BBC Wales presenter hosts 'Vale Woman of the Year' awards

 

Three people have been shortlisted in each of eight categories for the first Vale Woman of the Year Awards.

 

To be held at the Barry Memorial on Thursday, 6 March, the awards night has been organised through the Vale of Glamorgan Council with the support of a number of organisations from the private and voluntary sectors. Celebrating International Women's Day, it is being hosted by BBC Wales presenter Jason Mohammad and will culminate in the announcement of an overall Vale Woman of the Year.

 

The eight award categories are for carer, learner, businesswoman, public servant, woman returner, community woman, sports volunteer and young achiever, and those shortlisted will all be invited to the gala event.

 

Feedback from judges, who looked at almost 120 nominations, showed:

 

• a diverse and high standard of entries;

• that it was very difficult to shortlist and choose a winner;

• that they would like to reward each one;

• that the broad range of stories showed the wonderful achievements of women aged 16 to 80 years plus and bode well for the future of the Vale, and

• the stories should be captured in a future event to highlight ‘ordinary women, often achieving extraordinary things.'

 

The following women have been shortlisted:

 

• Businesswoman - Sian Fox, Bee Milbourne and Tiona Williams

• Sports volunteer - Eunice Lamb, Gwyneth Lyngard and Linda Rees

• Community - Olive Brown, Irene Gannon and Audrey Porter

• Public servant - Sian Vaughan, Denny White and Julie Williams

• Carer - Ann Daniels, Marje Foan and Jill Silvester

• Learner - Norma Green, Elaine Jones and Christine Prangley

• Young achiever - Rachael Jeffery, Olivia Rabjohns and Amy Reddaway

• Woman returner - Elaine Harvey, Beverley Lennon and Roya Rashidi

 

Representing the awards steering group, Edwina Vaughan said: "This is a really exciting event and highlights some wonderful stories of the activities of women in the Vale. The event was planned to celebrate International Women's Day, and coincides with many other events across the world.

 

"We are very grateful for the support of the Active Citizenship Fund, the Welsh Assembly Government and organisations who have sponsored individual categories. And also to all of the people who have taken time to nominate women from 16 to 80 years plus, ensuring they are recognised and valued."

 

18/02/2008