Manchester Women’s Awards celebrate city’s unsung heroines

Inspirational women from across Manchester were honoured for their work at a special awards ceremony at Manchester City Council’s Town Hall last night (Thursday 16 September 2010)

Now in its fifth year, The Manchester Women's  Awards celebrate the achievements of the city's unsung heroines and raise awareness of the work they do across the city that benefits the whole community. Mancunians were invited to nominate who they thought deserved recognition for their work across a number of categories including 'Women in the Community', 'Women and the Environment' and  'Valuing Older People.'

More than a hundred women attended the ceremony  where awards were presented by leading politicians and business women  including editor of the Manchester Evening News Maria McGeoghan, Atiha  Chaudry, Chair of the BME Network, Councillor Sue Murphy, Lucy Danger,  chief executive of environmental charity Emerge Recycling and Ruth  Ibegbuna from the reclaim project who compered the awards. A special award - the Elizabeth Gaskell Award in  honour of the novelist, teacher and pioneer for women who lived in Knutsford, was presented to 92 year-old Elizabeth Tebbs.

Elizabeth Tebbs started work at the age of 14  and joined the Trade Union movement where she was shop steward,  representing women and actively working for peace. In the 1960s she became  the only woman councillor in Radcliffe and set up a refugee for women  suffering domestic abuse which is still running today.

Councillor Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader of  Manchester City Council, said: "I'd like to congratulate all those who  were nominated and this year's winners, all of who deserve praise and  recognition for their often 'unseen' contribution."

Councillor Suzanne Richards, lead member for  Women's Issues at Manchester City Council said: "What many of these women  do in their local communities, mainly in an unpaid capacity, impacts on  the quality of people's lives, it makes a difference to their local area  and ultimately makes our communities a better place to live. It is  important that we recognise the fantastic work undertaken by these women  and say thank you for all they do.  "The difficulty was in narrowing down the many  nominations we received to just one winner in each category. Manchester is  clearly rich in talented women who are dedicating a large part of their  lives to making a difference for others."

This year's winners are as follows:

Women and Business award Winners: Manchester Women of Diversity 
Based in Wythenshawe, the group was set up by  volunteers and run projects from cookery sessions to supplementary  schools. They set up the 'Food Cooperative Project' to meet the needs of a  multicultural community.

Women and the Community Winner: Kay Fletcher 
She helped establish one of the first Friends of  Parks Groups in the city at Fallowfield and has helped it grow from  strength to strength. She has shown determination to improve the park and  established the 'Fallowfield Brow Residents' to help improve their local  community. 

Winner: Liz Shaw 
She championed the 'Gorton People, Strong  Together' project and works tirelessly for the community and the people of  Gorton, starting a Youth Forum and Parents Forum and mentors on the  'reclaim' project.

Women and Culture Winner: Womenswrite
The citywide group was set up for any woman who  writes, from any background and any writing ability or experience and has  been described by one member as 'the best thing that ever happened to me.'

Women and the Environment Winner: Sue Hare
Sue is a community guardian and group  coordinator, leading walkabouts, gaining evidence in supporting the need  for an alcohol control zone in Fallowfield. The area now has more street  trees, planters and flowers and less litter.

Valuing Older People Winner: Helen Hibberd This year's winner is the main coordinator for  the Chorlton Good Neighbours, a network of volunteers, who support elderly  and disabled people in their own homes. She also holds weekly coffee  mornings, exercise classes three times a week and organises monthly Sunday  teas, trips and events. Chorlton Good Neighbours won the Queen's Jubilee  award in 2003.

Outstanding Young Woman Winner: Sasha Clarke 
Sasha, from Hulme, demonstrated remarkable personal courage and strength throughout the two years she has been part of the reclaim project. She has inspired all at reclaim by overcoming some difficult personal circumstances.