Nominations now open for Merseyside Women of the Year awards 2020

Promising to be a special celebration of exceptional women and unsung heroines from the region, the awards were officially opened at a launch event at Hope Street Hotel on Wednesday, November 6.

At the event, MWOTY organisers Ellen Kerr and Jean Gadsby spoke of their pride in being able to provide a platform for women making a difference in Merseyside and their plans for the future.

Ellen and Jean took over the event in 2010, quickly transforming it into one of the most-anticipated events in the city's social calendar.

Jean said: "When we took over the awards we had no idea how it would grow.

“Our only aim was to provide the region with an event that had heart.

"An event that allowed us to find the amazing women working hard in our community to make a difference - the ones that ask nothing for themselves - and shine a spotlight on them.”

Over the past decade the event has doubled in size and there was even a waiting list ahead of last year's sold-out event at the Crowne Plaza.

Ellen added: “We aimed to do things differently.

"Small things like bringing finalists together ahead of the big event and network, providing them with free tickets instead of expecting them to buy them and allowing our winners - not just our sponsors - to speak on the night, so they could use the platform to promote their work to an audience that could help them move forward and expand their connectivity.

“Over the years we’ve been criticised by competitors about the need for tissues at MWOTY as it is too ‘soft’ and not a ‘serious’ awards event, but you only need to look at what our winners have achieved to see that just isn’t the case.

"They’re changing our city and people’s lives every day and make a significant economic impact in the City region.

“It takes a lot of guts to be gentle and vulnerable nowadays.

"We believe it’s a sign of strength and emotions are the driving force behind so many of our MWOTY stories.

"They are valuable tools of life and these traits are what makes women so unique, so why should we hide them – we celebrate them!”

The annual independent awards ceremony features categories including: Arts & Culture; Business Leader; Community Change; Entrepreneur; Inspirational; Social Impact; Women’s Group; Women Making a Difference; Women of Courage and Young Female Apprentice.

The overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2020 will be selected from all finalists, following a public vote and being marked by the organisation’s judging panel against its criteria.

The coveted top prize will be presented by Michael W Halsall Solicitors, who return as headline sponsor for the seventh year.

Other category sponsors for 2020 include Leonard Curtis, Community Foundation for Merseyside, Courage & Sparkle, Knowsley Chamber, Curtins, The Learning Foundry, Everton FC and FPC Financial Services.

Last year there were 11 Wirral women shortlisted for the main award category including Heswall born Mia Austin.

Mia was just 21 when she suffered a stroke and was left with locked-in Syndrome in 2009.

Although she was left unable to speak, move and only able to communicate through eye movement, determined Mia pushed the boundaries to live her life to the full.

Heartbreakingly, Mia passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - just two days before she was named Merseyside's Woman of the Year.

Mia was recognised for her endless charity work, campaigning and as being a role model for so many.

Nominations will be open until 5pm on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

The shortlist will be announced and the public vote will then open on May 11, 2020 with the awards ceremony taking place on Friday, June 26, 2020 at the Crowne Plaza.

To nominate an inspirational woman visit https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/nominate/