Girton College

"Better is wisdom than weapons of war"

On this day in 1908, the Cambridge Alumnae Banner designed by suffrage artist Mary Lowndes was carried by members of Girton and Newnham Colleges in the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies’ procession in support of women’s right to vote, becoming a powerful symbol of collective action, education, and equality.

Girton has always been at the forefront of political and social movements for the advancement of women in society. Our principal founders, Barbara Bodichon and Emily Davies, were key figures in the campaign for women’s suffrage before turning their attention to women’s access to higher education through the foundation of Girton College.

Women over 30 who met a property qualification gained the vote in 1918, including Emily Davies herself at the age of 88. Equal voting rights followed in 1928, though women at Cambridge still had to wait until 1948 to receive their degrees from the University.

We are proud to have a specially handcrafted replica of the banner on display in the College Library, recreated by Girton alumna Annabel O’Docherty (1981), a specialist in historical dress and a professional theatrical costume maker.

🏆🏉 Cuppers Champions!

A historic year for Pirton RFC (Pembroke, Girton, Churchill, and Lucy Cavendish) began with a dominant victory in the touch tournament and culminated in an unforgettable Cuppers triumph.

After finishing second in the league, with only one defeat to eventual champions Downing-Caius, Pirton entered the Cuppers full of confidence. A convincing 48-12 quarter-final win against Queens-Magdalene set up Finals day, where the team first defeated St John's 21–0 in the semi-final before facing Trinity-Christ's in the final.

Despite going behind after scoring first, Pirton showed remarkable resilience, scoring a second try and producing a gritty defensive performance to secure a 14–10 victory and lifting the trophy.

Congratultions Pirton RFC!
Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club

Written by Sam Blakesley
Photo credit: Dik Ng

What came first: the galaxy or the black hole? 🤔

Girton PhD student Ignas Juodžbalis joined The Naked Scientists podcast to discuss new research that could help answer one of astronomy’s biggest questions.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/naked-scientists-podcast/ovarian-cancer-wonder-drug-and-birth-black-holes

📖 Read more: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/astronomers-spot-black-hole-that-formed-before-its-galaxy

Ovarian cancer wonder drug, and the birth of black holes Plus, Blue Origin and the aftermath of the New Glenn rocket explosion

On 30 May, Girton medical students attended The Royal College of Surgeons of England Day, where they also had the incredible opportunity to meet Girton alumna and Honorary Fellow, Dame Suzy Lishman.

The day offered a fascinating insight into life as a surgeon, from understanding the surgical training pathway and what a typical career looks like, to exploring why surgery is a field open to everyone. Students also discovered the breadth of opportunities beyond the operating theatre, including academic and global surgery.

With a hands-on sessions, a tour of the Royal College of Surgeons, and valuable networking opportunities, it was an inspiring and engaging experience throughout.

Thank you to Dame Suzy Lishman for facilitating this opportunity for Girton students, and to the Royal College of Surgeons for hosting such an inspiring and informative day.

🎶 New album from The Chapel Choir of Girton College, Cambridge - UK!

We are delighted to announce the release of the Choir's sixth album, Marc’Antonio Ingegneri, Volume Six: The Teacher and His Disciples.

Continuing their acclaimed exploration of the music of the Renaissance master Marc’Antonio Ingegneri, this recording features twelve motets symbolising the twelve disciples, framing the five-voice Missa Kyrie Secundi Toni, all in their first recordings.

Performed by the Choir of Girton College directed by Gareth Wilson, with The Western Wyndes led by Musician-in-Residence Jeremy West, this latest release continues a recording journey that has brought international recognition to the Choir’s work.

Available now on CD and digital formats.

Read more and listen here: https://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/news/girton-chapel-choir-sixth-album

Girton College Chapel Choir releases sixth album celebrating composer Marc’Antonio Ingegneri On the 5 June 2026, Girton Choir will release their sixth CD of music devoted to the work of Renaissance composer Marc'Antonio Ingegneri. It can be ordered and streamed here: Marc’antonio Ingegneri, Vol. 6 - the Teacher and His Disciples.Each of the Choir's previous five volumes of music by Marc'A...

📣 NEW STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

Sara Hamaguchi, first-year Archaeology undergraduate at Girton, and a Sasakawa Scholarship Fellow, has recently published work spanning archaeology, biological anthropology, and science communication.

Her article in Forum (Council for British Archaeology Yorkshire) examines a copper alloy artefact discovered during a 2023 excavation in Yorkshire.

She has also published a ‘Focus Piece’ in Issue 63 of BlueSci, Cambridge’s longest-running science magazine. The article explores how primates and other non-human animals can inform our understanding of synaesthesia.

👉 Read the articles online here:
https://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/news/hamaguchi-publications

🎓 Smiles all round for our most recent graduates and their supporters!

Congratulations to all who graduated at last Friday's congregation. You are joining a dynamic community of over 12,000 Girtonians around the globe, and we look forward seeing where life takes you after Girton.

See a few photos from the day here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCV9Dv

🔗 Update your details with the College via the link below and stay in touch!
https://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/update-your-details

Graduation May 2026 Explore this photo album by Girton College on Flickr!