I could go on and on and on about the absurd twisting of facts, the erasure, the deliberate and concerted act of invisibility foisted upon a fellow Black woman, but I’d like to flip the script instead and end this very frustrating story on a high note. And the most fitting way I could think to do that is to take those 46 times that Abbott stood to be heard and honor her steadfastness by celebrating her and the great work she’s done. To that end, I leave you with 46 amazing accolades that are just a snapshot of Diane Abbott’s illustrious career. For every moment you stood, I stand in solidarity and say, on behalf of every Black woman that has ever been made to feel invisible in the world: we see you.
1. Pioneering Politician: In 1987, Diane Abbott became the first Black woman elected to the British Parliament.
2. Dedicated Leader: Diane Abbott is the longest-serving Black member of Parliament. As of today’s date, she has served over 4 decades and counting.
3. Educational Reformer: In the 90s, Diane Abbott founded the London Schools and the Black Child Initiative to raise educational achievement levels among Black children.
4. Program Innovator: Through London Schools and the Black Child Initiative, Diane Abbott launched the Aiming High program in 2003, the first-ever government program for supporting educational achievement among Afro-Caribbean students.
5. Civic Connector: Diane Abbott co-hosts a London-wide conference annually with the Mayor of London to bring together teachers, children, parents, educators and relevant groups.
6. Black Excellence Celebrator: Every year, Diane Abbott hosts an annual, London-wide awards event that recognizes and celebrates Black students who “manage to excel and impress academically.”
7. Award-Winning Orator: In 2008, Diane Abbott won The Spectator magazine’s Parliamentary Speech of the Year Award for the speech she delivered during the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2008 debate.
8. Community Pillar: In 2022, Diane Abbott was presented with the Weekly Gleaner Platinum Award for “being an iconic pillar of the black community for over 40 years.”
9. Global Development Leader: From September 2015 to June 2016, Diane Abbott served as Shadow Secretary for International Development.
• In case you’re wondering, a “shadow secretary” in the UK political system is a senior member of the main opposition party who serves as the spokesperson for a specific policy area and critiques the corresponding government minister. Each shadow secretary is part of the Shadow Cabinet, which is led by the leader of the opposition. Their role is to scrutinize the work of their counterpart in the government, proposing alternative policies, and holding the government to account on issues within their purview. This system allows the opposition to offer an alternative government team, ready to assume office if they gain power.
10. Public Health Advocate: Diane Abbott was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Public Health in October 2010 and served in this role until 2013.
11. Security Analyst: From October 2016 until April 2020, Diane Abbott served as Shadow Home Secretary, the first Black woman to do so.
12. Electoral Victor: In 2015, Diane Abbott was reelected by landslide majority to her Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency.
13. Black Entrepreneurship Rallier: Diane Abbott founded Black Women Mean Business in 1992, a “not-for-profit group with a simple agenda; to support, encourage and celebrate black women involved in business as well as black entrepreneurship in general.”
14. Employment Facilitator: Diane Abbott leads the Employability Forum, an organization working with refugee and migrants to help them get work in the UK. The organization is currently working on a project to increase diversity within the teaching profession in London.
15. Phenomenal Philanthropist: Founder of the Diane Abbott Foundation, which undertakes research into the causes, and manifestations of racial disparity in the UK.
16. Academic Honoree: In 2011, Diane Abbott received the Scopus Award. This award, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, recognized her contributions to the education sector and her efforts to promote equality and access to education for all, particularly in underrepresented communities.
17. Equality Expounder: Diane Abbott received the Fawcett Society Award from the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for gender equality and women’s rights, acknowledging her work in advancing equality.
18. Influential Leader: Diane Abbott is listed in the Black Britons Power & Inspiration 100, which celebrates the most influential Black Britons who are inspiring the next generation with their contributions to overcoming barriers and achieving significant success.
19. Cultural Icon: Vogue named Diane Abbott one of Britain’s most influential women. In the March 2024 special issue, she was recognized as one of Britain’s most influential women, celebrating her impact in politics and her role as a trailblazer for women of color in the UK Parliament.
20. Media Trailblazer: In 2017, Diane Abbott was named Icon of the Year at the inaugural Viacom Diversity in Media Awards in London.
21. Community Voice: The Voice Newspaper recognized Diane Abbott for her continuous advocacy and commitment to representing and voicing the issues affecting the Black community in the UK.
22. Inclusivity Advocate: Diane Abbott was presented with the Muhammed Aminul Haque Award for services to underrepresented communities at the Patchwork Foundation’s MP of the Year Awards in 2020.
23. Legislative Changemaker: Diane Abbott has led numerous debates and motions on key issues such as health, education, and civil liberties, contributing significantly to legislative changes.
24. Health Equity Defender: Diane Abbott has been a strong advocate for reducing health disparities, particularly among minority communities, pushing for equitable access to healthcare services.
25. Civil Liberties Protector: Diane Abbott has campaigned vigorously against legislation that she views as infringing on civil liberties, including her opposition to the “Snooper’s Charter.”
26. Voice for the Disenfranchised: Diane Abbott has been a vocal supporter of justice for the Windrush generation, advocating for government accountability and proper compensation for those affected.
• The Windrush scandal was a British political scandal that began in 2018 concerning people who were wrongly detained, denied legal rights, threatened with deportation, and in some cases deported from the UK. The thousands of affected people who came to the UK between 1949 and 1971 from Caribbean countries, were dubbed the “Windrush generation” (after the Empire Windrush, the ship that brought one of the first groups of West Indian migrants to the UK in 1948).
27. Anti-Austerity Activist: Diane Abbott has spoken out against austerity measures (e.g., government spending cuts and tax increases) that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, advocating for policies that promote economic justice.
28. Crime Prevention Strategist: As Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott emphasized the need for a holistic approach to tackle knife crime, focusing on community-based interventions alongside policing.
29. Refugee Rights Champion: Diane Abbott is a strong voice in Parliament for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, advocating for humane treatment and fair processes.
30. Mental Health Advocator: Diane Abbott has highlighted the need for better mental health services, particularly emphasizing the importance of community and school-based mental health support.
31. Political Diversity Espouser: Diane Abbott has worked to increase representation of minorities in political roles, mentoring young politicians and supporting initiatives aimed at diversifying political candidates.
32. Digital Inclusion Advocate: Recognizing the digital divide, Diane Abbott has advocated for initiatives that ensure all communities have access to digital technology and the internet.
33. Education Funding Proponent: Diane Abbott has campaigned against cuts in education, advocating for increased funding to ensure schools are well-equipped to provide high-quality education.
34. Anti-Racism Activist: Diane Abbott has spoken out against racism in sports, supporting campaigns aimed at eradicating racial abuse from stadiums and promoting diversity in sports teams and management.
35. Public Transport Reformer: Diane Abbott has been a proponent of improving public transport systems to ensure they are safe, reliable, and accessible for all, particularly in underserved areas.
36. Living Wage Supporter: Diane Abbott has supported initiatives aimed at establishing a living wage for all workers to ensure economic stability and reduce poverty.
37. Senior Citizen Guardian: Diane Abbott has been an advocate for the welfare of senior citizens, ensuring they receive adequate support and services to lead dignified lives. She has called for enhancements in elder care and access to healthcare tailored for older populations.
38. Environmental Justice Campaigner: Diane Abbott has addressed the impact of environmental issues on marginalized communities, advocating for policies that ensure environmental justice and reduce pollution in low-income areas.
39. Youth Engagement Leader: Diane Abbott has been instrumental in encouraging youth participation in politics, advocating for their voices to be heard in policy-making and supporting youth leadership programs.
40. Arts Patron: Recognizing the importance of cultural representation, Diane Abbott has championed funding and support for arts programs that highlight diverse histories and cultures.
41. Women’s Rights Crusader: Diane Abbott has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, supporting initiatives aimed at combating gender-based violence and promoting gender equality in the workplace.
42. Housing Equality Enforcer: Diane Abbott has worked to address discriminatory practices in the housing market, ensuring fair access to housing for all citizens regardless of background.
43. Worker Safety Champion: Diane Abbott has emphasized the importance of workers’ health and safety, advocating for stricter regulations to protect workers across all sectors.
44. Local Business Ally: Diane Abbott has promoted policies that support local businesses, recognizing their role in community development and economic stability.
45. Educator and Public Speaker: Diane Abbott frequently participates in workshops and public speaking engagements to educate the public on issues of social justice, health equity, and political participation.
46. Campaigner for Food Security: Diane Abbott has advocated for policies to address food insecurity and ensure that all people have access to healthy and affordable food.
Oh, and in case you may be wondering, YES, I deliberately put her name on every one of these 46 amazing accolades. Unlike what happened in the House of Commons, we don’t endorse forced and involuntary invisibility, mysoginoir, or erasure ‘round these parts, mmkay!? And, I would be grossly remiss to not mention that the Right Honourable Diane Abbott is the daughter of Jamaican-immigrant parents. That’s it. That’s the whole fact. iykyk
Until next time, I wish you nothing but sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns, which are no less real than the marvelous, magical, and memorable creature you are.
The Invisible Black Woman 
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