IWD 2025: I’m proud to work to ensure women have equal access in the tech space.

“I had a fabulous time at Dame Allan’s” begins June, who attended Dame Allan’s Girls’ School from 1975-1982 as part of the Direct Grant (bursary) scheme. “I was the first in my whole family to continue education beyond the age of fourteen, I loved to learn and the School definitely broadened my horizons.” 

At Dame Allan's, June was particularly passionate about languages - which sparked the inspiration for her future career path with the European Commission, and the confidence to live her life abroad. “Mrs Peet, who taught me German, was a huge inspiration,” recalls June. “She organised my first ever exchange trip to Germany, which was my first time abroad where I could immerse myself in the language and culture. I’m still friends with the daughter of the family I stayed with then - we’re actually Godmothers to each other's children! I’m still in touch with Mrs Peet too, she was a fantastic role model.”

As well as languages, June was passionate about theatre, recalling a time when a young Patrick Stewart visited Dame Allan’s as part of a tour with the Royal Shakespeare Company!

June’s current role looks at making the digital world safer and more inclusive for all; she particularly focuses on  getting more women involved in the digital world: “I’d say that Dame Allan’s taught me to say yes to all opportunities.” commented June. “Now, I’m proud to work to ensure women have equal access in the tech space.”  

This International Women’s Day, the theme is ‘accelerate action.’ Why are you passionate about getting more women involved in the digital world?

“It’s an international issue,” begins June, “Economically, there are huge job opportunities in IT professions, and just not enough staff to fill them. Women currently occupy less than 20% of tech roles in Europe: there is space for us to take advantage of this skills gap. 

“Having more women within tech and computing means that teams will be more inclusive and value-driven. A woman’s perspective is imperative as we continue to develop tech solutions, and if women aren’t in the room, that absolutely vital insight is being lost. Technology is made in the image of its creator, and having no female representation allows for misogyny to creep into the tech space unchecked. Just look at developments in AI - like the horrifying rise in deep fake nude images - would these have risen to quite so much prominence if half the room was female and had their say? Gender equality is not just ‘nice to have’, it is essential for safeguarding, inclusion, and the future of the tech industry.”

Digital inclusion is such an important part of modern life, how can we support more women to be comfortable in an ever-increasing digital landscape?

“Everyone has a part to play.” June states. “Parents can offer great examples, talk to your kids, ask them what they do on their phone and spark curious conversation. It’s about making your children - especially girls - feel able to learn more about tech and the internet, knowing that if they do encounter something they are upset or confused by, they have the safe space to go to their parents for help and support. Banning the internet - like any ‘cold turkey’ movement - often doesn’t work, and will certainly not encourage girls to develop a healthy curiosity around computing and tech.”

“Gaming is another huge area where women and girls can make their mark,” continues June. “It's wonderful to hear that the computing team at Dame Allan’s has embraced eSports and that girls are getting involved. It has actually been proven that girls who game are three times more likely to go into STEM subjects. Skills from gaming can be so transferable and open horizons.” 

(At Dame Allan’s, the entire computing staff is female. June beams when she hears this).

“It is so important for young girls to have role models like Dame Allan’s teachers when it comes to careers and skills in STEM and computing. It helps to eliminate any unconscious bias, and allows girls to see how they can apply their interest in computer science in the real world - from teaching, to coding, to eSports, and robotics, there really are so many opportunities. Nobody knows what the job market will be like in four or five years, so I’d encourage girls and young women to be bold and follow their passions regardless, especially if it is in a STEM-focused career.” 

What advice would you give to current Dame Allan’s pupils, particularly young girls who may wish to follow in your footsteps? 

“I’d tell them to be curious and not hesitate.” says June. “Say yes to opportunities and embrace the ‘good’ side of social media. You can see so many role models in the digital space, and even reach out for advice or tips in cracking their industry. I’d say it is also important to actively network, in my experience most people are very happy to offer guidance. For pupils at Dame Allan’s, you already have a great resource in the form of The Allanian Society, where former pupils (like me!) can be reached for advice and support.”

How do you think being a woman has impacted your career (if at all), or the direction in which you have chosen to develop your career? 

“Being a woman made me consider my career choices more carefully I think…” comments June. “It felt like there was more of an expectation to follow a certain prescribed path, and I didn’t want to take what was considered the ‘usual’ route when I was younger. I wanted to push the boundaries a little and this impulse to do the opposite to what was expected has led me into a very fulfilling career of using both my language and tech skills, which I have enjoyed immensely.” 

June continues: “I remember being in an assembly at Dame Allan’s, where English Teacher Mrs Williams was giving her retirement speech to a room full of girls. She reminded us to never forget that women before us had sacrificed and fought so we could enjoy the privileges and rights we now took for granted - such as the right to vote. And that it was our duty to actively use those rights. I often wondered if she would have made such a point of making this speech if it had been a mixed room of boys and girls - I suspect not. I always felt supported by passionate girls and staff at Dame Allan’s.”

Three Women that Inspire Me

In honour of International Women’s Day, we also asked June for three women who inspire her:

1 - My aunty Ena! She was diagnosed with breast cancer as a single parent with school-aged kids, and later on bowel cancer too. She embodied the phrase ‘no limits’ - she worked so hard, managed to raise her children, and buy a house. She was always glam and lovely, and I often find myself wondering ‘what would Ena do?’ when I have to make a decision. 

2 - Agatha Christie. She was a much more talented writer than she is given credit for, and a real theatre person too. She has an amazing body of work (also writing under a pseudonym), and had a challenging and atypical upbringing. When her mother passed away, her husband at the time also left her and she had somewhat of a breakdown. Her grit and determination to be economically independent saw her write some of her best work, and  she fearlessly travelled the world. In fact she met her second husband, an archeologist, at a dig in modern-day Iraq. I find her very inspiring.

3 - Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg. She was an ‘unexpected Duchess’, taking up the mantle when her sister abdicated after public pressure following her conduct in WW1. Her reign is the longest of any Luxembourgish monarch since 1815. During WW2, she based herself in London, and held regular BBC broadcasts, establishing her as a focus for the resistance movements in Luxembourg. She "leaned in" in modern speak, stepping up to the responsibility of leadership. I really admire her shrewd political analysis, her ability to learn from mistakes, and her acceptance of the leadership role. Still too often as women we think we can't lead, or don't feel ready for it. We shouldn't limit ourselves - there are enough obstacles without self-imposed ones!

Useful Links

June has recommended the below useful links to aid parents and children online:

• Her own organisations’ ‘Better Internet for Kids’ website
• UK Safer Internet Centre, helping people stay safe online, plus their information on reporting harmful  content 
• Childline’s ‘Report Remove’ website, which helps young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet.