A Bucks councillor and former Amersham Town Mayor has opened up about her experience within politics.

Mimi Harker OBE has been a district councillor for 16 years and has been elected to Amersham Town Council where she has also been the Town Mayor.

Mimi was awarded an OBE in the Queens New Year Honours List for her work for women and for her local community.

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Next Monday (March 8) is International Women’s Day, the day international that came from Clara Zetki in 1910 at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen.

Claiming the title of Mayor the councillor believes that being referred to Mayoress “undermined” her role within the council.

She said: “Throughout my political activity, I have been referred to as both ‘Mayor’ and ‘Chairman’ which shocks many women around me.

“As Mayor, I had to face that it was a traditionally male role.

“I decided that being referred to as ‘Mayoress’ undermined my position within the council, so I claimed the title of Mayor, showing that I am no less capable than my male predecessors.” 

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The former Amersham councillor knows there are still big strides to be taken for “true equality” but believes that days such as International Women’s Day help inspire future generations.

And even though Mimi believes that International Women’s day is a day to be celebrated she is looking forward to when the world no longer needs to.

She said: “We have a long way to go before we achieve true equality both in work roles and pay but women are now making huge steps in taking on traditionally male roles.

“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to encourage and engage with young women across the world.

“We can show these women that the path has been paved by some incredible pioneers and they can now play a role in advancing equality.

“I look forward to a day when we no longer need international women’s day because it means women are celebrated every day and our equality is accepted for all.”