UK parliament gets first woman ‘Black Rod’

Sarah Clarke, the former director of the Wimbledon tennis championships became the first woman to hold the post of “Black Rod” in the British Parliament, breaking its 650-year history of men only. Tasked with banging on the House of Commons door to summon MPs to the Queen’s Speech every year, Black Rod plays a key role in parliamentary events. Besides ceremonial duties, the Black Rod is responsible for controlling access to and maintaining order within the upper Lords chamber.