Outspoken, straight to the point and a woman of many talents, Diane Abbott MP turns 64 today (27 September 2017).

We admire how she handles the frequent attempts to undermine her achievements and legacy, often by people who haven’t achieved half as much as she has. On the occasion of her birthday, we have put together ten things about the politician that you may not know.


1 Did you know…

Elected an MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington in 1987, she become the first black woman to hold a seat in the House of Commons.

 

2 Did you know…

Countdown to International Women’s Day: 10 inspirational figures we love

She was the only black student at her school, Harrow County School for Girls.

 

3 Did you know…

Abbott was born in 1953, in Paddington, London, to a welder and a nurse who had immigrated to Britain from Jamaica two years earlier.

 

4 Did you know…

10 Things you probably didn’t know about Diane Abbott

Despite being dissuaded to apply to Cambridge, she studied history there at Newnham College.

 

5 Did you know…

10 Things you probably didn’t know about Diane Abbott

In 2008, her speech on civil liberties in the counter-terrorism debate won Parliamentary Speech Of The Year in the Spectator awards.

 

6 Did you know…

10 Things you probably didn’t know about Diane Abbott

Diane Abbott founded the London Schools and the Black Child initiative, to raise educational achievements among black children.

 

7 Did you know…

10 Things you probably didn’t know about Diane Abbott

She was shortlisted for the Grassroots Diplomat Initiative Award, one whereby people who have put the public’s interest on a high level receive acknowledgment. She remains in the directory of the Grassroot Diplomat Who’s Who publication.

 

8 Did you know…

10 Things you probably didn’t know about Diane Abbott

Diane was Race Relations Officer at the National Council for Civil Liberties from 1978 to 1980.

 

9 Did you know…

10 Things you probably didn’t know about Diane Abbott

In September 2011, The Telegraph called her ‘one of Labours best frontbench performers’.

 

10 Did you know…

10 Things you probably didn’t know about Diane Abbott

She worked as a researcher at Thames Television and then as a reporter for TV-AM before becoming a press officer for the Greater London Council.

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4 comments

  1. Diane has always been an inspirational woman among people of colour. She is a brave woman and has represented different members of society in a positive manner . We continue to be proud of her and hopefully we have more people like her.

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