VOTE 100 Plans already starting

I’m really excited that we already have a lot of interest in next year’s 100 anniversary of women getting the vote.

Labour women know the struggle for equality is not over but it will be a great opportunity to celebrate how far we have come in the last 100 years and to think about where we go next.

As well as Reading Labour Women Forum we have the University of Reading and Reading Trade Union Council already signed up to join in, and there’s lots of ideas around.

I’m particularly keen to ensure that we have diverse voices of women represented reflecting the range of women’s experience so if you have an idea for an event about women’s political activism next year do get in touch, and join the Facebook group too: UK Vote 100 Reading

As an early step I have nominated a personal hero of mine, Phoebe Cusden who was mayor of Reading.  She was a working class Reading Labour woman who combined grass roots activism with international action, and it would be great to get her more recognition. You can find out more about the ‘From Suffrage to Citizenship’ project here.

Our own Mayor of Reading, Rose Williams, can tell a story of how she met Phoebe as a 17 year old girl.