In 1998, having just finished a job as Director of a neighbourhood economic development organisation with thirty staff and an income equivalent to £4.0m today, a British Gas salesman asked me when my husband would be home to sign the agreement for a new gas boiler. I asked what would happen if there was no husband? It transpired that, in that case, it would be okay for me to sign the agreement. I'm not sure which was more shocking: it being 1998, women were expected to have husbands, or married women did not have autonomy to sign agreements.

I'm always inspired by the women who came before and fought for the rights we have today. I admire your courage insisting on your rights.