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In an attempt to redress the gender balance among the people celebrated around College (currently over 80 statues, busts and portraits of men and only 3 of women!), the College has begun to commission portraits of the women who were pioneers at Wellington.
The first person chosen to be celebrated in this way is Pauline Williams. Pauline was one of the first permanent female teachers at College, teaching Maths here from 1978 to 1997. In 1992 she was elected the first female President of Common Room, meaning that she represented and advised the whole teaching body at College. Her portrait depicts her at her desk in the Maths Department, and was painted by professional portrait artist Hazel Morgan.
The ceremony on Tuesday to celebrate the portrait was attended by Pauline, her husband, her two children and their families. Also present were Pauline’s ex-colleagues Chris Potter and Irene Roberts. The College was represented by the Master, Second Master, Matthew Johncock as current President of Common Room, Naima Charlier (Director of EDI),and Caroline Jones (College Archivist). The student body was represented by one of the Heads of College, the student Inclusion Ambassadors and some representatives of FemSoc, all of whom enjoyed chatting to Pauline and her family.
Further pioneering women at Wellington will be celebrated in this way over the next few years.
