In honour of International Women’s Day, meet the influential female alumnae of UOE

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Today is International Women’s Day, where we celebrate all the women out there who are major influences for all the girls across the globe. These women have achieved amazing things in their career and have inspired so many to follow in their footsteps. There are many great women around the world: From authors to actresses, as well as Olympians, these women just go to show that you should never give up on your dreams. Let’s be real – they can influence us ALL to attend lectures, study hard in the Forum library, and get our degrees. With these fellow Exeter girlies influencing the nation, we can really take a leaf out of their book! So, here are some of those women that are part of the Exeter alumni:

J.K. Rowling: Author

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One of Exeter’s most well-known alumni is, of course, J.K. Rowling. Rowling wrote the beloved, seven volume fantasy story of Harry Potter from 1997-2007. Obviously, Harry Potter was a major global success. With over 600 million copies sold, translated into 84 languages and with its very own film series and games, it is safe to say that Rowling’s writing career really did skyrocket.

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During her time at the University of Exeter, Rowling always dreamed of being a writer. Although Rowling is one of the most famous authors of all time, she studied French at uni, after being persuaded by her parents to do so. It’s been said that Rowling wasn’t the most ambitious Exeter student as she prioritised her social life over studies (I could defo see her enjoying a bit of TP). But, she still graduated with a BA in French and then wrote one of the most acclaimed books of all time, so that’s something!

Vanessa Kirby: Actress

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Starring in classic dramas like A Midsummers Night’s Dream (2010) and A Streetcar Named Desire (2014), Vanessa Kirby’s acting career was bound to be successful. Her career really took off on an international level when she starred as Princess Margaret in the Netflix series, The Crown (2016-2017), in which she won the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She also had roles in the action films of Hobbs & Shaw (2019) and Mission: Impossible (2018). More recently, Vanessa starred as Empress Josephine in the historical drama, Napoleon (2023). During her time at the University of Exeter, Vanessa studied English. Prior to her studies, she did a gap yah to travel and work in an AIDS hospice in South Africa: Vanessa Kirby is truly an influential woman for us all.

Zara Tindall: Olympian

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Zara Tindall is a woman of many talents. She’s a British Olympian and equestrian, as well as being a member of the Royal family. Tindall is the daughter of Anne, granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a niece of King Charles III. She was born sixth in the line of succession to the British throne and is now 21st. With this, Zara has won the Eventing World Championship in 2006 and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

In 2012, she carried an Olympic flame at Cheltenham Racecourse and won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She studied physiotherapy at the University of Exeter and became qualified as a physiotherapist.

Kate Fleetwood: Actress

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Kate Fleetwood is another successful actress who is part of the alumni. With nominations for a Tony Award and an Olivier Award, Fleetwood’s acting career triumphs. On the stage, Kate starred as Lady Macbeth in Macbeth on the West End and Julie in London Road at the National Theatre.

She also starred on film and television including Vanity Fair (2004), and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010). From graduating at Exeter to debuting on Broadway, Kate Fleetwood has truly paved the way for fellow aspiring actresses out there!

Dolly Alderton: Journalist/Author

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Dolly Alderton is a British journalist, author, podcaster and a columnist for The Sunday Times. With her award-winning memoir, Everything I Know About Love, her writing career really took off. From being a script assistant for Fresh Meat and Peep Show, Dolly’s skills were truly recognised across ALL creative boards. Dolly Alderton graduated from the University of Exeter with a degree in Drama and English, alongside a master’s degree in journalism at City University.

Katie Hopkins: Media personality

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Although she is a bit of a controversial person, Katie Hopkins has been successful in her career as a media personality, columnist, businesswoman and far-right political commentator: From starring as a contestant on The Apprentice in 2007 to starring in Celebrity Big Brother where she came second place.

She even hosted her own TV show called If Katie Hopkins Ruled the World. Following this, she became a presenter for the radio station LBC and joined UKIP. Yet, Katie Hopkins continued to make headlines in many different ways. Her social media presence showed her outspoken views on UK politics which gained some negative attention. During her time at the University of Exeter, Katie studied economics. So, she has made a success out of her career (even if it was for the wrong reasons).

Featured images via Instagram @vanessa_kirby and @dollyalderton