Dawn Butler MP, Member of Parliament for Brent Central, has been warmly honoured in the borough of Waltham Forest, where she was born and raised, with a blue plaque to celebrate her as a local hero and in recognition of her contributions to politics and community activism.
The plaque was unveiled above the Farm Community Kitchen, formally Butlers Bakery and situated on Can Hall Road, which was were Dawn grew up at her father’s bakery, and where she would work baking bread and cakes and serving in the shop when she was younger. The plaque was commissioned as part of the Waltham Forest Council’s public ‘Pick our Plaques’ campaign. The Council sought nominations from local residents to pick their local heroes that have a connection to Waltham Forest and Dawn was chosen as a local hero to celebrate. This prestigious award comes shortly after Dawn was named one of the 25 most influential women in the UK by Vogue magazine. Dawn has also been named both Labour MP of the Year and Overall MP of the Year in 2017 and 2018 by the Patchwork Foundation.
Dawn said following the unveiling “This is one of the most treasured honours in my life. I have been committed to service from the moment I could remember and this love of serving the community was instilled in me by my Father. He was a great man, he always wanted the world to be a better place, he didn’t understand why racism existed and he went through so much but was never bitter, he just wanted change. I think of him every day and to think that there will be a blue plaque in perpetuity, which honours his hard work makes me very proud. I am sure he will be smiling down proud of his little girl.” Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said “Dawn is one of the most talented and committed people I have encountered in politics. We have been friends for many years and I know her devotion to public service is one she inherited from her family. She is passionate about community and an inspiration to many Londoners and I am so proud to see her honoured in this way.”