40 years of women

In celebration of 40 years since the first female students matriculated at Fitzwilliam, we have interviewed a wide range of Fitz alumnae and prominent women in the College. Where better to start than with Professor Nicola Padfield QC, Nicky Fitzwilliam’s first female Master?

Women first matriculated at Fitzwilliam in 1979, but Lisa O’Neill arrived at the College 12 months earlier. She discovered she was the only woman on site and was accommodated in the infirmary wing. Here she shares her story.

Fiona McIntosh (Land Economy 1980) competed in four Olympics as a fencer for Great Britain. She was in the second intake of women at Fitzwilliam.

Sarah Winckless MBE (NatSci Physical 1993) won a bronze medal in the double sculls at the Athens 2004 Olympics, with Elise Laverick, and won world titles in the women’s quad in 2005 and 2006. 

Sonita Alleyne (Philosophy 1985) went to school with Sharon White (Economics 1985). Sonita, the new Master of Jesus College, reflects on her time at Fitzwilliam.

Sharon White (Economics 1985) looks back on her time at Fitzwilliam. Sharon will swap her position as chief executive of communications regulator Ofcom to be executive chairman of the John Lewis Partnership in early 2020.

Ghadir Siyam (Engineering 2010) has a PhD in Engineering Design and is mentoring the next generation in her role at BP and with the Arab Innovation Network charity.

Shamma Musthapha (Engineering 1991) shares her experience of Fitzwilliam and her career to date, and her desire to get more women into STEM careers.

Krishnaa Pandya (2013) completed a Medical Studies (Preclinical) degree at Fitzwilliam, after self-belief encouraged her to apply to Cambridge.

Nuha Al-Sha’ar (Asian & Middle Eastern Studies and Education 2003) completed postgraduate qualifications at Fitzwilliam and is now an associate professor at the American University of Sharjah. She shares her experience of Fitz.

Beth Rigby (Social & Political Sciences 1994) is Sky News Political Editor. Previously a newspaper journalist for the Financial Times and The Times, Beth has become a key figure in explaining Brexit to the nation. She shares her story.

Kerry Potter (English 1993) is a freelance features journalist. She tells how she swapped Fitzwilliam for music, fashion and the mainstream media.

Judith Bunting (Natural Sciences (Physical) 1979) was in the first intake of female undergraduate students at Fitzwilliam. She is now a Liberal Democrat MEP and is the Fitzwilliam Society President for 2019/20.

Liz Woods (Natural Sciences (Biological) 1979) did not have a favourable initial impression of Fitzwilliam, but her experience transformed her view.

Mei Ling Tan (Management Studies 1999) attended the Judge Business School. She is now Country Operations Officer for the World Bank in her native Malaysia. She shares her experience.

MiMi Aye (Law 1998) takes us on a personal culinary journey from Peperamis, Waffle Wednesday and Dojo at Fitzwilliam, to a Burmese cookbook loved by Nigella Lawson.

Dame Helena Morrissey (Philosophy 1984) is a trailblazer in the City, the founder of the 30% Club, Chair of the Diversity Project and a mother of nine. 

Jo Place (Economics 1980) is the Chief Operating Officer at The Bank of England. She discusses her path from Fitzwilliam, via a brief career as a maths teacher, to The Bank.

Melika Betley (Law 1986) is the Chief Executive Officer for HSBC in Bahrain. Her experience at Fitzwilliam included cleaning bedrooms, working in a pub, and a half-blue for water polo.

Renee Mitchell (Criminology 2012) completed a PhD at Fitzwilliam. She is a co-founder of the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing.

Natalie Price (History 2012) on her studies, her love of music and her time in Scandinavia.

Clare Roberts-Garzaniti (Natural Sciences 1988) says 'There is something quite special about Fitz' as she tells of her time here.

Bem Le Hunte (Archaeology & Anthropology 1982) tells us about her nomadic and varied career and why liminality is important in the modern world.

Catherine Banner (English 2008) is an author and published her first novel while at Fitzwilliam. She also encourages others to write stories.

Mary-Clare Miller (Medical Sciences 1993) is a consultant plastic and hand surgeon and was cox of the Cambridge team which won the 1996 Women’s Boat Race.

Annalise Katz-Summercorn (Medical Sciences 2002) kept returning to Fitzwilliam in her medical training. The former Bye-Fellow shares her experience.

Peng-Ean Khoo (Economics 1990) declined a five-year scholarship in Australia to attend Fitzwilliam and has followed her own, divergent path ever since.

Rosie Cook (English 2007) worked in the City before her desire for a new swim costume saw her set up her own company.

Liz Makin (Economics 1979) was in the first intake of women at Fitzwilliam. She had some similar and some very different experiences to her daughter, Ellie Davies (Engineering 2010).

Ellie Davies (Engineering 2010) followed her parents to Fitzwilliam - but didn't tell anyone initially. She shares her experience.

Sarah Rainsford (MML 1992) tells us about a nickname earned playing football for Fitz and her career as a BBC Foreign Correspondent.

Sherry Haque (Law 2002) swapped arguing for prosecutions to fighting fires in Canada and tells us about her experience.

Salwa Elhalawani (Geography 2008) is a single mother of triplets who left her home in Egypt to pursue postgraduate education in Cambridge. She tells her story.

Helen Bettinson (History 1982) was an undergraduate at Fitzwilliam and returned to the College to work in the Development office, serving as Development Director until 2016.

Maggi Dawn (Theology and Religious Studies 1993) has had an unconventional route to become Professor of Theology and Principal of St Mary’s College, Durham.

Helen Price (Education 2010) is a current Fitzwilliam student, as well as Executive Headteacher at Hampton Academies Trust, Peterborough. She shares her experience.

Charlotte Bevan (Social & Political Sciences 2004) focused on psychology, with her fascination extending into her job as head of the Creative Diversity Project at the National Theatre.

Helen Grace (Law 1991) tells us about her experience at Fitzwilliam and a career in film.

Catherine Wood (History of Art 1992) discusses how her experience at Fitzwilliam contributed to her role as Senior Curator, International Art (Performance) at Tate Modern.

Pins Brown (MML 1992) has long had an interest in fairness, which has translated into her role as Head of Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing at The Body Shop. She shares her story.