The finalists for this year’s the Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2023 have been revealed and the public has been invited to vote for their overall ‘Woman of the Year’.
All the women have been recognised for their work supporting and improving the lives of people in Merseyside and beyond, through their businesses, voluntary work, activism, charitable organisations, and creative endeavours.
The finalists are (full biographies in editor’s notes):
· Allison Furlong – Alfie’s Squad (Liverpool)
· Amy Smythe – The Worry Wizard (Chester)
· Ann Coffey – The Sunshine Group (Liverpool)
· Chelcie Jewitt – Surviving in Scrubs (Sefton)
· Claire Cathcart – Team 1C (St Helens)
· Elissa Corrigan – Elle Sera (Liverpool)
· Emma Jarvis – Parent Promise (Liverpool)
· Hayli Kincade – Wavertree Community Gospel Choir (Liverpool)
· Heather Evans & June Russell – The Halle O’Brien CIC (Liverpool)
· Jayne O’Gorman – Fundraiser (Wirral)
· Juliana Pinheiro Landim, Leigh-Angel Bevan & Tamasin Dunand – Katumba (Liverpool)
· Lucky Ali – Community Activist (Wirral)
· Michelle Smith – MPower People (Liverpool)
· Patricia Shea Halson – Community Activist (Wirral)
· Sarah Jackson – Hatters Digital Agency (Sefton)
· Dr Sue Palmer-Conn – The Divorce Doctor (Liverpool)
With judges’ votes already counted, the finalists will now be put to a public vote to determine who will be the overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2023 will be, with voting open online.
The MWOTY awards, a sparkling celebration of exceptional women from across the region, will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool City Centre on Friday 30th June, with the event’s sharp-witted and long-standing commère, Pauline Daniels hosting.
There will be stalls and an exhibition produced by women supported by Savera UK, whose founder and CEO, Afrah Qassim, took the title of ‘Woman of Courage’ in 2022.
Afternoon entertainment will be provided by renowned singer-songwriter, Claire Mooney, who will perform a topical song that is specially commissioned for the event and there will be a silent auction to raise money for the Merseyside Women’s Fund.
The ceremony will be followed by the annual after-show Hoolie, with vocal powerhouse Jo Ryan of Liverpool band SOUL JAM, performing the very best in classic soul, R&B, and Motown music to get the MWOTY audience dancing.
Founding Director, Ellie Kerr, said:
“Every year the nominations we receive absolutely bowl me over. There is so much heart, passion, and grit in the women who are working to make a difference in Merseyside and our judges certainly had a tough job!
“Our seventeen finalists are business leaders, activists, campaigners, volunteers, artists and changemakers – all using their time, skills, and energy to help others without asking anything for themselves.
“MWOTY has always been a platform for women who deserve to be in the spotlight so they can be seen, heard, and found. This year’s finalists are no exception and we’re looking forward to raising them up in June and celebrating their incredible achievements.”
Moira O’Shaughnessy, Managing Partner, FPC, said:
“Emotions run high when reading nominations for MWOTY as each and every entry is deserving of recognition. It is humbling, inspiring, and then also very exciting – all at the same time!
“MWOTY is all about women supporting women and the nominees are the evidence of that. We are proud to share the stage with these women this year as headline sponsor and look forward to celebrating their achievements at what is set to be the best MWOTY yet!
“Congratulations, not just to the finalists, but to anyone who was entered for consideration – we thank you all for everything you have done and continue to do.”
Renowned for putting a spotlight on those women who do not seek the limelight or push themselves to the front, but instead work to make a difference to the people, sectors, and communities they serve, the awards have grown in popularity and impact since their re-establishment in 2010.
The overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2023 will be selected from all finalists, following a public vote (contributing 50% of the overall score) and being marked by the organisation’s judging panel against its criteria, contributing the remaining 50% of the final score. The public vote is open until midnight on Friday 2nd June.
The coveted top prize will be presented by headline sponsor, Financial Planning Corporation, and category sponsors for 2023 include Community Foundation for Merseyside, Taylor Wessing, Hill Dickinson, Auteur Media, Neo Community and ADDvanced Solutions and the Institute of Directors (IoD).
You can cast your vote for Merseyside Woman of the Year here or to book tickets here.
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