Public to choose the next Wonderful Welsh Woman winner

Voting is now open to choose the winner of the People’s Choice award at Womenspire 2019.

Five inspirational Wonderful Welsh Women have been shortlisted and now event organisers, Chwarae Teg are encouraging the public to vote.

The winner will receive the People’s Choice Award at Womenspire 2019, which will be hosted by Shan Cothi on Thursday 4th July at St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff.

Chwarae Teg’s Wonderful Welsh Women campaign aims to raise the profile of female role models in Wales.  Since its launch is 2017 it has featured women from history and the present day; scientists, athletes, politicians and business people. All the women nominated have an inspiring story and have achieved something remarkable. Last year the award was won by firefighter Beci Newton from Caerphilly.

The five women shortlisted this year are:

Lesley Kirkpatrick – As CEO of Techniquest, Lesley works to inspire the next generation of young scientists and embed a passion for science in Welsh culture across all generations. She leads on the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among young women and girls to bridge the gender gap and prevent a future shortfall of skilled females.

Chisomo Phiri – Chisomo brings a passion for activism and campaigning to her role as NUC Wales Women’s Officer, working with students and colleagues to inspire the next generation of student leaders. She works with energy and determination to highlight, and seek to bring an end to, issues such as period poverty and violence against women and girls.

Iris De Freitas (1896 – 1989) – A real trailblazer, Iris was born in 1896 in British Guiana, coming to study botany, Latin and law at Aberystwyth University in 1918.  There she became Vice-President of the Student’s Representative Council and President of the Women’s Sectional Council. She later returned home as the first woman to practice law in the Caribbean.

Kathryn Llewellyn – As CEO of United Purpose, Wales’ largest international development agency, Kathryn leads action to end poverty and inequality across the globe. She is passionate about using community-led development and grassroots innovations to help people manage their own lives – so they can move Beyond Aid.

Hilary Brown – Through personal experience, and by working her way up from volunteer to manager within the CABx, Hilary became acutely aware of the barriers and discrimination faced by many. Driven by a passion to fight injustice she went on to found and become CEO of Virgo Consultancy Services Ltd, which provides private and publicly funded legal services, and where she personally specialises in immigration and asylum.

To vote in the People’s Choice award go to: www.chwaraeteg.com/womenspire

Louise David from Chwarae Teg said:

“All too often women and girls across the world are only told about the achievements of male role models, but with so many amazing women here in Wales we wanted to work to change that with our Wonderful Welsh Women campaign.  The women who have been showcased come from very different backgrounds but are all powerful role models in their own right.  The achievements of our finalists will provide inspiration for the next generation of young women in Wales and show them that they can aspire to success in the fields that they go into.

“The People’s Choice category gives everyone a chance to vote for the Wonderful Welsh Woman that most inspires them and who they would like to see winning a Womenspire Awards this year. We hope it will encourage women to really think about who inspires them most in life, and ultimately what they are capable of achieving themselves.”

Womenspire 2019 will see females from all walks of life honoured in a number of categories including community activist, sport and entrepreneur. Employers will also be recognised for their commitment to gender equality and diversity within the workplace.

Tickets can also be purchased for Womenspire 2019 at www.chwaraeteg.com/womenspire