Outgoing UN secretary Ban Ki-moon spoke to a packed London audience about the impact of Dame Margaret Anstee and his pride in bringing more women into the UN.
The event was held on February 5 at London’s Central Hall Westminster, where the first UN General was held and the first Secretary-General was elected 70 years ago; it was attended by more than 2000 people.
Dame Margaret Anstee (NC 1944) worked for the UN for over four decades in many different parts of the developing world and was the first woman to reach the rank of under-secretary-general (1987-1993).
A few days earlier the Secretary General also mentioned her in his speech of acceptance of an honorary degree at Cambridge, describing her as a pioneer as the first woman to lead a UN military peacekeeping mission. (Angola 1992-1993)
The Honorary Fellow wrote Never Learn to Type, a fascinating account of her remarkable life, and her book and her contribution to the quest for equality was commended by Ban in his speech.
He said: “You may remember Dame Margaret Anstee. She wrote a very famous memoir: Never Learn to Type.
“At that time women the maximum position you would expect was secretary. So you have to know how to type. She wrote a book entitled: Never Learn to Type. It was inspiring, moving. I met her a few years ago. She was the first woman Special Representative of the Secretary-General.”
Ban is expected to end his tenure, after two five-year terms, on 31 December, but speculation on who will be his successor has already begun.
Read more about Dame Margaret here