A Welsh Conservative MS has been named in the BBC’s list of the 100 most influential and inspiring women from around the world for 2021.
Natasha Asghar, who is a Senedd member for South East Wales, made history this year when she became the first woman of colour to be elected to the Senedd since it was formed in 1999.
Ms Asghar, who is also the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport and Technology, said:
“It is a huge honour to be named in this list alongside some extremely talented and trailblazing women, who have achieved great things in their significant positions.
“I have been overwhelmed with messages and support since the list was revealed and I would like to thank everyone who has reached out to me.
“It is a huge privilege and I am truly honoured to have been included in such a prestigious list.
“However, my work is not done. I want to inspire people from all walks of life and backgrounds to become involved in politics and I will work tirelessly to help others follow in my footsteps and enter the political arena.”
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies MS added:
“Natasha smashed the glass ceiling six months ago, making history as the first woman of colour to be elected in the Senedd.
“She is already proving to be a fantastic MS, adding great value to the Senedd and the Welsh Conservatives and if she is not in the chamber holding the Labour Government to account, she is out and about in her region meeting constituents and trying to help them. She never stops.
“Being ranked in the top 100 most influential and inspiriting women across the world is a fantastic achievement and it is well deserved. I know her family will be extremely proud, and her late father, Oscar, will be looking down with pride.
“Congratulations Natasha from all of us in the Welsh Conservatives.”
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AS y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn cael ei henwi ar restr o’r 100 o’r menywod mwyaf dylanwadol ac ysbrydoledig yn y byd
Mae AS y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig wedi’i henwi yn rhestr y BBC o’r 100 o fenywod mwyaf dylanwadol ac ysbrydoledig ym mhedwar ban byd yn 2021.
Fe wnaeth Natasha Asghar, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros y De-ddwyrain, hanes eleni gan mai hi oedd y fenyw groenliw gyntaf i gael ei hethol i’r Senedd ers ei sefydlu ym 1999.
Meddai Ms Asghar, sydd hefyd yn Weinidog Trafnidiaeth a Thechnoleg yr Wrthblaid y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig:
“Mae’n anrhydedd o’r mwyaf cael fy enwi ar y rhestr ochr yn ochr â menywod eithriadol ddawnus ac arloesol sydd wedi cyflawni pethau gwych mewn rolau pwysig.
“Rydw i wedi fy syfrdanu gan y negeseuon a’r gefnogaeth rydw i wedi’u derbyn ers cyhoeddi’r rhestr a hoffwn ddiolch i bawb sydd wedi cysylltu â mi.”
“Mae’n fraint ac yn anrhydedd enfawr cael fy nghynnwys ar restr mor fawreddog.
“Fodd bynnag, mae fy ngwaith yn parhau. Rydw i am ysbrydoli pobl o bob cefndir i gymryd rhan mewn gwleidyddiaeth ac rwy’n gweithio’n ddiflino i helpu eraill i ddilyn fy esiampl a chamu i’r arena wleidyddol.”
Ychwanegodd Andrew RT Davies AS, arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig:
“Chwalodd Natasha y nenfwd gwydr chwe mis yn ôl, pan wnaeth hanes fel y fenyw groenliw gyntaf i gael ei hethol i’r Senedd.
“Mae eisoes yn profi ei hun fel AS gwych, gan ychwanegu gwerth anhygoel at y Senedd a’r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig ac os nad yw hi yn y siambr yn dwyn y Llywodraeth Lafur i gyfrif, mae hi allan o gwmpas ei rhanbarth yn cyfarfod etholwyr ac yn ceisio eu helpu. Mae’n ddi-stop.
“Mae cyrraedd y rhestr o’r 100 o fenywod mwyaf dylanwadol ac ysbrydoledig ledled y byd yn gryn orchest sy’n gwbl haeddiannol. Rwy’n gwybod y bydd ei theulu yn falch dros ben, a bydd Oscar, ei diweddar dad, yn edrych i lawr yn llawn balchder.
“Llongyfarchiadau Natasha gan bawb yn y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig.”
