A pioneering group which works to promote female graduates who battled against the historically male dominated world of higher education has celebrated its 90th anniversary.

Dozens of members of the Huddersfield Association of Women Graduates came together to raise a glass at Fixby Golf Club.

Founded in 1924 the association sought to encourage more educational opportunities for women who, for a substantial part of the 20th century, were an uncommon sight in mixed institutions.

They also wanted and to be a ‘family’ like base where women could meet others like them much more easily and reduce the risk of isolation.

Also keen to improve the lives of women and girls from around the world by helping them open doors into higher education, they began to provide scholarships for those who lived locally as well as further afield and even abroad.

Joined at the event by the British Federation of Women Graduates Regional Representative Betty Pritchard, the club’s secretary and University of Liverpool graduate, Margo Weston, said: “It was a pretty special occasion and was most enjoyable.

“It’s a lifeline to many women who otherwise may not have found it easy to meet other women who had been to university during a time when most students were men.”

It was a double celebration for the association, who also awarded member Eileen Twigg a 50 year membership certificate, to thank her for her continued role.

Over the years she has taken part in the association’s numerous groups and enjoyed dozens of cultural trips, as well as helping with its efforts to fund the education of two African girls.

Eileen, now 83, joined the group after completing a degree in history at the all-female Bedford College.

She said: “It’s a fantastic group to be part of that has given me companionship with those who had the same experiences as myself and was something that prevented feelings of isolation whilst bringing up two small children in Huddersfield.

“Whilst I was fairly lucky in that I attended an all women’s college, many other women in mixed colleges felt like they were treated as second class citizens.

“Since I joined HAWGs has undergone a large change which has seen a drop in new members joining because there are now so many women who can access higher education, which is delightful and is something that the association has always campaigned for, as we want to further women’s opportunities and enable them to get to the top of their career.”

For more information on the group call Margo on 01484 351384.