HERE are the finalists in our search for Merseyside’s Women of the Year.
Since the awards were launched in the Daily Post in March, we have received a flood of nominations for women working in the fields of business, public service, learning, the community (at home and abroad) and arts and entertainment.
The judging panel has whittled the nominations down to a final list of 16 - you can see them all on the following pages, followed by a special vote for the winner of the most prestigious title of all - Merseyside Woman of the Year 2011.
The awards, organised by Jean Gadsby, Ellie Kerr and Elaine Owen, directors of Women In Business, are now in their ninth year and will be held on Friday June 24 at the Crown Plaza hotel on Liverpool’s waterfront.
This year for the first time Women in Business is to award a bursary to two LJMU students in their final year of study, which can be the most difficult year financially.
The Students will be selected in collaboration with LJMU, and awarded to individuals who have overcome, or are in the process of overcoming the barriers often presented to women, or who have made a difference in their community, particularly to the lives of women.
As well as voting here, you can send your vote on a postcard to Jane Haase, Merseyside Woman of the Year 2011, Liverpool Daily Post, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool. L69 3EB. Please include your name, address and tel number. Voting starts today and runs until midnight June 16.
The awards are sponsored by: VItaflow; O2; Liverpool John Moores University; Knowsley Chamber of Commerce; Parr Street Studios; Courtney Consultants; Nicola Harris Beauty
Williams Coburn Hairdressing; Liverpool Womens Hospital; Designated Associates; Don’t Start Without Me; David M Robinson; Dutch Flower Shop and The Chocolate Cellar.
Cath Bowen
Age hasn’t slowed down Cath Bowen who at 81 still attends the Sunflowers Cancer Support Centre every week, as she has been doing for more than 17 years.
A mother-of-four Cath lost her husband Joe to cancer 18 years ago.
Every week she goes to Sunflowers to help fundraise and listens and supports people who are going through very emotional times.
Sharon Carroll
AFTER a career in banking Sharon Carroll decided on a change and moved into the beauty industry.
In tough economic times she opened the luxury Chill Out Spa in the grounds of Knowsley Hall.
Sharon has been unwavering in her belief in her business, which is now an award winning spa in the North West.
Angela Cholet
Angela is Chief Executive with Knowsley Domestic Violence, which she established in 1995, as the only member of staff.
She opened the first purpose-built women and children’s refuge in October 2005, and over 200 women and 300 children have stayed at the refuge.
Angela has also devised a network of foster homes for pets of at risk families so that when women and children are re-housed, they are reunited with their pets.
Lisa Collins
As a parent of three children, Lisa says she struggled to find the sort of childcare she wanted one with an emphasis on outdoor play.
She felt there was a real gap in the market for purpose built nurseries where young children and babies went outdoors every day and so started Daisy and Jake Nursery in Wirral.
Over six years, her business has grown to three nurseries and from five to 102 jobs and she invests in learning and development of the staff and has 18 apprentices at any one time.
Lisa has plans to be one of the first Eco Nurseries in Wirral and this complements the already existing Forest School.
More finalists >>>>
