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Around 100 years ago last November, women of very different political persuasions were taking up seats in London town halls. They were elected on 1 November 1909 – the first time women had the opportunity to stand as candidates in all London boroughs, when more than 60 female candidates appeared on the ballot papers. "The fact is, that 100 years on, organisational culture and individual expectations combine to prevent women being well represented at the very top of our political organisations, and the local government leadership bodies are no exception to that rule." The Times newspaper, at the time, suggested the move reflected the extent to which women were already involved in public life. Those pioneers included some women who went on to shape the politics of their borough. Ada Salter, then prominent in the Independent Labour Party, led a radical attack on poverty, striving to make her Bermondsey a beautiful place to live. Over in Kensington, Charlotte Keeling was part of an influential band of Conservative women who combined council work with charity and innumerable committees. She influenced public assistance, health and maternity care, and the lives of many individuals. And Mary Balkwill was one of two women representing the Progressive or Liberal Party who had previously won by-elections in Camden. These women were not just active as councillors. They all recognised the need to work in the wider public sphere. They were prominent on regional and national organisations, but passionate about the need to get things done locally. When London goes to the polls again this year, all political parties will be promoting a wide array of women candidates, assisted in part by the excellent work that London Councils and the Leadership Centre for Local Government undertook piloting the www.beacouncillor.org.uk initiative. But a century after those London pioneers were elected, would they be satisfied with progress? As the first woman mayor in London, would Ada Salter tolerate the current levels of women in positions of leadership? Would that consumate committee chairman, Charlotte Keeling, feel happy meeting the LGA executive of three women and 14 men, or the IDeA board of directors, all 13 of whom are male? Some of the other local government organisations we wrote to earlier this year did far better, usually through a concerted effort to recruit women to board vacancies or bring in a better balance using co-option. But there remains a serious under-representation of women at the top of our representative bodies. The fact is, that 100 years on, organisational culture and individual expectations combine to prevent women being well represented at the very top of our political organisations, and the local government leadership bodies are no exception to that rule. Even though thousands of very able women have followed in the footsteps of those London pioneers, local government leadership is far from reflecting the strength of female talent it will find in every local community. We hope all boards and executives will start to take this issue seriously, and ensure women are properly represented at the senior levels of their organisation. Ada, Mary and Charlotte would have enjoyed joining in the debates and making decisions. Their successors need to know all opportunities are open to them. Anne Baldwin is secretary of the Women's Local Government Society

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WHITEHALL

Has equality moved on in a century?

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