Page 6 - HGS Suburb News 143 - Summer 2020

couple of years ago, when I was scrolling through my
A social media, I saw an article by BuzzFeed which was The Sparkly Scientist
Have you ever had any negative experiences working as a
woman in science?
titled “A Woman Delivered A Speech To Students At NASA
Wearing A Sequined Dress Because Girls Wanted To See A
I went into a company to pitch a two-week workshop with
‘Sparkly’ Scientist.” The Scientist who made the speech, Rita J.
Science House. I was wearing a black suit as I would but with a
King, seemed to address an issue that not many people talk
pair of silver dangly leaf-shaped earrings. The room I was pitching
about in a very intriguing way. I was so interested in her story
to was all-male except for one female. After the pitch, the woman
that I got in touch with her and managed to interview her.
walked up to me and said “don’t wear those earrings, they’re
What inspired you to pursue a career in science?
distracting.” The company declined the two-week workshop and
I actually began my career in journalism. In high school, a group
instead took us on for six months!
TEDXYOUTH / YOUTUBE
of friends and I got together and interviewed some local
What piece of advice would you give any young woman who
wants to go into science?
politicians about issues within the town. I distinctly remember my
friend asking a specific politician a difficult question and his face
My main advice would be, be curious, and nurture your curiosity.
slowly turning red from embarrassment. I enjoyed the problem-
It’s okay if all of the things you want to pursue are unrelated, do
solving aspect of journalism because before then they were just
them anyway because there will be a reason why in the future.
expected to report on the issue, but around the time I started,
The common thread that connected my passions is solving
investigative journalism started to become a real thing. I carried
complex problems. Another thing is bring creativity and
that problem-solving aspect into my career as a futurist and I felt
imagination with you because they’re your best skills. They’re my
best skills too.
it fit nicely because I have always had an interest in science.
What does a futurist do?
I felt so inspired talking to Rita because she has achieved
It’s a marriage between the more academic sciences such as
so many unique things but it didn’t feel like she had to pick
biology and chemistry as well as social sciences. I look at current
and choose what she could achieve because of her main
and past trends and use them to predict what the future in some
career. She’s also so different from so many female science
industries may look like.
role models on TV. Many of them feel very one-dimensional
What projects are you working on?
and intangible because they aren’t like real people. Talking to
The company I co-direct, Science House, has created a new
a real scientist and seeing how she has many sides and
How did you feel when you were wearing the dress?
passions and is breaking the mould of what a scientist should
project called model meetings; it looks at the way companies are Wearing the dress didn’t faze me really, whenever I would give a
now hosting their meetings online and how to use that time
be according to TV and media. I recommend to everyone to
efficiently. talk, especially to younger people or within my own company, I
actively seek out role models and talk to as many people as
would feel comfortable expressing myself in that way. So the
Did you expect wearing the dress would have such an impact?
possible because you can learn so much. The last thing I asked
NASA talk was the perfect opportunity, sometimes people will
The reason i actually wore the dress was because a group of girls
her was if she had any advice for young women who want to
say that your clothing could be a distraction, I don’t think it was at
who were attending the talk had sent me a letter asking if I could
pursue a career in science and she said be curious. This not
all, the students still listened to what i had to say and respected
only applies to science, which is founded on an intrinsic
wear a sparkly dress. At the time I gave the talk which was in 2011, me. However, I don’t believe in inappropriate dressing so
I didn’t think much of it, however last year I tweeted about it (the
curiosity, but to life and the world in general. If you are curious
personally in a corporate situation I would usually wear black then you can unlock many hidden passions of your own
dress). It still had the NASA sticker on it and then it just blew up trousers and a black top. Not to take away from my femininity it’s
and I was flooded with tweets from other female scientists and
which will help you decide what you want to do, help you
their experiences! just the way I feel most comfortable. I felt more than comfortable
realize you can follow your dreams and grow as a person.
wearing a sparkly dress in that situation.
The Rose MADHU K
ast year my Mum and I saw a beautiful
L rose in a front garden on our way to
school. One day we saw a lady next to it, An interview with
she said it was her Mother’s. When Lockdown Head of English at HBS
happened, we popped a postcard through
that letterbox with our number. Not long after we got a ampstead Garden Suburb is full of inspirational women, Barnett School – these are definitely qualities which characterise
call from Lilian, who told us she was being helped by kind Hpast, present and future, but one clearly stands out, the students. This has been made particularly clear during the
people (later Lilian and her husband Eric were lucky to get Henrietta Barnett. As creator of the suburb, and founder of school closure due to coronavirus – the students’ self-motivation,
food deliveries) but that her daughter was abroad. From HBS, she has inspired many, and continues to inspire us all. creativity and desire to progress have been truly impressive.
time to time we’ve helped Lilian and Eric, getting bits and As some of the readers may know, the team of girls that run How does it feel knowing that you inspire students to pursue
bobs. We’ve written this poem about them. I learnt about Suburb News Youth all go to Henrietta Barnett, so I wanted careers in your field?
acrostic poems during Home Schooling – the start of each to interview a teacher, to get their unique perspective on It feels great! Leaving school can be a scary time, and it’s often
line makes a word. what it is like to work in the school. I interviewed Alexandra tempting to pick a degree for which there is a more obvious or
Lilian & Eric (an acrostic poem!) Hedges, head of English, to get her view on how Henrietta ostensibly-secure career path. As a department we therefore
Barnett’s legacy has inspired her, and how Miss Hedges has work hard to make sure that students are aware of the breadth
Lovely rose is why we meet, inspired students and passed on the legacy. of options open to someone who opts to study English at A Level
I hear my Mum on the telephone to you, in the early Spring Who is your biggest female literary inspiration? or beyond. Every year, we invite back students who have gone
heat, For me, that’s an easy one – it’s got to be Virginia Woolf. Firstly, on to study English or the Arts, to deliver an English Extension
Lilian, you make my Mum laugh as she checks if there’s Woolf understood that – in order to break new ground in literature session for our sixth formers. These are wonderful opportunities
anything you need to eat, – you had to “tolerate [...] failure.” She spoke passionately about for current students to hear about careers that the Arts can lead
I run back home through the hidden path when we leave you the need to accept mistakes or setbacks in yourself and others if into – as well as a lovely chance to catch up! And we’re hoping
a small treat, we are to create new kinds of writing or art – I find that both that some of the reporters for Suburb News may go on to be full-
A moment when I see you both on your doorstep, we stand inspiring and reassuring. Secondly, she understood the time journalists one day...
apart several feet, practicalities of working as a writer – her famous essay ‘A Room Who is the strongest woman you know?
Now roses are on our table, bright orange and red, opposite of One’s Own’ reminds readers that a woman who wants to As predictable as it may be, I would have to say my mum! Like
my seat. write needs a space to herself. She understood the challenge of me, my mum was a teacher, but, unlike me, she never seemed to
& balancing work and family responsibilities – something a lot of complain of being tired, or to resort to making pasta every night
us have been facing during lockdown!
Emails from your daughter Penny in America, flowers and Who is your favourite female fictional character? just because it’s easy and quick! I have always been proud of my
mum, but it is only since becoming a teacher myself that I have
picture books sweet, I have a real soft spot for Maggie Tulliver in ‘The Mill on the Floss’. fully understood just how much she was achieving on a daily
Remembering my name when I see you, your knowledge of She’s a character with whom I’ve identified in different ways at basis. I think it’s easy to underestimate how much physical and
the news is hard to beat, different points in her life. She’s so desperate to do the right thing emotional energy teaching demands; while it has the
I hope when I am 98, like you I enjoy music and walking with and to achieve in life – but she so often finds herself on the wrong advantage of being a career that is compatible with raising a
purpose down the street, path! But the ending of the novel is unspeakably sad – I warn you... family, it’s important to recognise and celebrate all the women
Countless thank yous for inspiring us in Lockdown and Who was your female role model growing up? who are managing this balance.
making our days feel more complete. My A Level English teacher, Miss Harvey, was, and is, a real What is it like being part of such a female department, and
THEO M (aged 6)
inspiration for me. She introduced with the headteacher being a
me to the poem ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ woman too?
by John Keats and at that point I KATHERINE HEDGES It’s a joy to work somewhere that
knew I had to choose English at
gives its staff such autonomy and
Maths university! Whenever I teach that which is built on mutual respect,
poem, I have her in mind.
rather than hierarchy. What I value
Combat Learning Loss with What do you feel is most important most about leading the English
department at HBS is being part of a
about Henrietta Barnett’s legacy?
Expert private coaching in Hamsptead When Dame Henrietta Barnett was team which comprises people with a
Online or face-to-face trying to purchase the land on which range of approaches, ideas and
Common Entrance and 7+, 11+, 13+ she founded the Garden Suburb, she perspectives, but all of whom are
GCSE, A level and Further Maths was told by an agent that there was keen to collaborate – and to have a
STEP & MAT little chance such an important laugh over lunch!
estate would be signed to a woman. Henrietta Barnett was an
Recent successes at Westminster and St Paul’s, as well as Oxford She described being advised: “If only inspiration to all as the mastermind
and Cambridge Universities. you would get a few men behind you, behind the Hampstead Garden
Highly experienced former Head of Maths with B.Sc. Maths, 1st it would be all right!” Undeterred, she Suburb and HBS, and we are
Class hons. degree from top UK university and experience in writing continued to work hard to bring her grateful for amazing teachers like
11+ materials.
1-to-1 support that will secure those A*s, grade 9s, top university, plans into fruition. Her imagination, Miss Hedges, who continue her
Independent or selective places. resilience and independence have legacy and inspire us further.
JOANNA C
Contact: 07811 254061 not been forgotten at the Henrietta
6 SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS