Unsung Heroine Award 2020

Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls
Location: Carlyon Bay Golf Club

To celebrate International Women's Day, Soroptimist International of St Austell and District held an Unsung Heroine Award evening to acknowledge the great achievements and work of women and girls in Cornwall. It's the 5th year that they have been doing this event and it continues to go from strength to strength. It was indeed a very successful and enjoyable evening. I am really pleased and honoured to be a member of this auspicious organisation, Soroptimist International of St Austell and District and be part of this brilliant event.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners. You are all amazing.

We were entertained by vocalist Karen Hurn, accompanied on the pianoforte by Elaine Tangye.

Emily Stevenson was the speaker and presenter of awards. Emily is a marine biologist and co-founder of Beach Guardian.

We were grace by the presence of some powerful and inspiring women from the South West: Hilary Frank, Chairman of Cornwall Council, Margaret Parkinson, SI South West & Channel Islands President Elect and Hilary Genes, Inner Wheel District 129 Vice Chairman.

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March every year. This year, 2020, will focus on the theme: I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights, or put quite simply: "An equal world is an enabled world".

The theme is aligned with UN Women’s new multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality, which marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.

International Women's Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.

Unsung Heroine Nominees: Young Women Age 18 - 21
1) Lottee Brown
Despite serious health issues from birth, she has a gift for music, which she has used to fundraise for many charities. She is an ambassador for CHSW and an anti-bullying campaign.
2) Amber Gallop
She has overcome her disabilities (cerebral palsy) and anxiety problems to live an active life including horse-riding, swimming and going to the gym.
 
Unsung Heroine Nominees: Women Age 21 and over
1) Sue Sayer
Founder of Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust, fundraiser and community volunteer. Sue is an internationally renowned grey seal researcher who has been observing seals around the southwest since 2000. With thousands of hours spent in the field, she has an unrivaled knowledge of this charismatic species.
2) Kate Hockley    
Volunteer, senior researcher and Treasurer of Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust.
3) Tina Evans
Organiser for several years of Padstow Christmas Festival, overseeing increasing success.
4) Sally Truscott   
Nicknamed Sally Sunshine, escaped a violent and coercive relationship. Went on to run St Austell Sea Cadets.
5) Val Stanley
Worked on projects for human rights and gender equality overseas and at home.
6)Linda Barbery  
Despite her own health issues she set up the Restormel Car Service, a local Befriending Service and a knitters and natters group in her church.
7) Helen Barden
Supporter of St Austell Library set up SALSA, ideas woman, fundraiser, Chair of In search of Tywardreath Group.
8) Bev Burt  
Carer, volunteer and fundraiser at Merlin MS Centre. Set up a Charity to support the CF community in Cornwall, studying for a degree, is an Autism Advisor, amazing woman, faces challenges with humour reliance and determination.
9) Tracy Elson      
Carer for many years for her brother who has mental and physical health issues.
10) Barbara Haigh
Pillar of the Community, a kind person, helping friends, neighbours etc with daily visits, cooking for them, shopping, taking them to appointments, never complains or passes judgement. Treasurer and fundraiser for Imerys Choir.
11) Margaret McBurnie   
Carrying friendship to the extreme, helping her long-time friend who has Parkinsons.
12) Emma Pearce  
Following her own loss she supports the charity Cradle who supports families following early pregnancy loss. She has set up the comfort bag project.
13) Pat Pettit  
Treasurer, volunteer, organiser of St Austell Memory Café.
14) Hazel Rowe      
33 years of volunteering and fundraising for Mount Edgcumbe Hospice.
15) Amanda Sillince
Woman with a heart of gold, supporting others in the community overcoming family difficulties.
16) Jill Trew   
Penhalgons Friends’ volunteer and trainer.

Young Women Age 18 - 21 Winner:
​​Lottee Brown with Emily Stevenson, co-founder of Beach Guardian
Nominated by Sue Payne

Women Age 21 and over Winner: Val Stanley,  nominated by Jill Barnard and Kay Turner
She was not able to attend. But Kay Turner was on the phone with her to tell her the good news.

Unsung Heroine Nominees with Emily Stevenson

President Sandra Heyward, Jane Bridges, Kay Turner, Wendy Plaice, Jill Barnard and Jeannette Gay

SI St Austell and District ladies

SI St Austell and District ladies and guest

With Hilary Genes, Inner Wheel District 129 Vice Chairman, Margaret Parkinson, SI South West & Channel Islands President Elect, Hilary Frank, Chairman of Cornwall Council, Sandra Heyward, SI St Austell & District President and Barbara Trenerry, SI St Austell & District President Elect

With the 3 amazing ladies, Sue Sayer, Kate Hockley and Emily Stevenson last night who does brilliant and excellent work for our environment. Very famous too. It such a delight to see them on TV and read about them on the papers. Watch out for Sue Sayer on TV this week, in COUNTRYFILE. Ohhh Rob is on the 2nd photo. Hehehe...

1st photo - with Emily Stevenson, co-founder of Beach Guardian
2nd photo - with Hilary Genes, Inner Wheel District 129 Vice Chairman
3rd photo - Lottee Brown, Unsung Heroine 2020 winner on the Young Women category

With Soroptimist ladies

Happy International Women's Day!!! An equal world is an enabled world.

Dinner

Pamela Bee and Wendy Leach - in charge with the raffles.
Angela Taylor and Barbara Branch with the lucky raffle winner.

More photos...