Soroptimists announce their Women of the Year
Crosby Soroptimists recently presented their “Margaret Yarwood Woman of the Year” Award. This year the calibre of nominations was so high that the selection panel chose two winners.
Denise Miller is a support worker for mental health patients in Waterloo. Nominated by her clients, she supports them in their own homes but also organises a wide variety of outings and activities. Always willing to go that extra mile, she speaks up for her clients and makes each one feel special. Denise has opened up new horizons for them and by doing so, they say, has massively increased their confidence and enhanced their lives. As one client put it, “She helps us leave our prison of aloneness”.
Jane Morgan is head of midwifery education at Edge Hill University. However, it is for her voluntary work in Rwanda that she was nominated. Since 2001 Jane has campaigned for maternity services in the community of Shyira, in the north-west of the country. In partnership with many members of St Luke’s Church, Formby, she has raised funds to build a new maternity hospital and to pay for midwifery education. She also uses some of her own holidays to work in the hospital and help the staff. Many women and children in Rwanda owe their life and health to Jane’s drive, determination and energy.
The citations were read out; then President Pat Williams presented Denise and Jane each with an engraved trophy, a framed certificate and a bouquet.
She said, “Our award recognises outstanding service to the local community. It perpetuates the name of our former member, Margaret Yarwood, herself a tireless worker on behalf of others. We congratulate Denise and Jane - two exceptional women - as the recipients of this year’s award.”