Ambitious and Inspiring Women Across the Ages
We had a great turnout at the National Portrait Gallery for a bespoke tour. Members and guests arrived to a glass of champagne at the gallery’s rooftop restaurant for an amazing view over London’s iconic skyline. We were then whisked away by Gayna Pelham, one of the gallery’s art experts to see four portraits in some of the gallery’s many rooms. We heard about Mary Wollstonecraft’s life as a campaigner for women’s rights and personal challenges breaking from convention in the name of love. We then heard about Mary Seacole and her courageous work setting up a British hotel behind the lines during the Crimean war. Then we were off to see Elizabeth Garret Anderson who challenged medical authorities to become Britain’s first female doctor. Finally we wrapped up with Jan Morris hearing about her brilliant writing career and fully realising herself as a woman through gender reassignment. The evening ended over the twinkling lights of London with everyone enjoying networking and lively discussion over delicious canapés.