We are pleased to share that two of our Alumnae have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours for their exceptional service to society.
Dorothy Whittington (Class of 1948)
Dorothy Whittington was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her service to volunteering and higher education. Her work on The Oxford University Newcomers’ Club, an organisation dedicated to helping those who are new to the University settle in, highlighted her for the award.
She also helped to establish The Sunflower Circle at OHS, a community dedicated to leaving a legacy donation to us in their will, to ensure that girls in the future can benefit from the same brilliant education she enjoyed.
Anna Lapwood (Class of 2014)
Anna Lapwood, an organist and choral director, was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to Music. In 2016, Anna was appointed Director of Music at Pembroke College, Cambridge, at only 21 years old – the youngest person to hold the position.
Nicknamed the ‘Taylor Swift of Classical Music’, Anna has given the organ a whole new image, inspiring thousands of young women to ‘#PlayLikeAGirl’. She was also the first woman in Magdalen College, Oxford’s history to be awarded the Organ Scholarship.
On her website, she said:
“I still can’t quite believe it, if I’m honest. It was a total surprise. I was leafing through my letters and saw one marked ‘On His Majesty’s Service’ – I’ve never ripped something open that fast in my life! I cried when I realised what it was.
This honour has inspired me to keep pushing for the causes close to my heart. Everyone should have the option to pursue a career in music: nobody should feel they aren’t welcome in our industry because of who they are. Fighting for this is rarely easy, but the joy of seeing people unlock their potential makes it all worthwhile.” Anna Lapwood