Forthcoming Alumni Events

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the forthcoming St Hugh’s College Jubilee Lunch for alumnae who matriculated in 1950 or earlier, 1960 and 1970 has been postponed (new date to be announced). While we are of course very disappointed that we will not have the opportunity to celebrate with our alumnae in person on 13 September 2020, the safety and wellbeing of our guests, staff and students is of the utmost importance, and we are looking forward to seeing you in better times.

While we may not be able to welcome our alumnae back to St Hugh’s this September, we certainly do not plan to let this special occasion go unmarked. One of the highlights of the Jubilee Lunch each year is the sharing of memories of St Hugh’s and hearing your stories of your time as a student. This year, as we cannot be together, we would be delighted if alumnae from invited years would get in touch to share memories of St Hugh’s with the Development Team, whether by email, telephone, video or post, along with copies of your favourite photos from your student days (please do not send us original photos). We plan to combine your contributions into a special commemorative presentation to be made available to all those who were invited to the Jubilee Lunch.

The Development Team is working remotely, however you can contact us as usual on development.office@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk, +44 (0)1865 613839 or by post to The Development Office, St Hugh’s College, St Margaret’s Road, Oxford, OX2 6LE, UK.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our Reunion Dinner for alumnae who matriculated between 1973 and 1977 has been postponed (new date TBC). We have emailed all those who had purchased a ticket with details of how to claim a refund. If your email has not arrived, please contact the Development Office on development.office@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk and we will resend it to you.

Please note that the Alumni Association AGM which was to have been held on 26 June 2021 has been postponed to Michaelmas Term 2021. The new date will be confirmed on this webpage when it is fixed.

On Saturday 18 September 2021 the St Hugh’s College Alumni Association is holding the latest in its series of popular symposia on the achievements of distinguished St Hugh’s alumnae:  “Barbara Castle MP – You’re Only A Woman, What Do You Know About It?” The symposium will close the College’s series of events celebrating 100 years of Oxford degrees for women.

The Rt Hon Baroness Barbara Castle of Blackburn (PPE, 1929) has been called the most outstanding female politician the Labour Party has ever had.  Her nickname of the Red Queen in the Press was not only because of the socialist politics which had imbued her since childhood – but her immaculately-styled bright auburn hair.

Elected to Parliament as the youngest MP, she represented Blackburn for 34 years; was the fourth woman to sit in Cabinet; and the first and only woman to hold the office of First Secretary of State, effectively deputy Prime Minister to Harold Wilson.  She was the founding Cabinet Minister for the Department of International Development; the Minister of Transport who introduced the speed limit and seat-belts; the Secretary of State for Employment who introduced the Equal Pay Act 1970; and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Services who introduced a wide range of disability reforms and Child Benefit paid directly to mothers.

Never afraid to take the battle to the enemy, as a Eurosceptic she finally served 10 years as the Member of the European Parliament for Manchester to ‘fight in every available forum and at every opportunity’ – a fitting metaphor for her career.

Please note that we are not yet sure whether this event will be able to go ahead in person, or whether it will be held virtually. Further details and booking information will be available on the website in due course.