Cynthia is the first Professor of Geoconservation in the world and is a geologist by training. . Her catch phrase is ‘Geodiversity underpins biodiversity’.

She was born a cockney and went to school in the East end of London. She gained her first degree in geology, geography and archaeology and her geological PhD from the University of Leicester and her MSc in Information Science from City University in London. She works at the University of Chester and the Open University in Wales teaching geology, forensic science, sustainable development and conservation.

She has belonged to both the British Federation for over 40 years and the American Association of University Women for five years. She also served for seven years on the British Federation Academic Awards Committee. She was president of the Syracuse branch of AAUW and the BFWG Cheshire Association but originally belonged to the Leicester branch after graduation when her professor’s wife suggested she join. She has two graduate geological daughters both of whom are independent members of the British Federation. She passionately believes in a holistic approach to conservation, women’s right to education at all levels and generosity of spirit.

Jenny Morley graduated from the University of London with BSc Hons. (Physics Special). As a student she was a keen member of the European Society.

A BFWG Member for 44 years – Local Association from 1972-2000 and Independent Member of Southern Region since then. She is the a Past President of BFWG and also served an earlier three year term as Vice President when she was responsible for Membership and Recruitment, and initiated the Crosby Hall Open Days and the Networks.

Professionally, she headed the Science Team at a City Academy after a varied career teaching at Universities, here and abroad, at FE Colleges and girls’ schools.

She founded Solihull LA in the early 70s and later became President of the Nottingham LA and then the  Derby LA. Jenny twice served as Regional Representative and Alternate, and twice as Alternate Cordinator of International Relations. She regularly attends both University Women of Europe (UWE) and GWI Meetings from 1986 -2016, frequently as a Voting Delegate or Alternate.

A Member of the Phoenix Think Tank, she helped to plan the BFWG Centenary Party at the 2007 IFUW Meeting in Manchester, planned and administrated the 2008 and 2009 Westminster Seminars and was highly involved in delivering the 2012 Celebration of 100 Years of BFWG Scholarships during her term as President.

Of her new role she says:
‘The relationship with Europe is highly topical and potentially our strong UWE grouping is a source of fresh membership for BFWG.I would anticipate organising events to attract new faces.
The flexibility and adaptability I have developed in both my professional and federation service are assets at this time of change. As a trained manager and communicator I enjoy chairing. I have an optimistic nature and sense of humour. I have lived abroad and speak French and Spanish conversationally and also know some German and Italian.’

Previous experience:
Social Services Day Care Centre Manager within Elderly Services Birmingham City Council.

Previous experience in BFWG:
Member of Sutton Coldfield Association as Publicity,Secretary,Vice President and President.

Jennie was born in Battersea very close to our headquarters, but moved out of London to Essex when she was eighteen. She started her career by working in a stockbrokers in the investment and dealing departments. It was not until after her marriage and having three children that she went back to college full-time to begin her BEd in Brentwood. Her teaching career began when her children were 7,9 and 11 years of age so she was regularly juggling childcare and work commitments.

Her career in primary education included headships and then she moved on to work with Essex  Local Authority in an advisory role and subsquently has worked in Kent. Her experience in these roles and across these communities were pivotal in her clarifying her skills in developing strong and effective leadership teams. Her work have also given her substantive experience in budget management and performance management. She is passionate in promoting education for all learners (3 to 93) and regards herself as a lifelong learner.

She is an active member of the Canterbury association and enjoys singing, gardening and walking in her spare time.

I chair the GWI Hegg-Hoffet Fund Committee.  The other members of the Committee come from Australia, Netherlands and India and we communicate via email.  The Fund supports graduate women refugees who need a course to help them in their new country.

Such a course might be for language improvement or for an examination to upgrade skills. I make an initial assessment of applications to ensure that they fulfil the requirements and then they are sent to the other members of the Committee for their views.  I try to contact a member of GWI who can talk to the applicant to give her some personal support and to ensure that the course she is planning is the most appropriate.

This has been successful in USA, UK and Canada in the last two years.  The discussion with applicants and references can take many emails. If we agree to support the applicant I direct GWI in Geneva to pay the institution providing the course.  The Hegg-Hoffet Fund has recently supported an Iraqui dentist, an Eritrean, and a woman from Cameroon, a Burundian and a Congolese in Uganda, a Syrian and an Egyptian.