North West and Irish Region kindly sent me a Feminist History Calendar as a Christmas present, and there are numerous influential and courageous women named on that calendar who are not widely known or celebrated for their trade union or political activity and campaigning.
I am proud to follow in the footsteps of Eleanor Marx, who formed the first women's branch of our union and who was the only nominee to be unanimously elected to the union’s executive council in May 1890.
It was only recently that we recognised her part in our founding and now celebrate the anniversary of her birthday every year on the 16th January.
Eleanor was also confronted with sexist views within the trade union movement. At that time, male trade unionists were hostile to the idea of equal pay for women, as men were seen as being the ‘breadwinner’ and the family wage earner.
We can still learn from Eleanor and her firm belief that the inequality between working men and women is about the way our society is organised. The fight is not against men, but against the profit driven system that leads to inequality.
Therefore, working men and women need to unite in their struggle against exploitative bosses and imbalances of power.
Eleanor realised too that working-class women have different priorities and fights from wealthier women.
Today, as an older, heterosexual, white cisgender woman, I know that my lived experience, the barriers I face, are not the same as other woman who are BAME, LGBT+, have a disability or young.
As individuals, if we are prepared to educate ourselves, and to listen to others, we can be an ally to those who are fighting for decency, social justice, and equality. We can help to break down those barriers that hinder inclusivity.
We can amplify the voices of those underrepresented or victimised, whether that is solidarity for Black Lives Matter, the LGBT+ community, those with disabilities, for young or older workers, or international solidarity for refugees or Palestinians.
It is up to us all, whatever the year, to break down the barriers, to fight against inequality, and the imbalances of power that stop people from fulfilling their potential.