Glass ceilings are being shattered by inspirational and remarkable women
THE fantastic Women Of The Year lunch, celebrating the incredible achievements of remarkable ladies from all walks of life, is one of the highlights of the year.
This week, I was honoured to meet so many women of all ages and backgrounds who really are making a difference.
A special award was given to the brave and tenacious women who campaigned for justice for the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.
Earlier this year, an inquest finally ruled that Liverpool fans were not responsible for what happened that day.
The campaigners have walked a long, hard road but finally they are within sight of achieving justice for those who unlawfully died, as well as the relatives who will mourn them forever.
Regardless of your politics, it was a moving moment when Prime Minister Theresa May presented the award to campaigner Margaret Aspinall, whose son was one of those killed.
Margaret thanked the PM, saying that she had helped the campaigners while she was Home Secretary, adding she was the only politician she really trusted.
Our PM isn’t one to wear her heart on her sleeve, but she was visibly moved when Margaret gave her a spontaneous hug.
It was a very special moment for all of us on the room.
When I interviewed the PM afterwards, she spoke of her I find it sad that Lisa Riley felt she had to take a lie detector test to prove she hadn’t had a gastric band fitted.
She actually achieved her dramatic weight loss by exercising and eating sensibly.
Like me, her figure has been transformed thanks to her love of Zumba.
She’s fit, healthy and happy.
Sadly, some people, especially those noxious trolls on social media, have upset Lisa by claiming she resorted to surgery to achieve her size 14 shape and eight-stone weight loss.
Instead of ignoring them, she actually took the test on Loose Women this week. She passed with flying colours. I do hope that clears things up. But what a shame that, instead of celebrating her achievement, mean-spirited people decided to criticise Lisa, forcing her to resort to such drastic action. admiration for Margaret and all of those who fought so hard and for so long.
She was also very passionate about making sure more young girls are given the opportunity to enter politics and said that she had met a six-year-old girl in primary school who had told her that she didn’t realise women could be Prime Minister.
Obviously the little one was too wee to remember Mrs Thatcher, but it shows we still have a long way to go.
Other women honoured included Lizzie Jones, whose husband Danny died suddenly last year aged just 29 while playing rugby.
He had an undiagnosed heart condition, but might have been saved if there had been a defibrillator at the sports ground.
Despite being widowed at the age of 30 and left with five-monthold twins, Lizzie has launched a remarkable bid to have defibrillators installed in rugby grounds all over the UK and she wants to expand her campaign to every single sporting venue in the country.
Lizzie is a remarkable woman and it was a joy to meet her and all of the others who quietly beaver away making the world a better place.
The event was hosted by presenter and comedian Sandi Toksvig who has just taken over as host of QI from Stephen Fry, the first woman to host a prime-time panel show.
Glass ceilings are being shattered and I left the event feeling optimistic, energised and full of admiration for what women can achieve.