Historically, feminist activism in Cambridge has conformed to the general mold. In 2018, a Varsity magazine article stated that “white mainstream feminism” was prevalent and focused “on the concerns of an already relatively liberated class rather than uplifting women around them”. Since then, numerous new communities have diversified the terrain. Although there is still work to be done, Cambridge’s feminist and women’s societies have never been more diverse in audience, aims and approach.
Undergraduate statistics for the 2024 application cycle show that women at the University of Cambridge have not only achieved parity with men, but even surpassed them. Nevertheless, some groups of women are still at risk of feeling marginalized or isolated: either as a minority in their own faculty or as a member of another minority group in the university. Several targeted communities have sprung up to provide these women with community and representation.
The Emmy Noether Society is for women and non-binary people studying mathematics or mathematics-based subjects. Amalie Emmy Noether was a German mathematician who developed several theorems considered the basis of mathematical physics. The club’s name reflects its goal to introduce role models to female students in traditionally male-dominated fields. As committee member Chloe points out, “we don’t really hear a lot of theorems done by women, so it’s nice to see this show,” adding that Noether is “someone that a lot of us really like.” The members of the committee also aim to highlight role models closer to the student body – the club organizes lectures on mathematical topics, which are given by the university’s female researchers.
“Women at the University of Cambridge have not only achieved equality with men, but even surpassed them”
Gauri, a social media officer and webmaster for the Emmy Noether Society, cites another key goal: simply to “meet other women, form a community.” The maths finalist explains that “it’s just really hard to find women doing maths. If you go to the lecture halls, it’s only maybe 15, 20% (women).”
In 2024, women’s share of the university’s accepted mathematics offers was only 22.7%, compared to only 19.4% in the two previous years. Through lectures, social events like movie nights, and collaborations with related associations like Women in Engineering, Gauri hopes to create connections in this “quite small community.” According to his own experience, these initiatives work: “I have met really good friends through such societies.”
For others, challenges arise from the intersectional pressures of being a woman and belonging to minority groups in the Cambridge community – particularly the black British community. In 2024, only 90 of the 1,465 women who accepted an undergraduate offer at Cambridge were black, black British or mixed black.
As a 2020 BBC documentary revealed, Being Black at Cambridge often creates additional pressures. One student, Fabiana, claimed that many black students “don’t really feel like they’re part of the university,” while Sharon, a student of Eritrean descent, noted that “you feel like you’re different.”
“In 2024, women’s share of the university’s accepted mathematics offers was only 22.7 percent, compared to only 19.4 percent in the two previous years.”
Go to Black Girl’s Space. Chika, the vice president, describes the society as a “community” whose mission is to “prepare black women” within the Cambridge student body. She took on the role of vice president as she personally benefited from the community: “It’s really encouraging to me to see people like me, people of color, especially black women of color, just having fun (…) they’re having fun, so it’s possible for me to do the same.”
Like the Emmy Noether Society, BGS uses regular social events such as “danceathons,” silent discos, and movie nights to bring its community together. Likewise, they collaborate with other societies with similar goals, including the Cambridge African and Caribbean Society (ACS). Many of their members also belong to the Cambridge University for Reproductive Rights group. As Janet, one of the organization’s public relations officers, points out, BGS has turned its intersectional challenges into a strength: “Because we’re at the intersection of so many things, we can help more.”
BGS also has a unique ‘Big Sister’ mentoring scheme where FUS students can choose to be assigned a senior BGS member who can offer their experience, advice and act as a friendly face as they transition to Cambridge. Janet claims that “it is very important to have a group of girls facing the same difficulties (…)”. As such, the system helps integrate newcomers into the community and ease their transition by providing them with role models they can identify with.
While BGS’s focus is on the student body, the society also aims to support black women in addition to current students at Cambridge. Recently they have organized fundraisers such as knitting workshops for charities such as HERSANA – a charity that supports black women across the UK who have been victims of gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation.
“Janet claims that ‘it is very important to have a group of girls facing the same difficulties (…)'”
Cooperation is also part of their work. Last year BGS organized ‘Winter School Tours’ during which BGS members shared their Cambridge experiences with school children. This is an initiative that Janet is keen to replicate – particularly in areas across the North of England. Janet notes that for black women like her in her home community of Manchester, “wanting to go to Russell’s group was unique”, in part because “general representations of black women are not a girl who goes to Cambridge.” As well as an ongoing, vibrant social media presence, discussions with departments about organizing open days for black women are currently ‘in the works’ – another way BGS hopes to represent the thriving black female community at Cambridge, thereby encouraging more black girls to apply.
Student Action for Female Education (SAFE) combines BGS’s collaboration with other Cambridge societies with an even closer relationship with UK-based charities and an intended impact far beyond the city of Cambridge. Founded in the United Nations Association of the University of Cambridge (CUUNA), SAFE works in cooperation with the international NGO Campaign for Women’s Education (CAMFED).
CAMFED provides “comprehensive education programs” for women in sub-Saharan Africa, covering school fees, food, transportation, uniforms and menstrual products to ease the material barriers to education faced by many girls in the region. CAMFED graduates strive to increase the self-sufficiency of women’s education projects in sub-Saharan Africa by leading the girls’ education movement in the communities of the CAMFED Alumnae Association.
“Even though CAMFED is a charity based in Cambridge, its connection with the students was quite distant,” says Yusan, SAFE’s joint project director. As stated on the organization’s website, SAFE aims to engage the student body more closely with CAMFED, which will “significantly expand our funding capacity.”
“Cambridge sororities are being reshaped”
Founded in 2020, SAFE remained “dormant” for a few years, which Yusan and his fellow project director Soliyana have begun to turn around with successful fundraising initiatives last year. There was also a Christmas fair where many of the products sold were made by CAMFED graduates who became entrepreneurs. “It was truly amazing to see what these women could do when given the chance,” Yusan beams, noting with pride that the fair raised over £2,000 for CAMFED.
At the crossroads: finding your own faith
Both Yusan and Soliyana want the project not to return to its former “dormant” state, and are urging Cambridge University students, regardless of gender or background, to submit committee applications. They hope to be able to continue last year’s work as part of an expanded team.
All the committee members I spoke to shared a desire to, as Gauri put it, “bring change.” Everyone brought smiles and colorful leaflets or posters to the Fresher’s Fair at Parkers’ Piece earlier in October. Still, the diversity of their societies’ goals and target audience is reflected in equally diverse methods and management. Cambridge women’s societies are being reshaped.