On International Women's Day, we share how women from the global Leeds community are inspiring others across the world.

From trailblazing sports broadcaster to pioneering scientists, here are six stories from over the last year - as well as your tributes to inspirational Leeds women.

Your tributes

Dr Myria Georgiou

Whenever we faced an exam I fondly recall help from lecturer Dr Myria Georgiou. She was always helpful and inspiring. We were lucky to have such a good team of professors.

Muhammad Masud Chowdhury (MA International Communications 2024)

Nadine Cavigioli

Nadine inspired me to complete my masters degree and opened the door to my considering a PhD. As the first member of my family to attend university and being working class Nadine led by example and sharing her experiences of being a mature student. Nadine encouraged and supported my cohort of peers who came to university later on in life with enthusiasm, compassion and a gentle force keeping us going when we felt we wanted to give up.

Helen McGlashan (Education 2023)

Loreto Todd

Loreto Todd. A wonderful communicator of knowledge whose kindness will stay with me.

Annie Rose (English 1990, PGCE 1991)

Sheila Seddon

Sheila's title might only have been department secretary, but the place would not have functioned without her. Not only was she an excellent administrator, she was also a fabulous person to talk to. She knew every student and was often the one that people turned to when they needed help or advice. My time at Leeds was so much better for having her there and I still think of her often. I hope she knew how important she was to us!

Kieran Cooper (Music 1990)

Dr Mary Chambers

Mary Chambers was an amazing lecturer and her passion for her subject was infectious. I understand that she is not in good health sadly so she deserves some love.

Emma Fisher (Childhood Studies 2011)

Leanne Sawicki-Finer

Leanne Sawicki-Finer is one of the kindest people I know! I am so thankful that Leeds brought us together, and I am so thankful our international friendship has continued. I've been lucky enough to visit her in Canada, and I hope one day to host her in Oklahoma, USA. Leeds was a wonderful experience, and I am so thankful for this talented compassionate friend!

Rachel Benbrook (Political Communication 2014)

Hellen Pilphot

Hellen Pilphot was the Secretary at the School of Politics and International Studies. Her commitment to excellence and tireless service continues to inspire those around her and contributes meaningfully to the growth and progress of the institution. Today, we celebrate her resilience, hard work, and the invaluable role she plays in supporting academic and administrative advancement.

Oluwaloseyi Solomon Babaeko (MA Conflict Development and Security 2016)

Dr Yuan Zeng

As my dissertation supervisor and our programme leader, Dr Yuan is not only a pivotal mentor who changed the course of my life but also an inspirational woman whom I deeply respect.

She repeatedly reminded me to "believe in my own capability". Even now, I carry the light she gave me, striving to grow into someone as brilliant and inspiring as she is. She taught me that true empowerment is a gift that transcends distance and time.

Kehang Tan (International Journalism 2025)

Elizabeth Bourgeois

Elizabeth Bourgeois from the School of Law is nothing short of incredible. Struggling with my dyslexia I attended a class just before our final assessments and she asked us all how we felt about our final assignments. I talked to her about my essay and she said we could talk after class. The way she explained it and engaged with me made me see the question in a way I had not seen before. I walked away from that talk inspired and rewrote my whole essay. It was the best mark I had ever received.

She has been a massive source of inspiration and has given me so much confidence. I continued attending her classes in my Masters degree and this picture is us both receiving different awards at the Faculty of Social Sciences partnership awards in 2025. It was a proud moment to be stood alongside so many legends.

Dalton Harrison (MSc Criminal Justice and Criminology 2025)

Dr Valérie Dupont

In October 1998, I came to the University of Leeds in England to pursue a PhD project under the supervision of Dr Valérie Dupont and Professor Alan Williams.

Valérie was a huge part of my time in the UK. She explained complex concepts and was key to my research. When I presented my work at the Twenty Eighth International Symposium on Combustion in Edinburgh, Valérie and I attended every relevant seminar and poster session. We also went to Loch Tay by car to look (in vain) for a mythical monster.

My four years at Leeds not only led to a successful PhD but also shaped my personality, fostering qualities like diligence, rigor, and strong communication skills.

After returning to China in 2002, I invited Valérie to lecture on cutting-edge scientific and technological achievements at Beijing Key Lab.

Shihong Zhang (Fuel and Energy 2001)

It's not too late to pay tribute to a woman at Leeds who made a difference to you:

As the first female commentator on Match of the Day, sports broadcaster Jacqui Oatley MBE has paved the way for women in football.

When Jacqui Oatley (German 1996) became the first female commentator on the BBC’s flagship Match of the Day programme in 2007, she faced a huge backlash.

Thanks to her perseverance, determination, and skill, her voice in football – covering everything from World Cups to the Champions League – has helped young girls and women to see there was a space for them. She was a founding member of the Women in Football network, assembling likeminded individuals from different parts of the industry to promote the game.

In 2015, she was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and diversity in sport

Watch back, as Jacqui returned to Leeds to speak at our exclusive Leeds Alumni Voices 2026 event.

Read how Jacqui paved the way for women in football in our recent magazine feature

Fareda Al Wakeel helped bring together the University and a UK charity to create bespoke solutions for disabled people.

Fareda Al Wakeel (Medical Engineering 2024) began volunteering for REMAP after graduating from Leeds. The charity improves the quality of life for people who experience disability. REMAP volunteers make and adapt equipment to meet the unique needs of individuals when no suitable alternative exists.

Fareda introduced staff at REMAP to academic leads in the School of Mechanical Engineering, helping to start a new collaboration which will see students in mechanical and medical engineering, as well as product design, create bespoke solutions to help with everything from mobility and personal care to enabling people to pursue their hobbies and ambitions.  

Read the full story about Fareda's work with REMAP

On 25 October 2025, Catherine Connolly became Ireland's tenth president following a landslide victory.

Catherine Connolly (MSc Clinical Psychology 1981), an independent left-wing politician, initially studied psychology at the University of Galway in the 1970s before coming to Leeds.

After retraining as a barrister in Ireland, she was elected as a Labour councillor in Galway in 1999, becoming mayor in 2004.

Read about her new role, as Leeds historian Dr Alan MacLeod discusses the importance of the Irish presidency, and why it is so significant in modern society

For over 30 years, Jane Featherstone has been the driving force behind some of the best-loved programmes in television.

Since starting out in her first TV job as a runner on a dirt bike show, producer Jane Featherstone (History and German 1991, Hon DLitt 2019) has been on an upward trajectory.

She's behind countless memorable TV moments – from Adrian Lester and Marc Warren running naked through Trafalgar Square in Hustle; to the engineers’ suicide mission in Chernobyl; to the shocking reveal of the Broadchurch murderer.

And she still finds the time to support the creative arts which are so important to her career. She has funded Leeds PhD scholarships in the humanities and has returned to campus to talk to students about her experiences.

Read about her career, and the role Leeds played in her journey

Forced to flee the war in Ukraine, student Mariia Dmitryk is determined to make the most of every opportunity at Leeds.

Mariia left her home in Kharkiv with just a backpack. Her family had hoped the Russian invasion would end before it reached them, but when a missile landed close to their home, they knew it was time to go. She boarded a train with her brother and mother – leaving her father behind.

She eventually found her way to the University of Leeds – and a place she would be able to call home.

With scholarship support, she joined four societies in her first year. She became part of the Leeds Policy Institute and presented at the British Conference of Undergraduate Research. She joined an alumni mentoring scheme, was selected for an internship in Malaysia through the alumni-funded Global Futures Programme, gained consultancy experience at a tech start-up, and was selected for the prestigious Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholarship.

Read about Mariia's journey to Leeds, and how scholarship support is helping her to thrive

Leeds-born literary activist and theatre maker Khadijah Ibrahiim is one of Yorkshire’s most prolific poets.

Exploring themes of identity, heritage and social justice, Khadijah Ibrahiim (MA Theatre Studies 2001, Hon DLitt 2025) has performed across the world.

Khadijah is the founder and artistic director of Leeds Young Authors, an organisation providing creative writing workshops that benefit young people, particularly in under-represented communities. 

She received an honorary degree from the University in 2025.

Read about Khadijah's love of the arts – and inspiring inner-city talent