Live from the BBC Radio Theatre this very morning the long awaited Woman's Hour Power List was finally announced by Jane Garvey and Jenni Murray. Selected by Power List judges Reni Eddo-Lodge, Heather Rabbatts, Rachel Johnson and Liz Bingham chaired by the Telegraph's women's editor Emma Barnett this year the list featured no politicians but instead focused on women who had not achieved power though traditional methods. Instead the panel had focused on what they called 'game changers'.
Reni Eddo Lodge said she was looking for “Women who can’t just stroll into parliament and demand a meeting with X Y Z” The panel struggled to agree on who these game changers were. Emma Barnett commented: “I think our first meeting was quite chaotic and dreadful!” Jane Garvey noted that last year’s list was more of “An accurate reflection of what Britain is” where as this year’s list was more focused on unsung heroes. Reni asked: “why is it when we think about power we immediately go to traditional antiquated means of power? Let’s think outside the box.” Rachel believes that: “power is not held in the centre anymore which I think is a good message.”
So here is the list of women identified as game changers by the Woman's Hour Power List judges, cue 'Top of the Pops' countdown tune…
At number 10, described by one of the judges as “Decontaminating feminism for a younger generation” was writer and broadcaster, who is also up for the vote on our power list, Caitlin Moran, who responded to the news she was on the power list with a “Booyakasha!”
Next at number nine was Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, Laura said: “I’m completely shocked! It’s incredibly exciting to think what we’re doing…for that to be recognised as game changing… it’s a huge honour.” Judge Emma Barnett explained they picked Laura because: “You created a platform, one of the things we were looking for was a legacy." The archive being created by Everyday Sexism is certainly that.
We were very pleased to see the very funny comedian, actress, writer, activist and self described 'wobbly person' Francesca Martinez at number eight. Emma said of Francesca: “She has spearheaded and galvanized a movement for disability rights.” Francesca has campaigned to secure a debate in Parliament on welfare reform for sick and disabled people.
Dido Harding, chief executive of Talk Talk made a welcome return to the Power List, this time at number seven, earning her place by leading the way on filters for porn and suicide sites.
Doubling up at number six are co-founders of Daughters of Eve Layla Hussein and Nimko Ali for their campaigning to raise awareness over FGM. Reni said: “Layla and Nimko really came to the fore because…they’ve managed to change the national discourse [on FGM]…it had to be both of them because they’re saving the lives of girls across the UK.”
At number five was Julie Bentley chief executive of GirlGuiding. Julie said: “It’s quite something to be in that esteemed list! …I’m feeling a bit shellshocked…I came into the organisation as an outsider…I’ve totally fallen in love with girl guiding…we started girlguiding because a group of girls crashed a scouts meeting and said what about us and if that’s not feminism I don’t know what is!…One of the most important messages that GG is delivering..is that you can be the game changers”. Our founder Lynne Parker has been working with GirlGuiding on confidence building and comedy so we are delighted to see Julie on the list!
Voted in to fourth place on the Power List was social activist and founder of Magic Breakfast, a charity that provides free nutritious breakfasts to primary school children, Carmel McConnell. Liz commented: “we talked about selflessness and risktakers and Carmel fitted both those criteria…she’s tackling a number of key issues in our society.”
Professor Nazneen Rahman, a Geneticist and Doctor specialising in cancer and disease gene recovery, made number three. Rachel said the panel had chosen Rahman early on: “When we were doing out research…Rahman was a name that came up very soon…looking into her we realised this is a woman who came quite late to cancer research…she describes herself as an accidental doctor and is now making great strides in cancer research… [her] legacy could improve the lives of millions.”
Of the second in the Power List the judges said: “Here is one woman who said this is a disgrace things need to change” Whistleblower and founder of Cure the NHS Julie Bailey made it on to the list for her exposure of the failings at Stafford Hospital.
And now we come to the woman who made it to number one on the list.
Theresa May, number two on last year’s Power List, announced the number one for this year's list, “she has never given up…she has dealt with everything with absolute dignity”. The woman selected as the number one game changer was Baroness Doreen Lawrence for her endless courage and work to win justice for her son Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a racially motivated attack 15 years ago. Doreen said that Macpherson report on institutionalised racism had “allowed people to speak openly about racism…young people should have the confidence to challenge racism” though she added “there’s still more to be done”. Definitely the words of a game changer.
Pictured: Doreen Lawrence, Francesca Martinez, Caitlin Moran.
