209 Women Portrait: Kate Osamor
209 Women Portrait: Kate Osamor

I was delighted to feature with my fellow female parliamentarians in a special exhibition of photographic portraits of today’s female MPs.  The exhibition, “209 Women”, is a collection of striking and intriguing portraits by female photographers showing the diversity of women in Parliament.

2018 saw 100 year anniversaries of key milestones in the ongoing struggle for gender equality.  The exhibition, free and open to the public, is timed to coincide with 100 years since the first election when women were allowed to vote.  On 14th December 1918 women voted for the first time, and in the same year the first female MP was elected.  100 years on, this project marks that significant moment in history, whilst also highlighting the ongoing need for gender equality across society.

My portrait was taken by Charlie Edwards, outside Alexandra Palace.  I grew up in North London, able to see the palace in the distance from my street.  The palace provided a free, beautiful and green space for my family and friends to use and enjoy, and a venue for events and concerts.

Kate Osamor MP said, “It is a huge honour to be a part of this exhibition and represent Edmonton in Parliament.  Growing up in North London and playing in Alexandra Palace, I never would have thought I would be working in the Palace of Westminster one day.”

“There have been some incredibly brave and inspiring women in Parliament over the years, and I know I have some big shoes to fill.  But there is so much that needs to be done.  From the indefinite detention of mothers and families seeking asylum, to the disproportionate impact that austerity has had on women.  These issues brought me here and these issues are what drives me on.”

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  • ‘209 Women’ is a national artist-led project founded by Hilary Wood that aims to champion the visibility of women, particularly in male-dominated environments.
  • The exhibition will hang in Westminster from 14th December to February 2019, and free tickets are available on Parliament’s website, here.  Or visit the exhibition’s twitter page here.
  • The exhibition is supported by Liverpool City Council. In February 2019, it will travel to Open Eye Gallery, to be exhibited in partnership with Culture Liverpool.
  • February 6 marked exactly 100 years since the Representation of the People Act, allowing some women the right to vote. November 21 marks 100 years since the passing of the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, which allowed women over 21 to become MPs on equal terms as men for the first time.  December 14 is a hundred years from the 1918 General Election, when some women over 30 were first able to cast a vote.
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