Nothing without a woman
The 3rd instalment of ‘100 years of Oxford’s amazing women’.
With women making up more than half of UK undergraduates, it may seem that the 100 years’ war has been won. But there are still quite a few ‘firsts’ among women at the university, and today we hear about Judith — who has gone from radical female in an all-male world to establishment figure. We also hear from high-flying Katherine, who took the toughest exam in the world — and won.
The chaplain
Revd Canon Dr Judith Maltby, Chaplain and Fellow of Corpus Christi, Reader in Church History
Does big and small well: a world class university but the collegiate system gives a sense of community
Judith Maltby was a ‘first’ in Oxford. As well as being an historian, in 1993, Dr Maltby became the first full-time woman chaplain and fellow of an Oxford college — while still a deacon. The next year, she became one of the first women to be ordained to the priesthood in the Church of England. Dr Maltby combines ministry with research, specialising in Church history across the Theology and History faculties. She is also a member of the Church of England’s General Synod and the college fellow responsible for student welfare.
Dr Maltby has seen considerable change since 1993. One major difference has been the expansion of provision of the counselling service — once housed in a far too small building before its move to much better premises.
‘There is much greater demand,’ she says.
Is that because students have more problems? ‘Students are worried about debt and the world feels more uncertain but…it may be that people feel freer to talk about mental issues — and that is a good thing’, suggests Dr Maltby.
There are other differences. Dr Maltby, like other college chaplains, takes a ‘parochial’ view of her college role — that is, she sees herself as being there for everyone in college, irrespective of faith or creed. This was understood in 1993; today it is less so. And, she realises, that for some, she will be the first minister of religion they’ve ever met — which is a big challenge and responsibility.
‘When I arrived, people knew enough about the church to be turned off by it,’ she laughs. ‘That’s changed, which also makes teaching in the humanities more challenging.’ Dr Maltby smiles: ‘When I arrived I was seen as a “radical”. Now, I’m seen as “establishment”.’
The Young Academic
Katherine Backler, Fellow of All Souls College
It’s a wonderful place. But there’s a whole world out there
It is easy to be blasé about success at Oxford. Just being at the University is a success in itself. But it’s impossible to be blasé about being a Fellow of All Souls, the college which puts the dreaming into spires.
Each year, around 100 take the exam. Up to six are interviewed by the Fellows (around 60 of them). Only two are elected. In her year, Katherine Backler was one of them.
Fellows can study anything at Oxford and have room, board and a stipend for up to seven years. It’s as close to academic heaven as it’s possible to get.
Katherine, who took Classics at Corpus Christi, had decided not to carry on studying: ‘By the fourth year, I’d had enough. I wanted to get a job.’
She sat the All Souls exam, hoping, but not expecting: ‘I pretended I didn’t want it. But I did.’
It is an offer you cannot turn down, literally — the college makes sure you are going to accept before making any offers. Katherine was at home in London when the call came to say she had won a place. Her fellowship started the next day. She packed a case, took the train and came back.
In the four years since, she has begun working on a doctorate, looking at the social relationships of women in Classical Athens. Little is known about the lives of women in ancient Greece, and Katherine is clearly enjoying teasing the evidence out from sources. She is keen to keep grounded and volunteers locally with Big Brothers Big Sisters, which pairs children in or on the edge of care with adult mentors. She takes the view that it is important to keep things in perspective: ‘There’s a whole world out there [beyond Oxford University]; there’s a lot of need and a lot to be done.’
What next?
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