Local MP Mary Macleod celebrated International Women’s Day on Thursday 8 March by inviting young women from her local schools to shadow her for the day in Parliament. The seven students who were nominated by their head teachers to participate in the day were:
- Tulsi Hansla (Heathland School Yr 12)
- Anastasia Gallon (Brentford School for Girls Yr 10)
- Flora Ramsay (Chiswick Community School Yr 13)
- Lizzie Rodipe (Isleworth & Syo Yr 12)
- Katrina Kelly (Gumley House Yr 13)
- Anisha Gurung and Sneha Lopes (Hounslow Manor School Yr 11)
Mary and the students attended a number of events to mark the day, among them a Women for Women International rally on the Millennium Bridge with Cherie Blair QC and afternoon tea with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt. Hon John Bercow MP, in the Speaker’s State Apartments.
The theme for the day was ‘Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures’. MPs from across all parties were encouraged to take part and inspire young women who are interested in politics or taking a leading role in the community by inviting them to Parliament.
Mary commented, “I was absolutely delighted to see so many MPs taking part and inspiring the next generation of future leaders. I hope that the young women have enjoyed seeing their MPs in action and leave with a positive message about political life and how they can become involved and make a difference. It is important that we continue to work to open up the representation of Women in Parliament and perhaps in a few years some of these young women will return as MPs”.