Baroness Betty Boothroyd 1929-2023
The Open University has today paid tribute to its former Chancellor Baroness Betty Boothroyd, who has died at the age of 93.
Baroness Boothroyd was the OU’s fourth Chancellor, from 1994-2006, and the first woman to hold the role. From 1992 to 2000 she served as Speaker of the House of Commons, in her trailblazing style becoming the first woman to hold the role.
Paying tribute Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Professor Tim Blackman, said:
“As our Chancellor and then as a member of the House of Lords, she was one of the OU’s finest ambassadors, greeting every single student at graduation ceremonies as if they were a lifelong friend. Never forgetting, each and every one of their incredible journeys and the sacrifices they had made to further their education.
“She epitomised the spirit of The Open University, persevering, challenging boundaries and dedication to the cause of education for all. We were extremely proud when she accepted our invitation to be our Chancellor in 1994, a role she served with excellence in her distinguished style.
“The thoughts of everyone at The Open University are with the friends and family of Betty Boothroyd. Her contribution to British life, The Open University and every one of our alumni who had the honour to have their degree conferred by her on them, will not be forgotten.”
In 2002, Betty Boothroyd shared her views on her role as Chancellor at the OU, saying:
“I want to be associated with [The Open University]…because it reaches people of all backgrounds, all types and sizes and shapes and ages of people. And it takes in people who have probably missed out, like I missed out when I was younger, didn’t get to university. It’s the next best thing that happened to me after being Speaker, I tell you that, I’m very pleased about it”.
Across The Open University, you can see the affection and admiration that OU staff, students and alumni have for their former Chancellor. In 2006, the OU’s library, on the Milton Keynes campus was renamed ‘The Betty Boothroyd Library’ on the occasion of her retirement as Chancellor.
To this day, the University hosts a Betty Boothroyd online exhibition and archive, detailing her extraordinary career and contribution to British life and The Open University https://www.open.ac.uk/library/digital-archive/exhibition/91.
