90 years of supporting women graduates

Media Release

Federation of Graduate Women Wellington Branch

Tuesday 29 May 2012

90 years of supporting women graduates

The Federation of Graduate Women Wellington is celebrating its 90th year of supporting the education of women – and to mark the occasion, will be announcing a special NZFGW Wellington Branch ‘90th Anniversary Dr. Agnes Bennett Award’.

Branch President Joy Dunsheath says, “The Wellington Branch is pleased to announce this special Award to mark our 90th year. The value of the Award is $10,000, and is to be used towards professional development to assist a woman from the Wellington region who is at the threshold of her development as an aspiring or new director”.

The Wellington branch have gathered and maintained an impressive array of academic regalia which is hired to graduates annually. With income from this enterprise, and through bequests and donations, the Branch, through its Charitable Trust supports women to enter and progress at tertiary level through an array of scholarships and grants. Dr. Agnes Bennett was the first branch President for Wellington, and the branch still has her academic gown.

“Last year our Charitable Trust disbursed $167,500 in 32 grants and scholarships. This year we will distribute grants to the same level, in addition to this $10,000 90th Anniversary Award”.

“Over the last 10 years $1.2 million has been disbursed to deserving women and girls by the Branch in scholarships and awards. By providing scholarships and financial awards to those in need, we directly help women have the opportunity to participate in tertiary level education”.

Grants are not only to university students but are awarded to Second Chance students, non-traditional career students and new migrants.

The Wellington Branch is also active in drawing the attention of the public and those in power to issues which affect the participation and achievement of women.

Dunsheath says, “There is a significant increase in women graduates. In 1922, the year our Branch was established, there were 12 women graduates at Victoria University and another 30 in other universities in New Zealand. This year the number of female graduate at Victoria University was in the thousands”.

“Our members, as graduates themselves, are aware of what education can do for women. We continue to do all we can to make this possible for all women – we’ve worked over 90 years as volunteers and supporters for other women to achieve their potential through tertiary level education”.

There are nine branches of the Federation across New Zealand. The Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women (NZFGW) is a national affiliate of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW). www.nzfgw.org.nz

IFUW was founded in 1919, with headquarters in Geneva. It has NGO consultative status with the United Nations and comprises 75 nationally affiliated federations. www.ifuw.org

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