UFH Celebrates Everyday SheHeroes During Women’s Month

• UFH Celebrates Women Staff During Women’s Day: The University of Fort Hare commemorated women staff members’ contributions to the institution’s growth and community protection under the theme #EverydaySheHeroes.
• Event Highlights for Women’s Month: Organized by the GBV Prevention & Gender Diversity Office and partners, the event highlighted diverse roles women play in the university, from research to maintaining safe spaces.
• Recognition of Long-Serving Female Staff: Ms Joanne Smith, the longest-serving female staff member since 1987, was honored, symbolizing resilience and dedication within the university.

The University of Fort Hare (UFH) has honoured women staff members who have played a vital role in the institution’s growth and protection of its community, celebrating them under the theme #EverydaySheHeroes during a recent Women’s Day dialogue.

The event, held as part of Women’s Month, showed the contributions of women across different roles, from those answering phones and conducting research to those maintaining safe spaces and offering protection on campus. UFH used the occasion to pay tribute to women whose dedication has shaped the university and supported its mission over the years.

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Organized by UFH’s GBV Prevention & Gender Diversity Office (GBVGD), in partnership with the NRF-DSI SARChI Chair in Sexualities, Genders & Queer Studies, and the university’s Human Resources division, the dialogue not only honoured long-serving female staff but also created space for meaningful conversations among women in higher education.

Among the women recognized was Ms Joanne Smith, the longest-serving female staff member at UFH. She began her career in 1987 as a Library Assistant at the East London campus, back when the main building was still under Rhodes University. Her decades of service stand as a symbol of resilience, dedication, and institutional memory.

The university reaffirmed that these celebrations are a reminder of the significant role women play daily in advancing education and fostering a culture of equality.