Rhondda Cynon Taf’s outstanding female residents have been celebrated at an awards ceremony held to mark International Women’s Day.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Equality, Diversity and Social Justice team organised the important awards to celebrate achievement and also showcase inspiring stories for the benefit of others.
Nominated by their peers, the women were commended for lifetime achievement, being a good community neighbour, overcoming barriers, volunteering and going above and beyond for the benefit of those living in the County Borough.
Cllr Annette Davies, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Equality, said: “It was important for us as a Council to celebrate the outstanding work we know is happening across the County Borough.
“The women who were awarded at the International Women’s Day awards ceremony have worked tirelessly and given their time, energy and commitment in order to help others.
“They deserve a big thank you, but also deserve to have their stories and experiences showcased, so they can inspire others to make a difference also.”
Those commended in the awards, which took place at Tonyrefail Leisure Centre this month, were:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ruth Barclay, of Mountain Ash, is a single mother who left school with no qualifications. When her two sons started at school, Ruth joined a Next Steps course in Bryncynon. As her confidence grew, so did her passion for learning and she went on to secure training qualifications, her GCSEs and a Certificate of Education that enabled her to secure employment with the Continuing Education department, delivering arts and crafts courses in the community. She has since gained a BA Honours at the University of Wales and is employed as a tutor.
Finalist: Ynysboeth’s Keri Curtis is a driving force behind the Bryncynon Strategy in the area, volunteering for eight years before securing paid employment at the centre. Keri has also been a school governor for 24 years and volunteers at her local community centre to ensure it remains open for all to enjoy.
Community Neighbour Award
Lorraine Norton, of Tonyrefail, was nominated by those in her community for her exceptional commitment to being a good neighbour and bringing people together.
She is secretary of the local Women’s Institute group, a parent governor at Tonyrefail Comprehensive, a tireless fundraiser and founder of a Women’s Craft Circle that she hosts in her home once a month, bringing residents together and creating strong friendships and support networks within the community. Lorraine worked as a social worker at the Coal Industry Miners’ Welfare Organisation until her retirement and supported the widows and families of ex-miners as they endured financial, physical and emotional hardships. She touched so many people during her career that she remained in contact with them after her retirement, as they considered her a friend.
On top of her exceptional work to bring people together, create a community spirit and help others, Lorraine is also devoted to her family, including her grandchildren, and continues to give her time selflessly and generously.
Finalist: Maria McKeown of Matthewstown lacked confidence but became involved in education and her local school through her children. She undertook adult learning courses that raised her confidence and helped her to become a key person in the community.
Overcoming Barriers
Lorraine Thomas, of Penrhiwceiber, has overcome many challenges in her life to become an inspiration to others.
She suffered two brain haemorrhages and a stroke in her twenties and was then shot in the leg with an air rifle, causing a serious infection.
After eleven years of blood transfusions and being confined to a wheelchair, Lorraine was forced to have her leg amputated.
However, she was told she would only be considered for the prosthetic leg that would improve her quality of life if she lost two stone.
Lorraine rose to the challenge and now attends the gym, swims and is a keen member of the Bryncynon Walking Group. She puts many able-bodied people to shame with her dedication to a healthier way of life and commitment to maintain her life as it now is.
As those who nominated her said: “Lorraine has proved with courage and determination a person can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and she is an inspiration to us all.”
Finalists:
• Lisa Williams of Abercynon was struggling with two young children when she joined the parent and toddler group at Bryncynon Strategy, where staff helped her to secure confidence, skills and training.She went on to join the board of directors for the Strategy, helping to help others, and is now undertaking a nursing degree.
• Maria Phipps of Mountain Ash was struggling with health issues when she joined her local parent and toddler group and began growing in confidence. She attained qualifications in playwork and is now a volunteer at the Bryncynon Strategy, a playworker for the under-fives and provides one-to-one mentoring at the local school.
• Mum of three Ceri Booker, from Mountain Ash, began to undertake training in various courses to improve her chances of employment – and went on to be selected as Student of the Year out of 2,000 candidates at Coleg Morgannwg. She now works to help others and is a volunteer in the community.
• Meinir Evans of Church Village is well known and loved across the County Borough for her exceptional legal work to support charities, the vulnerable and elderly who need her assistance. She has won many awards for her pro bono work and serves on the board of numerous good causes. However, she was taken ill in 2009 and diagnosed with a serious condition that led to her having a heart transplant. The road to recovery has not been easy for her, but she has remained determined to return to her work and helping others.
• Patricia Beeke of Mountain Ash is the main carer for her daughter Jen, who was left severely injured following a road accident over 20 years ago. Jen needs constant care and Patricia provides this for her, while also finding time to volunteer in the community, in the café at Brycynon Strategy, in the local Credit Union and also on litter picks!
• Jen Beeke, Patricia’s daughter, was also a finalist in this award. The accident has left her with severe memory loss, she cannot read a book as she forgets what she has read on the page before and can only watch films she remembers from before the accident, as she already knows the plot. Despite this, Jen puts others first and has also been a volunteer at the café for the last four years.
Volunteering Award
Irene Hughes of Tonypandy is a sprightly 85 years of age and has worked tirelessly for most of her life to help others.
Those who nominated her said she was a kind, caring and committed woman who has volunteered in several organisations to help her community become a better place to live for everyone.
Irene helped to raise thousands of pounds in her role as Treasurer to the Llwynypia Hospital League of Friends and has also focused on educational improvement in her role as governor at both Tonypandy Community College and Tonypandy Primary School.
She has also worked for years in the Tenovus Charity shop in the town centre, again providing invaluable support to an important and valuable cause.
Irene was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to bereavement, but her well-deserved award was collected by her friend Glenda Abbott.
Finalists:
• Brenda Williams of Church Village has been a champion for older people for over 20 years, as a founding member of the Taff Ely 50+ Forum. She has represented older people and championed their cause at a local, national and international level. She travels across the UK as part of her work to ensure older people secure the services, interventions and respect they deserve. Despite suffering personal tragedies, she has continued her work and is described as “A woman of small stature with a big heart”.
• Joy Rosser, of Trealaw, has volunteered with the village’s Communities First group for four years and has helped bring essential funding and investment into the area, which is used to benefit residents from all walks of life. She is committed to developing and pushing forward opportunities and works tirelessly in her own time to campaign, train and represent the partnership.
• Kath Owen is in her eighties and continues to be an active volunteer in the Mountain Ash area, running the over-60s group with boundless cheer and energy.
• Sarah Jenkins, of Maesycoed, is a volunteer with the Rhondda Cynon Taf Citizens’ Advice Bureau and offers advice, training and support to so many. She has helped countless customers in her role and has also found the time to support the Treforest Wholesome Food project to provide fruit and vegetables to the community.
• Helen Cook, of Rhydyfelin, is Chairperson of the governing bodies of Hawthorn High and Rhydyfelin Nursery and works tirelessly on behalf of pupils, parents and teachers.
Above and Beyond Award
Rhydyfelin’s Barbara Protheroe is known by all as Babs and is described by the many people in her community who nominated her as an “ordinary woman doing extraordinary things, putting her own health issues aside to help others.”
Barbara has lived with sight loss and other life-changing illnesses since she was a young girl but was determined to use her experiences to help others.
She founded the Sensory Impairment Drop In Scheme (SIDS) to enable other blind and visually-impaired people to have an enjoyable, fun and meaningful social day among friends who experience the same issues.
Babs injects enthusiasm and excitement into the group and is passionate about ensuring everyone feels welcome and included.
She is fearless and helps all members to achieve what they want to achieve.
Despite being a busy mum-of-three, Babs considers SIDS members to be her extended family and she is always at the end of the telephone, should they need her.
She also volunteers for the Royal National Institute for the Blind’s Talk and Support Scheme and helps shape Council policy on provision for the blind and visually-impaired.
She was also a guide leader for 30 years and is currently helping to run a newly-created Brownie pack in Rhydyfelin – as well as volunteering with Valley Kids’ telephone counselling service for teens.
Babs’ achievements are so exceptional that she was awarded the Above and Beyond Award, with judges also agreeing she should be awarded the Overall Winner of the International Women’s Day Awards.
Finalists:
• Meinir Evans of Church Village is well known and loved across the County Borough for her exceptional legal work to support charities, the vulnerable and elderly who need her assistance. She has won many awards for her pro bono work and serves on the board of numerous good causes. However, she was taken ill in 2009 and diagnosed with a serious condition that led to her having a heart transplant. The road to recovery has not been easy for her, but she has remained determined to return to her work and helping others.
• Joy Rosser, of Trealaw, has volunteered with the village’s Communities First group for four years and has helped bring essential funding and investment into the area, which is used to benefit residents from all walks of life. She is committed to developing and pushing forward opportunities and works tirelessly in her own time to campaign, train and represent the partnership.
• Brenda Williams of Church Village has been a champion for older people for over 20 years, as a founding member of the Taff Ely 50+ Forum. She has represented older people and championed their cause at a local, national and international level. She travels across the UK as part of her work to ensure older people secure the services, interventions and respect they deserve. Despite suffering personal tragedies, she has continued her work and is described as “A woman of small stature with a big heart”.
