Celebrating International Women’s Day from our phenomenal women Bedford News

This week, International Women’s Day is celebrated during National Women’s History Month in March.

Celebrated on March 8 each year, International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the historical, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day is also observed to support action against gender inequality around the world. To mark this year’s event, Steve Cain has compiled a list of 14 phenomenal women.

HM Queen Elizabeth II – The Queen reigned for an incredible 70 years – longer than any other monarch in British history – becoming a much-loved and respected figure around the world.

Although sex scandals, secret payments and police investigations should be associated more with the latest Hollywood blockbuster than with the life of the Royal Family, the Queen continues to be a shining example of devotion to duty and service, achieving a full schedule of engagements even in the mid-90s.

HRH the Duchess of Cambridge – Since marrying Prince William, Kate has excelled in her role as future Queen Consort, undertaking royal duties and engagements for the Queen.

She is a patron of more than 20 charities and military organizations, her work focusing on issues related to young children, addiction, mental health and the arts. The media dubbed her impact on British and American fashion “the Kate Middleton effect”.

Katie Piper OBE – Katie was a rising model and TV presenter when in March 2008 she was attacked with sulfuric acid by her ex-boyfriend and an accomplice, causing extensive facial damage and blindness an eye.

The following year, she established the Katie Piper Foundation, a charity aimed at raising awareness of the plight of victims of burns and other disfiguring injuries.

Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE – Ever since her 18-year-old son, Stephen, was murdered by racists in 1993, Doreen has campaigned against institutional racism.

She founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, sat on panels in the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police and campaigned for justice for victims of hate crimes which prompted reforms within the services from police.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE – Born with spina bifida, Tanni was one of the UK’s most successful Paralympians, winning 16 medals in five Paralympic Games.

In 2005 she became a Dame for her services to sport and in 2010 she was made a Life Peer in the House of Lords. She has been a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.

Kate Garraway MBE – Kate’s husband Derek Draper was struck down with coronavirus in March 2020 and was hospitalized for over a year.

Since returning home, still struggling with serious health issues, Kate has balanced her role as primary carer with her busy TV career.

Her documentary Finding Derek won a National Television Award and she was appointed MBE for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.

Moira Stuart ECB – Moira became the first black news presenter on British television in 1981 and in a career that spanned almost thirty years she presented virtually every variant of the BBC Newscast devised.

In 2007, she was dropped by BBC TV amid accusations of sexism and ageism.

However, she was soon offered the job of newsreader for Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 breakfast show and played the role for nine years before leaving to become a presenter for Classic FM.

Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE – Since the start of the pandemic, Sarah has been in high demand, providing a reassuring voice and clear, trusted medical advice for the nation.

As well as her regular contributions to ITV’s Lunchtime News, she is also resident physician on BBC’s One Show and Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine.

She also writes regular columns for My Weekly and Good Housekeeping magazines. She was awarded an MBE for her services to general medicine and her understanding of health.

Emma Raducanu MBE – In September 2021, Emma made history by becoming the first qualifier and the youngest British player to win a Grand Slam title at the US Open.

This incredible run saw her rise to number one in the UK and top 25 in the world rankings. She was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December 2021 and received an MBE for her services to tennis as part of the 2022 New Year Honours.

Dina Asher Smith – Dina, from Orpington in south London, is the fastest British woman in history. She currently holds British records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays.

This made Dina the first woman since 1990 to win three European sprint titles at one championship – and the first British woman to win a hat-trick at a major championship.

Lady Sarah Storey – Britain’s most successful and decorated Paralympian of all time had won an incredible five gold medals before the age of 19.

After the 2012 London Games she was named Dame in the 2013 New Year Honours. Since then she has worked as a policy advocate for British Cycling, focusing on promoting road safety for women and people. disabilities.

The Right Honorable Priti Patel MP – A controversial figure, Priti is the first woman from an ethnic minority to hold the post of Minister of the Interior.

A self-proclaimed “Thatcherite”, she took office in 2019. Her tenure has been marred by allegations of intimidation and breaches of the ministerial code.

However, she has been praised for her stance on law and order and she “categorically refuses to allow lawlessness on our streets”.

The Right Honorable Baroness Ruth Davidson – Outspoken, down to earth and likeable, Ruth was the popular leader of the Scottish Conservative Party for eight years, stepping down in 2019.

Openly gay, Ruth supports same-sex marriage but, as a member of the Church of Scotland, believes that religious institutions should not be forced to hold ceremonies contrary to their views.

MP Layla Moran – Layla is the Liberal Democrat Critic for Foreign Affairs and International Development.

She is the first British MP of Palestinian descent and also the first British parliamentarian to declare herself pansexual.

She has spoken of the ill effects resulting from the social stigma of obesity, admitting she suffered from depression as a student before undergoing stomach stapling surgery to help her lose weight.