International Women's Day 2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual International Women’s Day event at the College on Saturday 7 March 2026. It was a wonderful afternoon that brought together alumnae, students, Fellows and supporters to celebrate women’s voices, experiences and achievements across a wide range of fields.

The event had a warm and engaging atmosphere throughout the day, with lively discussion continuing between sessions and into the evening reception and dinner. Guests reflected on shared experiences, professional journeys and the importance of supporting women across industries and generations.

Photo credit: Dasha Tenditna

We began the afternoon with an engaging In Conversation between Acting President, Dr Rachel Polonsky and alumna Barunka O’Shaughnessy (New Hall 1993), a BAFTA-winning writer and creator working across stage, film, television and radio. Barunka reflected on her creative journey from performing during her time at College to building an impressive career as a writer and creator. The conversation offered fascinating insight into the creative industries, women’s voices in comedy, and the realities of building a career in television writing.

We then welcomed alumna Maxine Nwaneri (New Hall 2007), a #1 Amazon International Bestselling Author, international speaker, executive coach and business consultant. Born in Nigeria and raised in London, Maxine shared her powerful personal story, reflecting on her journey from significant early-life challenges to building an international career spanning finance, leadership and personal development following her MBA at Cambridge. Her talk, The Future is Greater – Give to Gain: Four Keys to Unlocking the Power of Generosity, explored how strategic generosity can accelerate success, the mindset shifts that can transform personal and professional trajectories, and practical tools that attendees could begin applying immediately. Maxine’s honest and empowering talk resonated strongly with the audience and prompted an enthusiastic Q&A session with many thoughtful questions.

The afternoon concluded with a drinks reception and dinner in the Dome, where conversations continued in a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere. It was particularly encouraging to see alumnae from different cohorts reconnecting with one another and sharing their experiences with current students and members of the College community.

International Women’s Day continues to be a special opportunity for the College to celebrate the achievements of our alumnae and to reflect on the role of Murray Edwards College in championing women’s education, leadership and representation. We are grateful to our speakers and to everyone who joined us to make the day such a memorable and inspiring occasion.