Janet and Lois attend the Voice & Vote exhibition in Westminster Hall
Janet and Lois attend the Voice & Vote exhibition in Westminster Hall

I was pleased to welcome Lois as my first school work experience placement this week.

Lois is a student at a Lewisham East school and I was delighted to show her what life is like in the House of Commons. As MP I aim to host these placements on a regular basis as part of my broader efforts to encourage young leaders from all backgrounds.

One of our first activities was to visit the Voice & Vote exhibition in Westminster Hall. This brilliant and interactive exhibition tells the story of women in Parliament, from the campaign for suffrage, to representation in Parliament and beyond.

Women have often endured great adversity in the ongoing journey to take our rightful place as equals in the political process. Although sometimes it can feel like there is still much to do I was proud to see the strides that have been made by  amazing women like Betty Boothroyd, Baroness Hayman and the late, great Dame Tessa Jowell, among many others.

I was also moved to see that my own name had already been added to the list of female MPs. I know I won’t be the last and its my hope that women like Lois will one day follow in our footsteps.

You can learn more about this exhibition and book your own visit here.

Janet at the Voice & Vote exhibition
Janet at the Voice & Vote exhibition
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