From arts to engineering, four female Kingston graduates who’ve changed the game

Women are a fundamental and empowering part of society and March is International Women’s month. Here we give a round up of women who have graduated from Kingston and have had incredible successes since.

Asha Phillip – BA(Hons) Drama 2012
A sports phenomenon, who took on the title of Britain’s first women to achieve a global 100m title by taking Gold at the 2007 IAAF World Youth Championships at the age of 16. Her sports successes continued despite her knee injury in Quebec, Canada in 2007, which led to her taking a break until 2011.
Her grand comeback was in the 2012 Summer Olympics, followed by her participation in the World Championships in Beijing and later London, where she competed in 4x100m relay events. Her astounding speed has secured her bronze and gold medals throughout her career, as a key player representing Great Britain in the 100m and 4x100m relay events.

Fiona Banner – BA(Hons)1998
Artist Fiona Banner’s work in drawing, sculpture, performance and the moving image have led to her accomplishments being shortlisted for the 2002 Turner and having her work exhibited at famous international art venues such as the Museum of Modern Art, Hayward Gallery, New York and London. Her work gave her the opportunity, in 2009, to create the 10th Duveen Hall Commission at Tate Britain. This can still be viewed today, in her display of two decommissioned Royal Air Force fighter jets.

Dana Skelley – BEng Civil Engineering 1987
A notable woman in the engineering industry, Dana Skelley is now in charge of a team of 500 engineers and asset managers as she continues to advocate for more female representation in the industry.
Skelley has received an OBE for services to transport and continues to support apprenticeships in the transport industry. Her work for Transport for London led to her overseeing a £4bn road modernisation plan which included planning the capital for the 2012 Summer Olympics. She continues to inspire and help young people get into the engineering industry and was also a key judge at the 2012 Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Glenda Bailey – Fashion BA(Hons)1983
A multiple award winner for editorial, fashion industry and design awards who was chosen to be in the Media Industry Newsletter (MIN), graduated from Kingston in 1983.
Bailey flourished in her work as an editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar. Her irreverent and original approach led to her outstanding recognition and the construction of the ‘Bailey legend’ in the Independent newspaper. She received a Damehood from Queen Elizabeth II.