To mark International Women’s Rights Day, celebrated every March 8, the Royal Society of Edinburgh has unveiled a list of six women who, over its 300-year history, have left their mark on the institution. Among them, Dr. Debora Kayembe, former Rector of the University of Edinburgh and committed human rights activist, features prominently. The ranking, the result of a survey of Fellows and alumni of the Young Academy of Scotland (YAS), aimed to identify the female figures who have most influenced their academic and professional careers.
It is often said that true leadership is not based solely on titles or positions held, but rather on the influence and positive impact a leader exerts on those who follow. Dr. Debora Kayembe fully embodies this definition. Her journey, punctuated by struggles for equality, access to education and social justice, has touched and inspired many people around the world. As Honorary President of the University of Edinburgh, she was the first black woman to hold this position, breaking barriers and paving the way for a new generation of diverse leaders. Her commitment to equal opportunities and the decolonization of higher education now ranks as a legacy that guides major decisions at this prestigious institution, the third largest in the UK.
