To mark International Women’s Day, we talked to some of the most influential women in Redbridge and asked what challenges they have overcome and what women still have to face.

As the Metropolitan Police’s borough commander for Redbridge, Sue Williams is one of the most senior women in the force.

She has served all over London in her 30 years as a police officer and has been in charge of the Met’s domestic violence work and on its women and policing taskforce.

Det Ch Supt Williams took the work around the world, even advising police in Russia on handling abuse cases.

She believes equality in the Met is improving but there is still a lot of work left to do.

She added: “When I joined there were some huge challenges facing women trying to get into senior positions.

“There have been times where I felt discriminated against and felt maybe if I was a man I would have got that job.”

Sue has set up a women in policing group in Redbridge and has started projects mentoring junior female officers to help them rise through the ranks.

After leaving school with O-Levels and only completing a degree later in life, she puts her own success down to sheer hard work and determination.

Sue hopes that her projects will help a new generation of women into senior ranks.

She said: “I see it as my legacy to the Met and a chance to support them. I don’t want to get to this position and shut the door behind me.”