Our Benefactors are remarkable women who have generously contributed both their resources and time to advance the mission of FfWG. They all had outstanding careers as academics and advocates of education and learning for women. To honour these exceptional contributions, FfWG’s Foundation Grants named awards are named after our benefactors.
Professor Elizabeth Slater
Professor Elizabeth Slater (1946 –2014) was a pioneering British archaeologist, notably the first female professor of archaeology at the University of Liverpool. A trailblazer in archaeometallurgy, she reshaped understanding of Bronze Age technology. Elizabeth Slater’s leadership extended to her role as Chair of the Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG) and her advocacy for women in academia.
Lady Joan Reid
Lady Joan Reid (1932-2017) was a distinguished member and former Chair of the Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG) Board. Her legacy extends beyond FfWG as a philanthropist and advocate for education. She played a pivotal role in transforming Benjamin Franklin House into a renowned heritage site and was celebrated as Britain’s leading Franklin scholar. Lady Reid’s dedication to literacy and historical awareness continues to inspire, leaving a lasting impact on those she touched.
Nancy Catchpole
Nancy Catchpole (1929 – 2023) was a revered former president of BFWG and a champion for women’s education. She edited a significant book detailing the Federation’s history and advocated for girls’ education in science. Her efforts led to the creation of the Nancy Catchpole Bursary for outstanding science students. Nancy’s influence extended globally, representing the Women’s National Commission at the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women in Nairobi.
Professor Jennifer Ashworth
Professor Jennifer Ashworth (1939 – 2024) was a distinguished Professor Emerita of Waterloo University, Canada and an esteemed philosopher with an academic journey beginning at Cambridge University and Bryn Mawr, where she completed her PhD. She specialised in medieval philosophy, medieval and post-medieval logic, and the philosophy of language and was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Her commitment to advancing academic pursuits has also included serving as a chair and assessor for the British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG) Scholarships and the Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG) Awards, and was a valued member of the Swansea BFWG Local Association.
Theodora Bosanquet MBE
Theodora Bosanquet MBE (1880–1961) was a distinguished writer, reviewer, editor, and amanuensis to Henry James. Following his death, she published a critical biography “Henry James at Work”. She was Executive Secretary of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW) from 1920 to 1935, promoting global understanding among university women. Following her IFUW role, she became a literary editor and later a director at Time and Tide, contributing reviews and articles on art, biography, and modernist literature. In her honour, the Theodora Bosanquet Bursary for Women Graduates was established in 1973, supporting women scholars in History or English Literature.
“The grant has been invaluable to me. It gave me the freedom and stability
Mariam Gulambusssein
to concentrate on my studies, but also the clarity of mind, without having to
worry about my living expenses, particularly as I continue to face health
challenges.”
University of Liverpool 2024