A WOMAN LIKE ME
Memoir, 320 pages
Viking, September 2024
A powerful and moving memoir by the woman who made history as Britain’s first black female MP, telling the story of our nation through her eyes
From challenging expectations as a bright and restless child of the Windrush generation to making history as the first elected Black female MP in the UK, Diane Abbott has seen it all.
In this honest and moving memoir, Diane takes the reader through her incredible journey. She paints a vivid picture of growing up in 1960s North London with her working-class Jamaican parents, before entering the hallowed halls of Cambridge University to study history. Ever since the day she first walked through the House of Commons as the first Black woman MP, she has been a fearless and vocal champion for the causes that have made Britain what it is today. From increasing access to education for Black children and speaking out against the Iraq war to advocating tirelessly for refugees and immigrants, Diane has long been at the forefront of political change in Britain.
Written with frankness and wry humour, A Woman Like Me is an inspirational account that celebrates how one woman succeeded against massive odds and built an extraordinary legacy.
DIANE ABBOTT, MP
Agent: Juliet Pickering
Assistant: Finlay Charlesworth
Born in London in 1953, Diane Abbott attended the Harrow County grammar school and went on to Newnham College Cambridge where she obtained a Masters degree in history.
In 1987, Diane made history by becoming the first black woman ever elected to the British Parliament. She has since built a distinguished career as a parliamentarian, broadcaster and commentator.
In 2008, Diane was awarded the Spectator/Threadneedle Speech of the Year Award and a Human Rights Award from Liberty. Diane is founder of the London Schools and the Black Child initiative, which aims to raise educational achievement levels amongst Black children.
Diane’s memoir, A WOMAN LIKE ME, will be published by Viking in September 2024.
Please direct all queries (excluding those relating to Diane’s books) to Diane’s own website: www.dianeabbott.org.uk