With 2018 being 100 years since women got the vote, Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales has chosen 100 women who have influenced Welsh life – 50 historical and 50 amongst the present day.

From the first Welsh female MP to suffragettes, anti-slavery campaigners, poets and medical pioneers, the shortlist includes women who have made waves in arts, business, education, politics, social reform, public services, sport, science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Hilary, a Professor of Microbiology and a scientist for over 30 years, has been a pioneering figure ever since she arrived at Swansea University in 2010.

She plays numerous leadership (UK wide and international) roles within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), shaping the future direction of research, supporting the international networking of scientists and the exchange of scientific ideas for the benefit of the global scientific community.

At Swansea University Hilary leads, directs and supports the progress of STEM through her current role as Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor – a position she has held since July 2015 – and won the STEM Pioneer Award at the 2017 Womenspire Awards for her tireless work inspiring, supporting and encouraging women in STEM at all levels locally, nationally and internationally.

Recently, Hilary devised the “Utilising All Our Talent” initiative at Swansea University, which established a senior group of female staff, facilitating both networking and support. For International Women’s Day in 2015 she created the “Inspiring Women” campaign, whereby women from all areas and careers stages were showcased and celebrated.

In 2014, she brought “Soapbox Science”, a public outreach platform promoting female scientists, from London to Swansea to challenge the public’s perception of women as scientists and to inspire the next generation of female scientists, and attracted the very successful British Science Festival to Wales that Swansea University hosted in September 2016.

Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE, Swansea University’s Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor said:

“'I am absolutely delighted and humbled to be named on the list celebrating 100 inspirational Welsh women.

“The history of Wales shows that there are so many women who have had a significant impact on our culture, and the way we live our lives today – so to be named amongst so stellar names really is an honour for me.

“We have a big part to play for the women of the future, those who want to realise their dreams and, ultimately, see that women's contributions are valued.”

Tavi Murray is a Professor of Glaciology and has been with the University since 2005. As well as this, she is Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Swansea University and is at the forefront of research that informs the debate on one of the pressing issues of our time: climate change.

“I’m truly humbled to be named on this list. What a wonderful and exciting celebration of women’s achievements in Wales to mark 100 years of women’s votes.

“It’s an enormous honour to be named along with such inspiring women who have had, and are having, such a positive impact on life in Wales.”

This comes on the back of Elwen Evans QC – Swansea University’s first female Head of Law – being named in the list of 100 of Wales’s brilliant women as part of International Women’s Day in March.

In September, 50 of the historical women will be whittled down to five by a panel and put to public vote to decide which of the legendary women will be cast in iron, with a statue taking pride of place in Central Square in Cardiff.