New Senedd Member featured in Vogue ‘forces for change’ list

A new Senedd Member has been featured in Vogue magazine’s ‘Forces for Change’ list.

Natasha Asghar was elected to represent South Wales East in the Senedd at the beginning of the month, becoming the first-ever women of colour to be elected to the Welsh parliament.

She is of Pakistani heritage. Her father Mohammad Asghar represented the same constituency until his death in 2020.

Vogue magazine said the list aimed to “highlighting changemakers: the women making a positive contribution to society, raising awareness and changing mindsets on topics spanning climate change, diversity, mental health, gender rights, disability and more”.

“Natasha Asghar made history on 8 May when she became the first woman of colour from Wales to get elected to the Senedd (Welsh Parliament),” the article adds.

“Additionally, it makes the Conservative Party politician – who represents South Wales East – the first [from Wales] in the House of Commons and European Parliament, too.”

She is featured in the list alongside Kristen Clarke, the first black woman to lead the US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights division, and Joanne Anderson, the first black woman to become mayor of a British city when she was elected by Liverpool.

Also featured are Martha Koome, who was appointed Kenya’s first-ever female chief justice, and Laurence des Cars, the Louvre Museum’s first female president in its 228-year history.