Marking International Women’s Day, the University hosted a celebration of the impact women from Queen’s have made across the globe. Joined by women graduates, honorary graduates and students across a range of fields and sectors, the event showcased the enormous effect of women of Queen’s from the infamous poet and playwright Helen Waddell to the first ever woman Chief Justice in Northern Ireland, Dame Siobhan Keegan.

Welcoming the event, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said: “Women have long made their mark at Queen’s University. From pioneering innovative research on global diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, cancer and eye disease to leading the way in the arts, politics, policing, business and engineering. Our University is proud of the impact the women of Queen’s continue to make across the globe, the inspiration they provide to other generations and the legacy they have left.

“And it’s important to reflect on how far we’ve come – opening in 1845 with men-only enrolment for more than three decades to setting the agenda in gender equality and with a woman at the helm as Chancellor. Queen’s continues to influence innovation across our society.”

Some of the Queen’s graduates and honorary graduates speaking at the event were:

• The Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland’s first women Chief Justice;
• Dr Theresa Donaldson, the first women and external chair in the history of Belfast Harbour Commissioners;
• Dr Bronagh Hinds CBE, the first woman to be elected as President of an Irish university student's union; and
• Emily Logan, first ever Ombudsman for Children in Ireland and will soon be formally appointed as the first ever Ombudsman for Policing in Ireland.

Speaking at the event Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Topping said: “Queen’s has made a significant imprint on society over our 180 years. Whilst it took a few decades, Queen’s was the first College in Ireland to admit women, and the changes and achievements that have been made during that time have been due to strong voices and people not afraid to push the agenda forward. This has resulted in Queen’s being the only university on the island of Ireland to hold a Gold Athena Swan Award.

“To mark International Women’s Day, it’s a pleasure to take time out of our busy lives to celebrate those who have inspired us, who have forged pathways for us, and who continue to push boundaries to make room for us.

“We are honoured to welcome former graduates, friends and supporters of Queen’s who have contributed to education, research, law, politics, the arts, policing, business, innovation, science, engineering and equality.

“They are all making an impact on our society; and they are paving the way for the future students and graduates of Queen’s.”

The event also included an all-woman line up for the annual Student of the Year and Alumni Volunteer of the Year awards which celebrate those whose dedication, achievements and values embody Queen’s values. This year, postgraduate student Caitlin Chee picked up Student of the Year 2024/25 and the Queen’s Women Graduates Association were awarded Alumni Volunteer of the Year 2024/25 for their work supporting women’s education over the past 100 years.

Closing the event, Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas and Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s added: “It’s important to take stock, to reflect and to appreciate what we, as women, achieve in the workplace and the enormous contributions we make to society.

“We have heard from trailblazers and those who have found themselves making history; we heard the challenges and learnings of those who have navigated adversity with courage and determination; we reflected on the evolving landscape of women’s roles in various sectors and the steps needed to support and empower the next generation of female leaders. And we have had practical insights, real-world examples and actionable strategies to drive positive change and amplify influence.

“I very much believe that the women of Queen’s will continue to build on those successes and achievements now and into the future.”

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For further information contact ciara.oneill@qub.ac.uk.