Sandy Pitcher

Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Laws
Gender, Work and Social Inquiry

Ten years ago I majored in women's studies, feminist politics and feminist legal theory. In fact these subjects kept me sane during some rather dry elements of my law degree. When I started at University of Adelaide I was only 16 years old (although I soon turned 17!), and had moved to Adelaide from a small country town to undertake University studies. My first course was a women's studies subject and I am still in contact with friends I made in that very first subject. My lecturers and tutors were a great support base, and I soon found myself very involved in the student's association as Women's Officer and a member of the Student Union Board. I was inspired by these experiences and my studies to get involved in community groups, and I convened the Women's Electoral Lobby in Canberra amongst other volunteer work.

I credit my studies in the gender and social inquiry disciplines with equipping me with my most valuable life skills, including the ability to critically analyse reports, understand the importance of a range of perspectives in policy and legal work and to always value the power of high quality research.

Since leaving university my work has taken me to Canberra, Sydney and London. I have been lucky enough to work in areas I care passionately about - from heading the Corporate and Parliamentary office in the Commission for Racial Equality in the UK, to working as the Deputy Director in the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency in Sydney and the national Office for Women in Canberra. Not bad for a country girl who used to be the only feminist in town!

When I returned to Adelaide from London I was welcomed back with open arms - many of the inspiring lecturers and tutors who had encouraged me in my career were still inspiring new batches of graduates. I am proud to be a graduate of this faculty and am honoured to be able to work with the Gender, Work and Social Inquiry discipline in my work with the Office for Women.