Most influential women and non-binary Cambridge students 2020: Part two
Because one article wasn’t enough!
This year, only one woman was voted into the top 10 of The Cambridge Tab’s annual BNOC list. Many students criticised this, and rightfully so; there are so many powerful and influential female and non-binary students leading JCRs, sports teams, political societies, student papers and more. Therefore, after receiving your nominations, we have put together a collection of women and non-binary students who are shaping and building the Cambridge community today. Last week, The Cambridge Tab released part one of this series; this is part two:
Bea Goddard, 3rd year Engling at Fitz
“I’ve been boxing for 11 years now but mainly in women’s only classes, so I didn’t realise properly until I got to Cambridge how male-dominated the sport could be at all levels. In my first year, I became the first woman to become a coach for Cambridge University Amateur Boxing Club, one of the oldest boxing clubs in the country. With the help of the amazing women I coached and trained with, we’ve doubled the size of the women’s squad in the last two years despite our women’s Varsity being cancelled in both 2019 and 2020.
“I am a vocal activist, so outside of the ring I’ve spent a lot of time making documentaries about social issues in Cambridge and beyond (The Cambridge Climate, It Takes Art, Their Story). This year I have been making a documentary tracking the successes and disappointments of our tight-knit women’s squad, that spotlights the inequalities we all experience within boxing and makes a wider comment on the way women are treated in sport and beyond (Hit Like A Girl.)”
“Bea has contributed tremendously to the Cambridge University Amateur Boxing Club (CUABC.) She was the first female coach in the club 2018-19. She also coaches at Northern Powerhouse Boxing Academy when she’s at home. In 2019-20, she held the role of Vice President of CUABC and had her first bout for CUABC Town v. Gown. On top of all this, she also spent this year creating a short film featuring some of the female boxers in CUABC, exploring the adversities of women’s boxing such as the cancellation of women’s Varsity, as well as the close friendships built between squad members. I’m inspired by her work ethic during training and her passion for supporting women in boxing. The whole of the female squad is extremely grateful for what she has done for the club and we’d love for her work to be recognised.”
“I never shut up about how much I love boxing, and how much my female and non-binary teammates especially have made my time at Cambridge an absolute joy. It was bittersweet to watch the men’s squad win all three of their Varsities while I was in the club (the 111th, 112th and 113th Varsities) – the same number of Varsities that the women’s squad have officially had. I won’t stop fighting for the women’s Varsity to be on an equal level as the men’s, and being nominated for this only encourages me more. Thank you so much, and I am grateful for everything that CUABC has done for me and my mental health too, so if you can please donate to Black Minds Matter to help make mental health support more accessible for everyone.”
Rihab El-Hussain, 2nd year Lawyer at Downing
“If there’s anything you’ll come to realise very quickly about me, it’s probably my unhealthy tendency to take on more than I can handle in any given situation! But gratefully, that’s probably the also the reason I’ve been able to try so much these past few years.
“My main focus has been in2_law, a social initiative set up with my best friend to support students from underprivileged backgrounds in applying to study Law. When many of us reflect on that process for ourselves, we’ll remember a stressful few months of mock interviews, the back and forth of personal statement drafts with teachers, calling up that cousin who went to Oxford or uncle who’s a lawyer – devoted to building the intellectual and skills-based capital required to be in with a chance.
“In reality, for many students in the UK, particularly those from (but in no way limited to) a state school background, that support is severely insufficient, if not unavailable. Perfectly capable, insanely intelligent students inhibited by an arbitrary resource gap that exists due to structural reasons beyond their grasp. So in2_law aims to bridge that. Using the tools and knowledge at our disposal, to provide free mentoring, personal statement and mock interview support, even something as simple as reading suggestions can go a long way. With the hope that in the coming years, those opportunities we’ve had to capitalise on in Cambridge are there for students from a whole range of backgrounds.
“I’m also co-president of the recently founded CU Sudanese Society. Sudan is a country brought to the forefront due to political events in the past year, and we want to create a space for engagement. For both students of Sudanese descent, and others interested in finding out more, it is a social and academic access point. My highlight from the past year was definitely fundraising for the Little Smiles campaign who provided for the education of five young orphans in Sudan, thank you to everyone who donated! Making SudSoc work alongside some of my closest friends and inspirations at Cam has made the experience all the more enriching and I only hope that the society can grow to service anyone who needs it in future.”
“Her achievements are inspiring given the obstacles she’s had to overcome as a black, female Muslim.”
“I’m very humbled by everyone that voted, thank you so much, it’s only alongside amazing people that these things come about. A lot of appreciation for those who regularly deal with my rambling <3 If you’re interested in getting involved, or have thoughts, about anything above please please get in touch!”
Rachel Tustin, 3rd year HSPS at Peterhouse
“I was President of the Cambridge Union in Michaelmas 2019. As President, I interviewed Bill Gates, Dua Lipa, Adwoa Aboah, Edward Snowden, and Yanis Varoufakis, securing all these speakers (except Bill Gates) over the summer before the start of the academic year. As a result of this, I featured in Dua Lipa’s Instagram, which was a high point of my 2019 (Bella Hadid commented). I also confirmed Ban Ki-Moon for the term after mine and was lucky enough to have dinner with him after his speech as well. I chaired debates on topics including nationalising Eton, codifying the constitution, and the war on terror.
“Over 2000 students became members in my term, and I’m very proud of having produced a term card that so many incoming students were able to get enthusiastic about – I hope you enjoyed the events! Beyond this, we also welcomed students from a number of comprehensive schools for debate workshops and created a ‘Diversity Officer’ role on the elected committee to ensure that future committees are held accountable to our aim of hosting diverse individuals speaking on the issues that impact our world today.”
“She made the union a much more open and accessible place for women and NB people and marginalised groups. There are literally pictures of her on Dua Lipa’s Instagram.”
“The union is in no way perfect, and I believe it still has a long way to go before its a space where everyone – regardless of background – feels genuinely welcome to speak up, both in terms of the events we host and in our committee. In my term as president, I worked hard to ensure that the Union could be as close to that space as I could make it. I still don’t feel I did enough, but I hope that those reflecting on my term will feel that we championed diverse voices and facilitated conversations that mattered to everyone – not just straight white men.”
Rensa Gaunt, 5th year MMLer at Fitz
“Rensa Gaunt has been an activist and campaigner for many years within the university, Cambridge and further afield. She has volunteered with countless organisations, including fundraising, casework and providing training for SOAS Detainee Support, instituting permanent food bank collections and advocating for structural reform at college, faculty and university level. She co-founded the DSC Accessibility Pledge for J/MCRs and societies, wrote the guide to Double Time (part-time study for health reasons) to raise awareness of this ‘hidden’ option, and has supported dozens if not hundreds of individual students.
“She was recently elected Disabled Students’ Officer for CUSU, where she will continue to push for radical support for marginalised students, and her work has been recognised with a Vice-Chancellor’s Social Impact Award and a Commendation from CCTL in the Outstanding Student Contribution to Education Awards.”
“Rensa has been fighting the university for years to improve provision for disabled students – including lots of meetings and consultations- even now during her final exams. She has been key in organising for students from low income and non-traditional backgrounds, as well as helping wider groups that tackle homelessness and support asylum seekers. She inspired me to get involved with activism for the first time and has navigated some really tricky times without giving up hope. Always approachable, and we’re glad to have her!
“I am humbled and grateful to all those who I have worked with over the past few years – none of this would have been possible without countless other students getting involved with social issues at college, faculty and campaign level. Whether on disability, homelessness, seeking asylum, resisting discrimination or any other social issue, anyone is welcome to join our campaigns and societies in helping to centre the voices of the most marginalised and fight for change.”
Antonia Harrison, 1st year MMLer at Clare
“I was involved in activism before I got to Cambridge, and campaigned with Manchester Momentum, Anti-Fur Manchester and Manchester Pig Save, alongside undertaking ambassador work with Papyrus and Youth for Peace, which entailed organising fundraising and outreach. When I got to Cambridge, I was lucky enough to meet some incredibly inspiring activists and friends. Their commitment, compassion and conviction have made me feel continually empowered and I have been grateful to work with them on the Clare College Living Wage Campaign and the Loud and Clear campaign this year.
“I also have an enormous passion for spoken word poetry. I have been mentored by Young Identity and BBC Words First and have worked on performance pieces with Manchester Art Gallery, the Manchester Climate Conference, Manchester Histories and more. It would be really amazing to have the chance to bring more of that to Cam next year, as it has strong links to activism and I feel there aren’t currently many opportunities for spoken word artists.”
“She is the backbone of the Clare Living Wage Campaign, started Loud and Clear to improve awareness around sexual assault at Clare and is a news reporter for Varsity, next year’s head of Speaker Committee for Clare Politics and still works unbelievably hard on her degree. An all-round absolute legend.”
“Wow, I have amazing friends. Thanks for helping me to overcome my fear of the moon, grow my bone density and pursue my dream of amateur dentistry. And thanks in particular to one incredible friend who has gone above and beyond for me – you know who you are. Also, thanks to my mum for always being my best friend, and big up single mums everywhere for being absolutely the most influential womxn.”
Laura Ryan, 2nd year Neuroscience PhD at Downing
“I didn’t get as involved with societies as I should have during my undergrad at Edinburgh, so I guess I’m trying to make up for that now! My PhD is lab-based (I study neurodegeneration), so time management is always an issue for me, but I juggle things the best way I can. When I got to Cambridge and realised there was no society for atheists, humanists, or people of any religion committed to secularist principles, I founded one along with a group of like-minded friends, and we’ve put on some really interesting speakers events (CUASH). I’ve also been on Downing MCR committee since I arrived in Cambridge. But by far the society that has had the biggest impact on my time here is the Liberal Association (CULA), which truly is filled with some of the kindest and most interesting people I’ve ever encountered. This year I became vice-chair which has been really rewarding, and we’ve tried to keep active over the virtual term! Recently a group of CULA members raised over £1000 for Cambridge Women’s Aid which is something I’m very proud of.”
“She became vice-chair of CULA out of nowhere and ran loads of events over lockdown. Last week she raised £1200 for Cambridge women’s aid.”
“I have to say I’m surprised to be nominated, and genuinely honoured to be on any list with the women and non-binary students featured in the first part of this series, who seem like really inspirational people. Getting more female and non-binary students involved with political societies (and into STEM) is very important to me, and I really hope that I can be a welcoming presence in any society that I’m part of. Thanks to everyone who nominated me!”