Remarkable Women: Making a Difference in Education and Beyond
A new exhibition opened on Friday, 7 March in The Well, Southlands College. Showcasing 36 trailblazing women linked to the college and university, the exhibition highlights their significant contributions to education and society. It will run through International Women’s History Month, including International Women’s Day on 8th March.
Dr Christopher Stephens, Head of Southlands College, explains,
“The women in this exhibition have all made remarkable contributions to education, shaping students’ lives and helping influence wider society. Their work laid the foundation for the University of Roehampton, one of the country’s first higher education institutions to educate women.”
While education was often reserved for the wealthy in the 19th and early 20th centuries, many women studying at Roehampton came from poorer backgrounds, as their studies at three of the constituent Colleges were funded by churches. Education provided them with opportunities for advancement, and many used their positions for philanthropic work.
Curator Gilly King explains,
“The diversity of their achievements has surprised us all. From the first female superintendent of Woolwich Arsenal during WWI and the first female prison commissioner, to the first Ghanaian student at Southlands College in 1946 – who later led Ghana’s Education Department – these stories demonstrate extraordinary impact. Figures like Tina Bruce have shaped modern child-centred teaching, and the list goes on.”
Among those honoured is Roehampton’s first Vice Chancellor, Sister Dr Bernadette Porter, who will attend the opening. She said,
“We can all be remarkable women. Just believe in yourself and have an inner conviction about your strengths and weaknesses. Love others for what they are and imagine what they can be.”
The exhibition at The Well (the Chapel) at Southlands College is free and open to the public from 12–2 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Visits at other times can be arranged by request, subject to the curator’s availability.
