On Sunday I was delighted to take part in the unveiling of  the Alice Hawkins statue in Leicester. 

Alice lived most of her life here in Leicester where she worked as a shoe machinist and fought for equal rights for women. As part of the suffragette movement she was imprisoned five times campaigning for women to have the vote. 

During the event I heard all about her life, her work and her strong belief in equality. 

It reminds me more than ever just how far we still have to go to have liberty and equality for women in this country. It was a very special day and I am honoured to have been a part of it.