Wall of Women - London Metropolitan University

What it represents

The Centre for Equity and Inclusion, in partnership with The Women’s Staff Network, commemorate International Women's Day 2025 with London Met's digital Wall of Women.

We present our celebration of the remarkable women and non-binary people who have or continue to shape our community. This initiative highlights those whose contribution, whether personal, professional or societal, reminds us that impact comes in many forms.

Our Staff Spotlight

Armanda Ferreira - London Met

Armanda joined London Met in 2022 as the Estates Fire and Safety Advisor.

Armanda is a hardworking and dedicated professional who approaches every task with enthusiasm and a commitment to the highest standards. Nothing escapes her attention, and her meticulous approach has made a significant impact on our team. When she went on maternity leave, we conducted several recruitment rounds and hired two temporary employees to cover her work. However, we were unable to find an adequate replacement, which made us all the more delighted to welcome her back.

Donna Jones - London Met

Head of Social Work, Rainbow Room Co-Founder

As the driving force behind London Met’s Queer Safe Space, Donna’s is dedicated to fostering environments where queer people feel truly seen, valued, and supported. This dedication has led to increased partnership working and the Rainbow Room now facilitates regular activity with 11 external organisations. Through her work, Donna continues to shape opportunities that uplift, affirm, and inspire London Met to operate “business as unusual”.

Ella Deadman - London Met

HBCU Manager

Ella Deadman plays a key role in strengthening London Met’s partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), fostering connections that expand opportunities for students on both sides of the Atlantic. With a commitment to creative opportunities to strengthen collective solidarity, she ensures these relationships go beyond formal agreements, creating pathways for exchange, learning, and lasting impact.

Ellie Campbell - London Met

PR Manager, MarComms

As PR Manager, Ellie Campbell shapes narratives with precision and care, ensuring stories land where they matter most. Behind the scenes, she navigates the complexities of multiple truths within storytelling. Through commitment, enthusiasm, and an instinct for the right message at the right time, Ellie is a pleasure to work with.

Jessica Hoarau - London Met

Student Partnerships Coordinator, Centre for Equity and Inclusion

Jessica has transformed the PASS and Student Curriculum, recruiting the largest amount of students ever year upon year. The size of the schemes are testament to Jessica’s dedication and time to students. She has inspired students to commit to principles of equity and partnership. Her kindness and hard work to empower our student partners do not go unnoticed.

Jo Jenkins - London Met

Jo has been an academic at London Met since 2009.

Jo has been an academic at London Met since 2009, teaching Sports courses and has navigated a number of roles to arrive at her current role as Head of Student Experience and Academic Outcomes for the School of Human Sciences. Jo brings colleagues together, encouraging collaboration and sharing of good practices to enhance the experiences of our students and to drive up our student outcomes. An open door and a keen desire to support others and help colleagues do their best for our students.

Influential Figures

Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace is considered the first computer programmer.

Ada Lovelace is considered the first computer programmer. Even though she wrote about a computer, the analytical engine, that was never built, she realized that the computer could follow a series of simple instructions, a program, to perform a complex calculation.

April Ashley

April Ashley received an MBE for trans equality.

She underwent gender reassignment surgery in 1960 and went on to live her life as a socialite, actress, model and campaigner for equality. It wasn't without hardship however, as a judge ruled she could not marry a man, and her celebrity lifestyle led to a heart attack and subsequent reclusivity. But April persisted. She received an MBE for her hard work and was eventually granted a birth certificate recognising her as female.

Diane Abbott

Diane Abbott was the first black woman elected to the UK parliament.

Diane Abbott made history in 1987 as the first black woman elected to the UK parliament. Raised by Jamaican immigrant parents, Abbott's career soared from civil servant to TV reporter before her groundbreaking election to represent Hackney North and Stoke Newington. A passionate advocate for Human Rights, she has championed issues from racial equality to civil liberties. Known for her bold left-wing stance, Abbott served in various high-profile roles, including shadow home secretary.

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a space scientist, science communicator and BBC presenter.

Dr Maggie Ebunoluwa Aderin-Pocock is a space scientist, science communicator and presenter of the BBC’s The Sky at Night. She completed a PhD in the department of mechanical engineering in 1994, after an undergraduate degree in physics also at Imperial. She is managing director of Science Innovation Ltd, through which she organises public engagement activities which show school children and adults the wonders of space.

Emma Clarke

Emma Clarke was Britain’s first known black female footballer.

Emma Clarke was Britain’s first known black female footballer, playing in the 1890s. She broke racial and gender barriers by playing football during a time when both were highly unusual for women, especially women of colour. Clarke was part of the All-Star XI, a team formed of players from different clubs, and played matches in front of large crowds.

Henrietta Lacks

Her cancer cells were immortalised as the HeLa cell line.

Henrietta was born in the US in 1920 and died of cervical cancer in 1951. Her cancer cells were immortalised as the HeLa cell line without her permission. They are still used in labs all over the world for vital scientific medical research. The generation of HeLa cells was a medical breakthrough, but it also highlighted the importance of consent.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox is the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy.

Laverne Cox is the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a primetime Emmy. She rose to prominence due to her role as trans female prisoner, Sophia Burset in the Netflix series, Orange is the New Black. This role has helped to bring to light the struggles which trans people may face when they are incarcerated. Outside of her role, Laverne has become a role model and a spokeswoman for the transgender community.

Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson was the first woman to be elected president of the Republic of Ireland.

Mary Robinson is a barrister and the first woman elected to be president of the Republic of Ireland. She served from 1990 to 1997. Her impact was profound – including decriminalising homosexuality and legalising contraception and divorce. She went on to serve as a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for 5 years. She currently works on climate justice and civil rights.

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama was the first African-American to serve as first lady of the US.

Michelle Obama was the first African-American to serve as first lady of the United States when her husband Barack Obama was elected 44th us president (first African-American president). As first lady, Michelle focused on initiatives she felt would make a difference. These included nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, poverty awareness and education. She is a passionate advocate for justice.