Councillor Helen Horne

What made you decide to become a councillor?

I decided to be a Councillor because my husband had just finished being a District Councillor and I thought it would be interesting. I wanted to give something back to the community and I like being involved in local affairs.

Who is your female role model and why?

I do not have a role model of either gender. I ask when I want to know, listen and then use the advice I think appropriate.

Why is it important to have women councillors?

It is important to have women councillors as women represent over 50% of the population. Therefore, in a democracy, women need as strong a voice as their male counterparts, who seem still to outnumber them disproportionately.

100 years on what are the battles still to be fought?

100 years on it sometimes feels that little has changed. In fact it can be more difficult as a lot of women think the battles have been won and still refuse to acknowledge the subtle, hidden inequalities. Women are still not taken seriously in politics. They are not listened to. It is important to have women in public life to give voice to issues that affect women in the community, things like the difficulties facing single mothers, victims of domestic violence and older women living alone.

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