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International Women’s Day!
13 Mar 2024
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we caught up with our former pupils Julie Thomas, Ruth Mwandumba and Victoria McKinley-Smith to hear their thoughts on this year’s theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’ and what they hope awareness days like this will help achieve in future years.
Mrs Julie Thomas
Mrs Thomas holds a special place in the history of our College, as she was among the third tranche of female students who enrolled at St. Mary’s Sixth Form after it transitioned to a co-educational school in September 1982. Despite being outnumbered by male students, Mrs Thomas navigated her way through Sixth Form and continued her studies at the University of Liverpool, eventually returning to St. Mary’s College as a dedicated Teacher of Mathematics. Through her exceptional leadership and commitment to education, Mrs Thomas progressed to the role of Vice-Principal, in which she continues to inspire and guide our students.
Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. We still live in a world where women often don’t have rights or are not treated equally so I think it is important to celebrate women’s achievements and to educate and raise awareness about women’s equality.
What gender equality issues do you think we are facing in today’s world?
Too many to write down, however, for me one of the issues that shocks me the most is gender inequality in education, the idea that just because a child is a girl means that she is not able to access education. I have two daughters of my own and I can’t comprehend a society in which they would not be allowed to go to school and university let alone follow a career of their choice.
How do you think we can strive to be a more inclusive society?
I think it’s important to treat everyone with respect, irrespective of their protected characteristics. To consider the language that we use making sure that it is not offensive and to respect differences. Difference provides richness to any community or society, listening to the views of all and recognising that we should always try as best we can to put ourselves in the shoes of others and try to improve society for all.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
I would like all girls to have equality of opportunity in all aspects of their lives. To have choices, to have an education and not to be subject to gender based abuse and violence.
Can you name a time when you have felt empowered as a woman?
I feel most empowered in the relationships I have in my life. In my professional life I have always worked with people with whom I have built strong relationships. This has lead to a mutual respect which has allowed me to progress in my career. Being supported and encouraged by my family has underpinned the feeling of empowerment.
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
On Saturdays growing up I used to visit my great-grandmother, grandmother and great aunt who all lived together in a flat in the centre of Liverpool. My great-grandmother (Nana Parry) lived to be a week off 99, she couldn’t read or write as her own mother died young so she had younger siblings to bring up. She was one of the most intelligent women I have known yet wouldn’t have been able to pass written exams. She always said that education was the most important gift a person could have. She told my mum to make sure she brought up her girls (me and my two sisters) to stand on their own two feet so that they didn’t have to rely on anyone else. This advice has been passed down through our family and was certainly the same advice I took on board and have talked to my son and daughters about.
Are there any women that inspire you?
I have recently listened to Kirsty Young’s ‘Young again’ podcast on BBC Sounds where she interviewed Melinda French Gates. I encourage everyone to listen to what I found to be an inspirational reflection on her life so far. A woman with unimaginable wealth but doing such wonderful work.
On a much more personal note, my great grandmother Nana Parry was my biggest inspiration! She died when I was thirteen but has had a profound impact on my thinking, on the way I have approached my career and in how I have raised my own children.
What action or decision have you made that you are most proud of?
The decision I made forty years ago to come to St. Mary’s as a Sixth Form pupil. Six years later I returned as teacher and have had the privilege to work with an amazing amount of highly accomplished students and staff who are interested in making society a better place for all.
Is there any advice you would give to younger women or men, to inspire a more inclusive society?
Treat others how you would like them to treat you.
Ruth Mwandumba
Ruth is a distinguished former pupil who holds an outstanding record in her sport, rifle shooting. Her sporting journey began with the College Combined Cadet Force (CCF), where her talent was discovered. Since then, she has soared to become a two-time English Champion Rifle Shooter, continuously ascending to new heights of achievement. Notably, Ruth has made history as the first female black athlete to represent England in the sport.
Ruth pursued further academic endeavours at the University of Manchester, achieving her Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical research. Alongside her academic pursuits, Ruth remains deeply invested in her passion for rifle shooting. Ruth has since been back to the college to run her successful Target Change event, advocating inclusivity and encouraging people to get involved in the sport. We also had the pleasure of Ruth being a guest speaker at our Prize Giving Ceremonies at both the College and Preparatory School in recent years, which we were delighted about as Ruth is a true role model for our pupils.
Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
It’s important because it’s an opportunity for women to be recognised for their achievements, both past and present, and to celebrate the opportunities that have been created for those following.
What gender equality issues do you think we are facing in today’s world?
Gender pay differences are a big one. Generally, women have been found to be paid less than their male counterparts.
How do you think we can strive to be a more inclusive society?
We can strive to be more inclusive by ensuring that we are respectful of everyone’s voice, whilst listening to everyone equally.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
For the next generation of young women, I would love to see better health outcomes as it has been reported that currently, women (particularly women of colour) receive worse healthcare than men.
Can you name a time when you have felt empowered as a woman?
When I shot the highest Air Rifle qualification score of any English woman or man in history, in February 2024.
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
Be independent and don’t let anybody tell you what you can and cannot accomplish.
Are there any women that inspire you?
Rosa Parks, Naomi Osaka, my mum & grandma!
What action or decision have you made that you are most proud of?
Launching the #TargetChange initiative with British Shooting, which aims to encourage a whole new audience into the world of Olympic and Paralympic shooting sports.
Is there any advice you would give to younger women or men, to inspire a more inclusive society?
Ask questions, make no assumptions, and listen!
Victoria McKinley-Smith
Victoria is a distinguished former student of St. Mary’s with an outstanding academic record. Victoria earned remarkable Grade 9s across nine subjects in her GCSEs, including Biology, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, French, German, History, Music, and Religious Studies, with equally impressive Grade 8s in Maths and Physics. Her success continued into her A Levels, where she achieved A* grades in French and German, along with an A in Music.
Currently, Victoria is pursuing her studies in French and German at The University of Oxford, where she is thoroughly enjoying university life. She has recently been chosen as a student delegate to represent Oxford at a debate at the French Embassy in London for the 2024 Choix Goncourt literary prize, chaired by the French ambassador for England. Music has very much remained a key part of Victoria’s life, building on the exceptional teaching and support of the music staff at S.t Mary’s, which is something she is very grateful for. Outside of books and the clarinet she has tested every latte and almond croissant in Oxford and is often spotted wandering aimlessly around the botanical gardens.
Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is a celebration of recognition, solidarity and inspiration, which draws together women from across the globe regardless of background to recognise their achievements. Although many improvements have been made, the problem of gender inequality is far from being solved. I recently discovered that women were only granted the right to vote in Switzerland in 1971, which highlights the importance of raising awareness through occasions such as International Women’s Day.
What gender equality issues do you think we are facing in today’s world?
I would say that the two biggest issues facing women are the war on reproductive rights and the lack of representation of women in positions of power. Instead of progressing to a more lenient and tolerant society concerning contraception and reproductive health, we are being transported back into a dangerous and dystopian society in which men are given the authority to dictate laws on women’s bodies. This problem is only exacerbated by the lack of women in politics, as underrepresentation leads to an oversight of female opinion on their own bodies due to the democratic minority.
How do you think we can strive to be a more inclusive society?
I think that education and celebration of difference are key to becoming a more inclusive society. As intersectional feminist and philosopher Audre Lorde wrote, ‘It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences.’
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
The main change I would like to see for women is to stop being unnecessarily apologetic, which is something I struggle with myself. It has been proven that women are more likely to apologise than men, which has a direct effect on women’s confidence. In a university capacity, I have equally experienced women unintentionally undermining themselves by doubting their contributions through phrases like, ‘I could be wrong but…’ or ending a well-articulated argument with ‘but I don’t know.’ This isn’t confined to university but is an issue which finds its roots in school too, which is something I would like to see change. Women should not have to apologise for taking up the same intellectual space as men.
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
I think the best advice I have been given as a woman is that ‘no’ is a full sentence. Too many times have I overstretched myself in order to make someone else’s life easier to my own detriment. Establishing boundaries is a difficult thing to do, and it can be easy to say yes to too many things or to feel that your refusal to do something requires a lengthy explanation and justification, which is not the case.
Are there any women that inspire you?
I am constantly inspired by every woman I know. I don’t think you have to be famous to be an inspiration, and it is often the small everyday actions of women which make the most meaningful differences. Navigating a world in which there is still gender inequality is a constant challenge, so witnessing women succeed and push others to do the same is a great source of inspiration for me.
Having said this, it would be remiss of me not to mention my favourite female languages duo, Mrs Elaine Ford and Ms Annett Müller, without whom I would not be where I am now. They inspired me to apply to Oxford and fostered my love for languages through their own passion and dedication, inspiring me in every lesson.
Is there any advice you would give to younger women or men, to inspire a more inclusive society?
I would advise younger men and women to listen. We spend so much time expressing our own opinions and views because that is what society tells us to do, but sometimes this excludes voices that need to be heard. To achieve inclusivity, we must listen to the marginalised and their stories and act on them, without using them as an opportunity to articulate our own personal viewpoints.
