Events inspired by International Women's Day

Monday, 05 March 2018

It’s International women’s Day on Thursday 8 March. We’re starting our celebrations early this week, beginning with the 2018 Edith Morley Lecture on Monday 5 March. On Thursday 8 March, the School of Languages and Literature will host their annual International Women’s Day annual talk and debate. All University colleagues and students are invited to join our events.   

2018 Edith Morley Lecture: Vice- Chancellor in conversation with Polly Vacher MBE

On Monday 5 March (6.30 pm, Van Emden Lecture Theatre, Edith Morley), Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell will interview Polly Vacher MBE on her incredible achievements. Admission is free – book your place on the events registration page.

Polly Vacher is a Reading graduate and renowned aviator, whose motto is ‘never give up’. Seeking to raise money for charity, she challenged herself to learn sky-diving – setting off a chain of events that led to her becoming the first pilot to complete a solo flight around the world via both Poles in a single-engine aircraft; claim 3 world records and be awarded an MBE for her services to charity. Last year the University renamed the Systems Engineering building in her honour.

Professor Edith Morley

This special annual event is in memory of Edith Morley, believed to be the first woman awarded the title of professor in England. Appointed as professor of English Language at Reading in 1908, Professor Morley was dedicated to her subject, her students and her cause. She believed that women should have an equal place in academia and society, and was and was an inspiring and motivating force for the young people around her. 

Over 100 years on, we continue to celebrate Edith’s extraordinary legacy each year with an annual lecture focusing on remarkable women, past and present.  

School of Literature and Languages: International Women’s Day talk and debate

On Thursday 8 March (5.00 pm – 7.00 pm, G25, Edith Morley), the School of Languages and Literature invite all University staff and students to their annual International Women’s Day annual talk and debate – a special party celebrating female achievement over the past one hundred years, with 2018 marking the centenary of women’s suffrage in the UK.    

The party forms part of the Feminism 100 event series jointly organised by the School of Languages and Literature and the School of Humanities running over the spring term. It has been generously supported by the Vice-Chancellor’s Endowment Fund – wine and party food will be available for guests. 

To inspire debate and discussion, colleagues from English Literature, Education and History will share their views on female equality they feel most passionate about. Students will also take the floor and add their ideas to the debate. The debates are always lively and popular, igniting engaging discussions and cultivating topical dialogues between staff and students. 

There’s no need to register in advance, so please come along to room G25. Staff and students from all parts of the University are warmly welcome. If you have any queries, please contact Dr Madeleine Davies.