To mark International Women’s Day, I have put together a display of books authored or edited by a range of female staff and alumni of LSHTM. Among others there are Sari Kovats, Dina Balabanova, Virginia Berridge, Ann Mills and Anna Dixon. The topics include both the sciences and social sciences. Please do have a look next time you are in the Reading Room.
On a personal note, when I think of International Women’s Day I recall activities organized by the UCL UNISON* Women’s Group who brought such a wide range of issues to the branch as a whole, and in particular the late Wendy Biggin (picture, left) who would speak candidly about her experience of abusive relationships, and indeed showed great fortitude in resisting and overcoming institutional and cultural barriers. Wendy became involved in the union after the branch helped her to win back-pay while performing a more demanding work role. As an ally, branch member and personal friend I feel I learned a lot from her. Later on she was just about to set up her own counselling practice for women who had suffered domestic abuse when an aggressive breast cancer prevented her from doing so.
