Phyllis Gordon-Spencer at an early presentation ceremony

Phyllis, originally the Director of the Girls Training Corps youth movement contacted Sir John Hunt, the first Director of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, about the creation of a girls’ branch of the Award.  He spoke to the Duke, and she was appointed to run it.

John Hunt said at the time of the founding: “It has the makings of an enlightened and appropriate scheme” and Prince Philip commented that it was “a bit complicated, but I’m quite happy that it should be tried as it is.”

Speaking at the time, she said: “We were absolutely clear about whom we had in mind for the Award – the teenage girl of 15-18.  We asked ourselves what was going to be interesting and worthwhile for her to do in her spare time.”

When Phyllis set up the programme for girls, she thought of the girl in the inner city who never thought of getting themselves out into the countryside, not the type to join the Guides or even the local youth club.  She said at the time “We were interested in girls who never thought of joining anything. With this programme they didn’t have to wear a uniform, they didn’t have to commit themselves to anything.  We had to attract them into learning more about things that might interest them.”

The first syllabus Phyllis created on May 2nd 1958 was submitted to the editor of Vanity Fair and featured subjects under the heading of ‘Grooming and Poise’.  About 15,000 girls took part in the first three-year pilot project. One of the most popular sections was called Design for Living, which included skills such as the art of make-up and hair care, what to wear, how to run a home, flower arranging, cookery and entertaining friends.

Sarah Lindsell, UK Services Director, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award said: “We will always be indebted to the value of the legacy left by Phyllis. She laid the foundations that today reflect the evolving nature of the DofE. We have gone from a programme that was absolutely right for the 1950s, then the social changes of the 1960s, right up to date where DofE programmes take place in a variety of settings, including the girl’s juvenile centre, the Mary Carpenter Unit in HMP Eastwood Park.”

Renowned sailor, canoeist, trans-Atlantic Rower and Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Debra Searle said: “I owe a lot to inspirational figures such as Phyllis Gordon-Spencer.  My love of adventure was given an outlet as a teenager through doing my DofE, in which I achieved the Gold Award.  Phyllis opened the doors and minds of young women in the UK by encouraging them try their hand at traditionally male pursuits alongside more traditional interests.”

She continued: “There is something very empowering about completing a new goal, especially when the goal seems impossible beforehand.  When I was young, I felt I had so many limits to what I was able to achieve but I was wrong.  The only limits to what we can do are the limits that we set for ourselves and I had been setting mine too low for too long.”

Valerie Pitman OBE, Honorary DofE Advisor and Probation Board DofE Manager for the Northern Ireland region of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award said: “Phyllis was the Founding Director of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award  for girls, which was created 50 years ago this year.  It was as a young member of the National Advisory Committee in the 1970s that I was privileged to get to know Phyllis when she became a Trustee of the DofE upon her retirement. S he took time to ensure that I understood how the DofE had evolved and what underpinned its ethos, which I have never forgotten.  She gave generously of her time to support the DofE at all levels and her advice and guidance was always based on the best interests of young people; she took every opportunity to meet with them and enjoy their company.  I remember Phyllis at the time when the DofE Head Office was based in Prince of Wales Terrace, a building which was particularly structurally challenged.  She was happy to roll up her sleeves and provide well-positioned buckets to collect the rainwater.”

Eric Rainey MBE DL, DofE Director for Northern Ireland said: “Phyllis was one of the first people I met when I joined in 1980.  She had been at the very heart of the DofE and was always ready and willing to advise and share her passion for it.  She knew that under enthusiastic leadership it totally transformed the lives of young women.”

Peter Westgarth, Chief Executive of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award said: “I can not emphasise too much the importance of the impact Phyllis Gordon-Spencer had on The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  It is hard to imagine that such an important initiative as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award would not have included young women from the outset but that was how things were back in the 1950’s.  It took Phyllis’ vision and determination to ensure that young women would benefit from the life-changing opportunities doing the DofE provides, just the same as young men.  Thanks to Phyllis, 135,000 young women of all backgrounds and abilities take part in DofE activities each year – a wonderful legacy of an inspiring lady.”