Here at Liverpool Women’s we always felt that neonatal nurse Ann Parry and midwife Jackie Rotheram were outstanding. But lots of others think so too. Both have won top awards in the prestigious Merseyside Woman of the Year event, voted for by Liverpool Daily Post readers from throughout the area.
Ann Parry, whose invention of a “Butterfly” pillow, will help the development of thousands of premature babies all over the country and beyond, has been named Merseyside Woman of the Year for Caring.
Jackie Rotheram, our Lead for Perinatal Mental Health and Disability, who has overcome disability herself to support women before, during and after pregnancy, has been named Merseyside Woman of the Year for Achieving.
Jackie and Ann received their awards at a ceremony in Liverpool which proved to be utterly inspiring. As the nominees’ stories were told, no-one could fail to be moved. It was a “power house” of women achieving.
There were women of all ages from their twenties to eighty plus. But all had one thing in common, a determination to give help to those who need it and to fight for what they believe in. Others showed how setting up their own businesses had enabled them not only to succeed but to create much needed jobs at the same time. This really was an example of “Sisters doing it for themselves”.
This year marks the event’s 10th birthday. In that time, here at Liverpool Women's, we have delivered around 40,000 potential future winners of the award! As one of only two specialist women’s trusts in the country, we are proud to be one of the sponsors of the event which pays tribute to all the inspiring women of Merseyside. And we are especially proud of our own winners, Jackie and Ann.
Last week saw three other Liverpool Women's ladies shortlisted for leadership awards - Liz Cross, Non Executive Director for Outstanding Board Member; Esther Golby, Head of Safeguarding for Outstanding Emerging Leader and myself for Outstanding Leader of the Year.