Rotherham's women leaders up for prestige award

INSPIRATIONAL women who work hard to improve the quality of life in Rotherham have been short-listed for an international award.

Seventeen names have been placed on the short-list for the Athena Award which recognises leadership within business and the community.

Rotherham is the only place in the UK to be affiliated to the Athena International Programme which seeks to secure a balance between the sexes in leadership worldwide.

The winner will be announced at an event at the Holiday Inn Rotherham on February 25.

Rotherham’s Athena Award brings together representatives from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to address local issues and improve life for local residents.

Sponsorship for the awards has been provided by the Local Strategic Partnership and a number of partner organisations, including the borough council, NHS Rotherham and the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.

Commercial sponsors include housing contractor Morrison and publishing company Garnett Dickinson.

The list of nominees for the Rotherham Award 2011 is:

Zaidah Ahmed, Programme Director, Community Cohesion, School Effectiveness Service.

Rita Alderton, Anston parish councillor.
Karen Ball, outreach support worker, In2Change South Yorkshire Ltd
Sue Barratt, Rotherham GROW.
Elizabeth Bent, Crossroads Care, Rotherham.
Liz Booth, Board Member 2010 Rotherham Ltd/Rotherham Older People’s Forum
Anna Chester, community activist.
Sukanya Davies, Palang Thai group.
Julie D'Silva, consultant endoscopist, Rotherham Hospital.
Jackie Freeborn, chief executive, Business in Education South Yorkshire.
Det=Insp=Karen Hockley, South Yorkshire Police.
Hilary Masserella, SAFE@LAST.
Moira MacCormac, Morthyng Group Ltd.
Diana Swanson, Carers4Carers.
Lisa Taylor, Ministry of Food.
Janet Wheatley, Voluntary Action Rotherham.
Det Inspr Karen Wilsher, South Yorkshire Police.