Dr Eva Eden AM

Eva was born in Hungary and educated at Cambridge University, England. She is remembered for her commitment to the rights of women and students. From 1964 to 1984, Eva was the Principal of Janet Clarke Hall at the University of Melbourne – the longest period held by a Principal in the college's history. It was also during this period that Eva guided the College through a period of radical change, in which it became co-educational.

In 1975, she served as Chair of the Victorian Government Committee on the Status of Women. The recommendations she made for equal opportunity legislation during this time have since become law. Dr Eden was also the first Chair of the Women in Management Committee of the Australian Institute of Management.

An alumnus of Girton College Cambridge, Eva's academic career as a biochemist at Cambridge, Sydney, University of Western Australia, Monash and Melbourne Universities was complemented by senior educational roles as Vice Principal of Women's College in the University of Sydney, and Warden of St Catherine's College in the University of Western Australia. Alongside other voluntary roles, Eva was Chairman of the Association of Independent Schools in Victoria, President of the Australian College of Education and President of the Women's Graduate Association. She was also a member of the Melbourne University Council, the Firbank Grammar Council and Toorak College Council.

In 1986, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), and a doctorate honoris causa from the University of Melbourne, in recognition of her service to education.