Science careers for Israeli and Arab women must be given more support said writer and actress Tracy-Ann Oberman.
"Don't teach your daughters to fit into glass slippers, teach them to shatter glass ceilings," she told 100 diners at a lunch in support of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.
"The Institute is a beacon of excellence. It has opened its doors to Israeli and Arab students. Its wonderful facilities are open to all who wish to pursue excellence in the field of medicine and science, regardless of nationality or religion."
The Institute offers female PhD graduates merit-based scholarships - 11 women a year are awarded grants totalling £250,000.
Weizmann UK's Sheridan Gould said: "Over half of science students at Israeli universities are women, but due to family pressures far too few are able to continue their careers. By providing grants we are enabling brilliant young women scientists to continue their research."
The event, held at the St John's Wood home of Lady Rosa Lipworth, raised more than £60,000.