I was excited to see that I had been shortlisted for my second award of the year.  The Dods Women in Public Life Awards celebrate women leaders in society and seek to recognise and promote the work of women in politics, business, the civil service and community leadership.  It is so important to highlight the achievement of women in public life as they are so under-represented in this area.  I hope that by at least being shortlisted, other women will be encouraged to join me in this field.

The Awards which are now in their sixth year, aim to highlight the achievements of outstanding women role models amongst us.  I have been shortlisted for Local Government Personality of the year.  You can read the shortlist for this category here and for all the various categories here.

This weekend I received a community leadership award for the work I do to represent my constituents in Barking and my work as chair of the health and adult services scrutiny committee, at the good neighborhood scheme awards ceremony, which was held in Barking.

It was an honor to accept this award, although my passion for community representation does not come from external recognition but seeing the difference in the lives of people I represent when I am able to intervene in their particular circumstances which spur me on.