West Wales Women Up For Awards In Leading Welsh Ceremony

Nine women from across West Wales been chosen as finalists for this year’s Chwarae Teg Womenspire Awards and are hoping to become category winners at the event on the 29^th of September.

Now in their seventh year, the awards recognise women’s accomplishments in every aspect of life, from personal achievements to outstanding contributions in their field and community. 

Hosted by ITV Cymru Wales news anchor Andrea Byrne and Welsh actor and presenter Elin Pavli-Hinde, this year’s awards will, for the first time ever, become a hybrid event. The ceremony is headline sponsored by Vauxhall Finance and will take place at the Pierhead Building, Cardiff, whilst being simultaneously broadcast to thousands via ITV Cymru Wales’ Facebook Live and Twitter. 

Those West Wales women up for an award are as follows:

Community Connector Award – sponsored by Mencap

Sophie Hinksman, Saundersfoot

Sophie is a tireless campaigner who has been active in the field of self-advocacy and the rights of people with learning disabilities for many years – seeking to address the inequalities they face. 

Gender Equality Champion – sponsored by Academi Wales

Emily Griffiths, Llansteffan

After being diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 21, a condition that means Emily cannot work or go about her daily life, Emily now campaigns for more awareness and equality so that others will not have to suffer like her.  

Leader Award – sponsored by Business in Focus

Siân Morgan, Carmarthen

Siân is responsible for transforming lives, in communities across Wales, and in the organisation, she leads, as Chief Executive of Hafan Cymru – a charitable housing association that provides accommodation, support to women, men, their children and young people. 

Louise Phillips, Swansea

Louise is proud to be a Welsh woman who has been able to rise through the ranks at Virgin Atlantic by providing excellent customer service, and leadership to staff, to be become Vice President – Customer Centres. 

Learner Award – sponsored by The Open University in Wales

Julie Edwards, Haverfordwest

Julie says that completing Chwarae Teg’s Agile Nation2 career development programme at 63, through her inclusive employer – housing association – Ateb, has had a phenomenally positive effect on her life. 

Celsey Janes, Swansea

Celsey left school with few qualifications but a few years later, and after completing the Chwarae Teg Agile Nation 2 career development programme, she is leading a team of 24 cleaners at Thrive Group Wales – a social enterprise which supports Thrive Women’s Aid (a domestic violence charity).

Rising Star Award – sponsored by Target Group

Emily Nicole Roberts, Swansea

As a woman with cerebral palsy, Emily has taken it upon herself to inspire, educate and support others living with disabilities, all with a huge amount of positive energy.  

Casey Hopkins, Swansea

Casey is a passionate and driven woman, working as a lecturer in Computer Science and working hard to encourage women of all ages into these roles too.  

Woman in Sport Award – sponsored by Sport Wales

Siwan Lillicrap, Swansea

After not having a team to play for or realising that a career in rugby was a possibility for her, Siwan has smashed through those barriers to become an incredibly successful professional rugby player.  

Cerys Furlong, Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg, said:

“Womenspire is an awards ceremony like no other. Finalists are recognised for achievements from all aspects of life and from across Wales, yet they all have something very much in common – they have all gone above and beyond to make a real positive difference to their own lives and the lives of others. We want to shine a light on their remarkable accomplishments, as they can so often go unnoticed. At Chwarae Teg we want to applaud what they have done and hold them up as role models.”