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The Mayor of London’s office hosted 14 of our Year 9 and 10 students at their very own International Women’s Day event at City Hall.

This event used International Women’s Day to shine a light on some of the women in the UK who have found success in traditionally male-dominated sectors, in order to encourage others to pursue their career ambitions.

The event was a fantastic way to make our students realise that no career path is closed off to them in the future. The day involved some valuable career advice from women who work in STEM industries; subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The event was held in the City Hall conference room with panoramic rooms of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the skylines of Central London.

The event involved six different speakers who each presented a 15 minute talk about their backgrounds, how they got to where they are today and the barriers they have faced to gender stereotyping in their industries.

First to speak was Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton known as the ‘most influential woman in fire.’ She is the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the fire brigade and whilst training as a fire officer, studied as an experimental psychologist allowing her to research decision-making in a real fire situation from the view of an operational commander.

Second to speak was Helen Grant MP who entered Parliament, after successfully defending the seat left vacant by Ann Widdicombe. She is the first and still the only Anglo-African female Conservative MP and former Minister.

Next up was Roma Agrawal – the structural engineer that spent six years designing The Shard. Roma has given two TED talks, has appeared on the BBC, ITV and is currently writing her book called ‘Building Storeys’ about how we build our world, to be published in 2017.

The fourth speaker was Air Vice-Marshal Elaine West CBE – the highest ever ranked female in the British Armed forces. She joined the RAF in 1978 and since then has held the role of Project Director Regional Prime Contracting, then head the Royal Air Force Infrastructure Branch. She was then promoted to the rank of Air Commodore and now works for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Next up Dame Jil Matheson - who was the first female National Statistician, Head of the Government Statistical Service and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority from 2009.  

Last up to the stage was a top-achieving 20 year old Mechanical Engineering student from the University of Plymouth called Temi Danso. Temi beat 200 applicants to earn the Range Rover Evoque WISE scholarship, which was presented by HRH Princess Anne at the Women in Science and Engineering awards. She gave the girls advice about what career paths are available in Physics, Maths and Design.

The speakers’ insights into STEM subjects and male dominated industries were empowering and inspirational and certainly made our girls consider the disparity between male and females in the world of work. The event was also a great opportunity for our girls to network and talk to these speakers and ask any questions they had. What a fantastic day we had in London’s very own chamber for the London Assembly and such a great experience for us to meet and greet such inspirational woman in the UK.

Happy International Women’s Day from Harris Girls’ Academy!

Miss Hearle – House Co-ordinator