Adela, a Women's Award Winner
posted: 30/06/2009
Adela has won one of the Manchester Awards for Women 2009. The awards featured a stunning line-up of strong, focussed women who are working hard to improve women's lives in the city of Manchester.
The awards took place in Manchester Town Hall on Thursday 25 June and they were presented by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Alison Firth, Councillor Val Stevens, Deputy Leader of the Council, and Councillor Mary Murphy.
The awards covered seven categories, and included women who have made outstanding contributions to health, business, culture or the environment. There were also awards for women contributing to the lives of older women, one for an outstanding young woman, and a special award in honour of Kath Locke (1928-1992) for the person who made the biggest contribution to the role of women in public life.
Unseen but vital work
Councillor Val Stevens, Deputy Leader at Manchester City Council, said: "This was a wonderful and moving occasion and I was honoured to be around these strong women who have all made an impact on the lives of people around them and the wider community. I think it is important that we take time to recognise this often 'unseen' and vital contribution that they make to so many people's lives. This was an opportunity for us to celebrate our pioneering and determined women and a chance to thank them for their roles in making our city a better place to live."
The women's awards are part of the Council's 'Proud of Manchester' year-long campaign which recognises outstanding citizenship in the city.
Winners
Women and Health Award was won by Adela
- Adela is a postive speaker volunteer with George House Trust who talks to people all over the city about HIV. She works tirelessly to challenge stigma and discrimination against HIV positive people.
Women and Culture Award was won by the LIS Team for the feminist play - LIS - performed in prisons. The LIS team are based at the University of Manchester Students Union. LIS is a modern day adaptation of Aristophanes' Lysistrata - a 2,400 year old Greek drama about ending war, women's rights and gender roles. The adaptation was set in Manchester to make its feminism relevant to women today. They perfomed it in local prisons and drrg and alcohol services.
Women in Business Award was won by Christine Humphrys for the alcohol free shop. Christine, from east Manchester, set up an alcohol free shop in the city centre 3 years to help make alcohol free alternatives to people who need to reduce their intake or abstain from alcohol to improve their chances of better health.
Women and the Environment Award was won by the Manchester Women's Design Group. It is made up of volunteers from Manchester with a commitment to ensuring that the built environment is created with women's needs at heart. The group have recently created a gender checklist, a best practice guide that planner can use to ensure they meet women's needs when planning in the city.
Valuing Older Women Award was won by Amina Latimer and Rebecca Asgill.
- Amina is from Hulme and is a well known volunteer in the city - events have included International Women's day, Commonwealth Games, children play schemes, Manchester Art Gallery and Manchester paralympics at SportCity. She actively looks for volunteering opportunities that will bring her into contact with a wide variety of people.
- Rebecca is from Moss Side and has dedicated her time over the past 11 years working the community and at the Windrush Centre helping yournger and older women of all nationalities to improve their lives and their language skills. She has also worked tirelessly with older people on adult literacy classes and on programmes with regugees and asylum seekers on Esol courses.
Outstanding Young Woman winner was Charlotte Hughes.
Charlotte is from Hulme, she was 20 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She has been actively campaigning www.charlottesshiningstar.org.uk and lobbying to change the law so young women can have smear tests earlier to detect cancer sooner and save lives. Charlotte has been caring for her daughter on her own since her daughter's father died, all whilst battling her own illness and campaigning so other young women don't lose their lives.
Kath Locke Award was won by Ruth Ibegbuna.
Ruth developed the Reclaim girls project in Moss Side to encourage young woment to have self-esteem, ambition and pride in their community. Reclaim's mission is to work with vulnerable young people in areas associated with crime, unemployent or social instability. Reclaim acts as a tool to inspire, provoke leadership and challenge negative behaviour and to offer positive life choices to young people.
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