“I think a lot of changes have been made which are for the better but despite there being more women in the world, most positions of power are still held by men. A lot of women suffer from low confidence levels and low self-esteem and it’s hard to ensure in a roomful of men, for example, that you’re not underestimated, and you are listened to. But we should never be afraid to speak up and we should be more vocal.”

Meet Jaya Krishna

YEAR 13 LEADING LADY – 2019/20

In celebration of the 35-year anniversary of the school welcoming girls into the Sixth Form, and the 20-year anniversary of Bradford Grammar School becoming fully co-educational, BGS showcased its leading female Bradfordians and Old Bradfordians #leadingladies.
Leading Ladies - Jaya Krishna

Jaya is a Year 13 prefect at BGS and a first team netballer. She is studying for A Levels in biology, chemistry, French and physics and would like to be a doctor when she’s older.

Which female role model has inspired you?

“My mum. She’s an engineer and one of the only women where she works. She’s passionate about women not being pushed to the side and she’s passed that on to me.”

“My mum says things like ‘don’t be walked over. If you’re working hard and doing what you should be doing, don’t let it go unnoticed.’ She’s definitely encouraged me to speak up. I’ve also found different women inspiring who have been unappreciated yet have done hugely significant things, like Elizabeth Anderson, the first female doctor, and Katherine Johnson who worked at NASA and was key in sending the first man into space.”

What’s spurred your interest in women’s rights?

“Mostly my mum but also the fact that there are issues girls have to face which boys don’t.”

“A girl should be able to walk down to the train station in her sports kit and not get sweaty wearing skins and a hoody because she’s worried about the stares and shouts that she’ll get if she doesn’t. Girls shouldn’t have to worry about not being taken seriously because she dresses and looks feminine. In an ideal world, it shouldn’t be like that and I feel like we shouldn’t just accept how it is.”

What are the biggest challenges facing young women today?

“I think a lot of changes have been made which are for the better but despite there being more women in the world, most positions of power are still held by men.”

“A lot of women suffer from low confidence levels and low self-esteem and it’s hard to ensure in a roomful of men, for example, that you’re not underestimated, and you are listened to. But we should never be afraid to speak up and we should be more vocal.”

What makes a Leading Lady in 2019?

“Someone who’s hard working.”

“I would say not necessarily more masculine (when people say the word feminism, stereotypically, they can think of being more masculine) but being in a high position and not being afraid to have female attributes, like being kind. We shouldn’t be afraid or apologise for our femininity. We deserve respect.”

“We shouldn’t be afraid or apologise for our femininity. We deserve respect.”

Jaya Krishna