Annual OE Lecture - Rosalind Miles (1960)

Our annual OE Lecture with Guest Speaker, Dr Rosalind Miles, took place on Thursday 12th October 2023 at The Ruddock Performing Arts Centre.

Dr Rosalind Miles FRSA is the award-winning author of Who Cooked The Last Supper? The Women's History of the World, and other international best-sellers of non-fiction and fiction including her acclaimed novel I, Elizabeth, the story of the great Tudor Queen in her own words. Her work as a historian, critic, novelist, journalist, broadcaster, traveller, lecturer, magistrate, and social activist has taken her from Buckingham Palace to the White House and all over the world. She is a founder member of the International Women's Forum and of the Women's Equality Party in the UK, becoming one of the first women members of the prestigious Reform Club in London, a wide range of experiences she draws on to illuminate and examine the idea of Equality: What is it? Where is it? Can we have it? And do we want it? What do you think? Whatever it may be, Rosalind Miles is known for stimulating audiences to think again.

Before the lecture, Rosalind enjoyed a delightful supper with some students from both King Edward VI High School for Girls and King Edward's School Birmingham. This was a wonderful part of the evening which really gave the students the opportunity to put forward any questions, find out more about Rosalind and also enter into a discussion with Rosalind about topics they are passionate about.

The lecture began at 18.00 with a welcome from Principal, Kirsty von Malaisé, before handing over to Rosalind. The lecture lasted an hour which included 15 minutes of questions. We were pleased to see so much engagement from the audience and some very well thought out questions put forward. It was also a pleasure to see such a mix of audience in attendance, from students to parents, staff and Old Edwardian's from both schools.

The lecture ended with a Vote of Thanks from a current student at King Edward VI High School for Girls, who thanked Rosalind for her excellent lecture and presented her with a thank you gift.

The lecture was followed by a reception in the foyer of the Ruddock Performing Arts Centre where guests were able to meet Rosalind and ask further questions.

Rosalind also very kindly signed some copies of books for guests.

You can find photos from the event in the gallery below.