Ahmereen Reza OBE was delighted to open CWO National AGM. CWO is the oldest affiliated female political organisation in the world.
Celebrating the Conservative Women's Organisation's 106th anniversary, Ahmereen praised the CWO's enduring legacy of empowering women in politics and shaping future leaders within the Conservative Party.
Reflecting on her own political journey, she described the CWO as instrumental in her development, highlighting its role in turning "ambition into action and representation into reality." She emphasised that the organisation is not only about increasing women's representation but also about building a strong grassroots network that supports, mentors and equips women to take on leadership roles.
Highlighting the organisation's impact, she noted that over the past year the CWO had delivered 25 training and upskilling workshops for 375 women and provided more than £50,000 in support to female parliamentary candidates at the last General Election.
Issuing a call to action, she urged more women to step forward into public life, telling attendees that they do not need to be perfect, wait their turn or seek permission to lead. "Leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room; it's about being the voice that changes the room," she said.
Drawing inspiration from Kemi Badenoch and the legacy of Margaret Thatcher, she argued that when women rise into leadership, nations are transformed. She expressed her hope that many of the women in the room would one day take their seats on the green benches of Parliament.
She concluded by thanking CWO leaders and volunteers, including Pamela, Louise, Susan, Hilary, Tracy and regional chairmen across the country, for their dedication, hard work and commitment over the past year.
