What do you think?
Rate this book
A Purposeful Life: What I’ve Learned About Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Change
Dawn Butler is the trailblazing Labour MP for Brent Central, best known for speaking truth to power. In 2021, she was famously ejected from the House of Commons and threatened with police for calling Boris Johnson a liar. Her tireless campaigning to eradicate injustice, from the Met Police to the NHS, has changed lives, but until now, she's never talked openly about what has inspired and motivated her to persevere in the face of oppression.
Drawing from lessons from her own life, Dawn shows how traditional routes to success and power are outdated, and reveals that it's easier than we think to disrupt a broken system. She shares the values, people, places and beliefs that have helped her forge her own authentic path to power, including celebrating the strength of diverse communities, looking at an issue from all angles, and embracing intersectionality to drive real change. As the third Black woman ever to be elected as an MP, Dawn is a true pioneer, and now she wants to give others the courage and conviction to dream big and improve the world around them.
Ultimately, A Purposeful Life is uplifting and hopeful, showing how anybody can make positive change, even when our systems and structures feel irrevocably broken.
Drawing from lessons from her own life, Dawn shows how traditional routes to success and power are outdated, and reveals that it's easier than we think to disrupt a broken system. She shares the values, people, places and beliefs that have helped her forge her own authentic path to power, including celebrating the strength of diverse communities, looking at an issue from all angles, and embracing intersectionality to drive real change. As the third Black woman ever to be elected as an MP, Dawn is a true pioneer, and now she wants to give others the courage and conviction to dream big and improve the world around them.
Ultimately, A Purposeful Life is uplifting and hopeful, showing how anybody can make positive change, even when our systems and structures feel irrevocably broken.
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2024
2 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 9, 2023
Dawn Butler was only the third black woman to be elected as an MP, and she was the first elected African-Caribbian woman to become a Government Minister. I've become increasingly disillusioned with MP's from all parties. Labour under the present leadership seems to only interested in power even if it means ditching core Labour values. Dawn Butler is a breath of fresh air, often outspoken but always a voice standing against injustice. This book was a fascinating insight into her past and what motivates her to do what she does.
She speaks at length on two of the events that she gained headlines for. When a car she was travelling in as a passenger was stopped by police for no good reason other than the fact that her and the driver were black. She goes into length the discussion she had with the MET Police and again and again finds holes on what they say. All this is set against the background that many black people have of their experience with the police. She's campaigned against the injustice of systemic racism in the police force and this hasn't always made her very popular but her life experiences of racism are immuminating while it's sad that we are still having to battle such injustice.
Dawn was also famously ejected from the House Of Commons for calling Boris Johnson a liar. Something that a subsequent enquiry found to be true. The lack of support that she received from her own party is disappointing but also shows how politics is so often a game played by the powerful who don't want to rock the boat. That's why we need more people like Dawn Butler in politics.
Even within the Labour Party she has faced attitudes which even if they aren't out and out racist are certainly examples of unconcious bias. The Labour Party really should be doing much better.
Dawn comes across as passionate campaigner against injustice. She's not afraid to rock the boat but never does it just for the sake of it. She encourages people to stand up and make a difference.
Much of her passion comes from her parents who she speaks of with much fondness. An incident from childhood frames much of the person she is. A teacher called her a liar after she told of witnessing a flying cockroach while visiting Jamaica. Because the teacher had no experience of such a thing she assumed it couldn't exist and that's the attitude of so many who just because they haven't experienced prejudice because of their skin colour they think it's not around.
Towards the end of the book she speaks about her experience of her breast cancer diagnosis and the shock she felt. Fortunately it was diagnosed early but her experience is moving.
She speaks very little otherwise about her life outside Parliament choosing to keep most of the private. But this is a refreshing book. We need more politicians like Dawn Butler who will take a stand against injustice. But this book has come at just the right time for me when I've become increasingly jaded with the state of Parliment in general and the lack of integrity. Dawn Butler shows us that there are still some in Parliment who have their integrity in tact.
She speaks at length on two of the events that she gained headlines for. When a car she was travelling in as a passenger was stopped by police for no good reason other than the fact that her and the driver were black. She goes into length the discussion she had with the MET Police and again and again finds holes on what they say. All this is set against the background that many black people have of their experience with the police. She's campaigned against the injustice of systemic racism in the police force and this hasn't always made her very popular but her life experiences of racism are immuminating while it's sad that we are still having to battle such injustice.
Dawn was also famously ejected from the House Of Commons for calling Boris Johnson a liar. Something that a subsequent enquiry found to be true. The lack of support that she received from her own party is disappointing but also shows how politics is so often a game played by the powerful who don't want to rock the boat. That's why we need more people like Dawn Butler in politics.
Even within the Labour Party she has faced attitudes which even if they aren't out and out racist are certainly examples of unconcious bias. The Labour Party really should be doing much better.
Dawn comes across as passionate campaigner against injustice. She's not afraid to rock the boat but never does it just for the sake of it. She encourages people to stand up and make a difference.
Much of her passion comes from her parents who she speaks of with much fondness. An incident from childhood frames much of the person she is. A teacher called her a liar after she told of witnessing a flying cockroach while visiting Jamaica. Because the teacher had no experience of such a thing she assumed it couldn't exist and that's the attitude of so many who just because they haven't experienced prejudice because of their skin colour they think it's not around.
Towards the end of the book she speaks about her experience of her breast cancer diagnosis and the shock she felt. Fortunately it was diagnosed early but her experience is moving.
She speaks very little otherwise about her life outside Parliament choosing to keep most of the private. But this is a refreshing book. We need more politicians like Dawn Butler who will take a stand against injustice. But this book has come at just the right time for me when I've become increasingly jaded with the state of Parliment in general and the lack of integrity. Dawn Butler shows us that there are still some in Parliment who have their integrity in tact.
October 17, 2023
Audiobook version not kindle
One of the most dynamic subjects within parliment who has remained steadfast in justice for local and national UK residents, while showcasing her authentication throughout. Her story so far highlights her roots as an East Londoner, high achieving lawyer, breast cancer survivor and dependable member of parliment. One of the best modern political biographies currently on the shelves and digital libraries.
Cleo Sol-Gold album
One of the most dynamic subjects within parliment who has remained steadfast in justice for local and national UK residents, while showcasing her authentication throughout. Her story so far highlights her roots as an East Londoner, high achieving lawyer, breast cancer survivor and dependable member of parliment. One of the best modern political biographies currently on the shelves and digital libraries.
Cleo Sol-Gold album
March 25, 2025
My sister told me about Dawn Butler and I had to read this. I found this an inspirational read and had me thinking could do any and everything with much or little. I’m so thankful to have read this at the start of the year as I’m truly inspired to make the most out of my life!
Well written book about her life, health, politics and other stories. So many quotes that had me fired up for my next journey. Thanks again to my sis for putting the Lime jacket wearing Dawn on my radar.
Well written book about her life, health, politics and other stories. So many quotes that had me fired up for my next journey. Thanks again to my sis for putting the Lime jacket wearing Dawn on my radar.
September 1, 2025
An exceptional book from an MP who is honest and speaks truth to power.
She famously got ejected from parliament for calling Boris Johnson a liar, but there is so much more to her story than that.
You will see (or hear - I listened to the audiobook version) her opinions on the police and the justice system, as well as inequality and bias. She also goes into detail about her health.
Really worth a read. Dawn Butler is quite inspirational.
She famously got ejected from parliament for calling Boris Johnson a liar, but there is so much more to her story than that.
You will see (or hear - I listened to the audiobook version) her opinions on the police and the justice system, as well as inequality and bias. She also goes into detail about her health.
Really worth a read. Dawn Butler is quite inspirational.
July 26, 2024
I'm very disillusioned with and distrusting of politicians but it was refreshing to read Dawn Butler's genuine drive to create a culture change within politics and how her experiences of racism, sexism and later cancer have influenced her activism.
August 14, 2024
Dawn Butler shares her childhood experiences — some of which are so crazzzy— like her teacher chastising her that time regarding her summer holiday to Jamaica 🇯🇲— what an incredible lady, I love this book 🩷🩵💚
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews