The 40 Years of Women at the House Celebration weekend took place in September and was a resounding success. Alumnae from 1980 through to 2020 attended the three-day event, filled with discussions, dinners, and drinks.

The weekend began with a Friday buffet supper in the Friend Room, allowing attendees to connect with friends old and new. Previous women JCR and GCR Presidents, joined by the current Presidents, Anjali Ramanathan (2020) and Linnea Drexhage (2019), met for drinks and discussed flowed on the trials and joys of leading Christ Church’s diverse student bodies.

Attendees had a plethora of choice on Saturday beginning with a welcome talk from Judith Pallot, the first woman on the Christ Church Governing Body. From Women of the Picture Gallery to A Very Short History of Reading, garden and cathedral tours to library exhibitions, academic panels to piano recitals, and art workshops to wine tasting, the day was a celebration of the work, knowledge, and achievements of women at the House. The day was completed by Evensong, and a formal dinner in Hall, filled with alumnae exchanging stories of Christ Church past and present. We would like to thank Vahni Capildeo, Emma Walmsley, and Geraldine Johnson for giving speeches—it was a pleasure to see so many women in Hall only 40 years after they were first permitted.
 
The weekend was rounded off with a family BBQ day, filling the sports ground and college with noise and laughter after many months of quiet—thank you to all who attended!

A special thanks to Emily Robotham for launching the Christ Church's English Sparkling Wine over the weekend—as all who had a glass can attest, it tastes marvellous.
 
We would also like to extend our thanks to all who made the weekend possible, including Jacqueline Thalmann, Professor Catherine Whistler, Dr Joanna Woodall, Lucy Whitaker, Professor Emanuela Tandello, Gabriel Sewell, Cristina Neagu, Judith Curthoys, Dr Belinda Jack, Professor Jennifer Yee, Dr Sarah Mortimer, Dr Lucy Parker, Professor Sarah Rowland-Jones, Dr Lucy Taylor, Emily Robotham, John James, Revd Clare Hayns, Judith Valerie Engel, Ellie Thompson, all the Hall staff, the Student Ambassadors, and Matilda Hadcock.