Call to nominate Telford's most inspirational women

Telford's Inspirational Woman of the Year Award was set up to honour the region's exceptional women at a ceremony in Wellington on March 8, to coincide with International Women's Day.

Nominations are open to any woman who lives or works in Telford and who meets the criteria set out by Wellington Town Council, and women can be nominated by anyone.

The town council's website lists the possible criteria for award-winners:

• A female and living or working in Telford

• Someone who has made a selfless contribution to an individual or group

• She has made a significant difference to an individual or group

• She has succeeded against the odds

• She is an inspiration to others

• A woman whose self-sacrifice, unwavering dedication and generosity of spirit lead others to achieve greatness in their own right

• A positive role model

The website further explains: "There are women who inspire us through their achievements, their commitment and their wonderful personalities. This year we are pleased to pay tribute to these inspirational women in Telford.

"If you know an inspirational woman who has demonstrated a selfless contribution, made a significant difference to an individual or group, or succeeded against the odds, you can nominate them to receive the Telford’s Inspirational Woman Award 2018. She could be a colleague, a friend, a neighbour, a family member or a woman you just know about and admire.

"A panel will judge nominations and the winner will be contacted by March 1. The award will be presented to the winner at the International Women’s Day event on March 8 at the Wellington Civic Offices, Larkin Way, Tan Bank, Wellington."

The awards, and the International Women's Day event which will feature talks and workshops, were the brainchild of a working group made up of Wellington town councillors including acting mayor Cindy Mason-Morris.

She said yesterday: "I think I'm like most people in that in everyday life I see people who just go above and beyond in some aspect of their lives.

"People who help in charity shops, good causes or community groups or whatever.

"Even people who check up on their neighbours if they're lonely now and then.

"I just thought how fantastic it would be to recognise and celebrate those people, and to coincide with International Women's Day women specifically.

"In other parts of the country I would see more celebrations of International Women's Day, whereas I wasn't aware of that many events around Telford.

"So we're asking people to nominate any inspirational women they can think of, we want as many entries as possible so our job as a judging panel is as hard as possible!"

Nomination forms for inspirational women are available at wellington-shropshire.gov.uk/event/telfords-international-womens-day-and-woman-of-the-year-award-2018/

The theme for International Women's Day 208 is 'Press For Change'.