Overseas Airways Corporation Flight 712
departed from London Heathrow to Sydney,
Australia with 116 passengers and 11 crew on
board. Approximately 20 seconds after take-off
the number 2 jet engine failed, falling off the left
wing, catching fire as fuel spread. They made an
emergency landing. Harrison was assigned with
another to open the door, inflate the escape
chute and assist passengers out. The chute
became twisted, the stewardess climbed out to
fix it but couldn't return onboard leaving Harrison
alone to get the passengers out the burning
airplane with passengers jumping and Harrison
pushing others out. With burning intensifying
Harrison stayed, going back inside to help
passengers. She died aged 22 with 5 other
passengers.
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