Edinburgh Law School alumna launches Scotland’s first female graduate and young professional network
Thu 6 February 2025
(Images in this article are by Arianne Finlay)
Annabel Blackwood, a recent Edinburgh Law School graduate and currently a trainee solicitor, launched the first female graduate network in Scotland as a fully structured organisation in January this year. The network aims to bring together female graduates and young professionals through wellness, social and community engagement.
Whilst at Edinburgh Law School, Annabel was very involved with the Edinburgh University Law Society, serving as a Year Representative in her first and second years, Vice-President in her third year and President in her final year. She recommends all current students to join a community like the Edinburgh University Law Society.
Annabel said: “Joining the Law Society was one of the best decisions I made in my first year of University. It allowed me to connect with students across all year groups which provided me with guidance and enabled me to meet a wide range of people. It truly was one of the highlights of my University experience.”
After graduating from the LLB programme in 2023, she found that she missed the social and community network that being a student provided. This is what led her to create Girl Grads Run in September 2023, a social and pace-inclusive run club to meet like-minded women, bringing the community aspect to running.
As the community grew, Girl Grads Run started to host other wellness events primarily aimed at runners. Such was their popularity, Annabel decided to rebrand the group in July 2024 to 'Girl Grads' expanding to host more community and social events.
Although running still plays a large part in the community, Girl Grads aims to create a hub, bringing together female graduates and young professionals within Edinburgh and the surrounding areas to connect and support women through wellness, social and community events in an informal and enjoyable way.
Annabel said: "We'll continue to focus on our free run club, but we're also collaborating with new wellness and community initiatives in Edinburgh. Knowing how daunting it can be trying out new activities, Girl Grads enables women to come together in a safe and welcoming space, to do this and meet new people. Many girls stop participating in sporting activities during their younger school years, so we're providing a space for them to find the love for movement again.
"In terms of the professional events that we’re looking to also host, it’s about shining a spotlight on opportunities in Scotland, from wellness opportunities to professional opportunities, and creating events that are accessible. I think networking can seem very daunting, however we want to provide a space where people feel that they can chat away and just get to know other female professionals also working in Edinburgh.”
The popularity of the community is evidenced by the fact that Girl Grads' latest event with Financially Fearless (as part of Hargreaves Lansdown), ‘Take the First Step: Become an Investor,’ which focuses on financial wellness, saving and investing, sold out within five minutes of going live.
If you’re a student or recent graduate thinking about starting your own business or community, Annabel suggests trying not to worry about what people will say or the potential mistakes you might make.
Annabel said: “Speak to as many people as possible….and I’d also say try and not worry too much about what other people may think. I have definitely worried, but it does all work out and even if something doesn’t go right, it is a learning curve and an experience. I always think, just go for it, because if not, you'll always wonder 'what if?’”
Find out more about Girl Grads by visiting the website and Instagram