WOMEN OF THE YEAR 2017
Courage and leadership were honoured at the 63rd Women of the Year Lunch and Awards. Proud sponsor GH takes you behind the scenes of a truly inspirational event
We salute you!
It was the year that tragedy and terrorism at home and abroad highlighted the work of our police, fire, ambulance and medical services and the women who work for them. And so the 2017 Women Of The Year Lunch and Awards was wholly dedicated to their courage and leadership.
GH columnist Sandi Toksvig, who hosted the event, recalled the terrible events of the last 12 months – terrorist attacks in Manchester and London and the horror of the Grenfell Tower fire.
‘Whenever such tragedies occur,’ she said, ‘there is a group of people who, without fail, rush to the centre of danger, putting their own safety and lives at risk. This year we are dedicating our awards to all the women who epitomise selfless professionalism and heroism to make our lives safer.’
There were cheers and a standing ovation for the first female commissioner of London Fire Brigade, Dany Cotton, for her leadership at the Grenfell Tower disaster. She went into the tower to see the nightmare facing her colleagues.
‘It is not really about me,’ she told the room. ‘It is about the fabulous team of men and women who I am very proud to lead.’
In a bid to encourage more girls to join the fire service, she has launched a campaign to replace the word ‘fireman’ with ‘firefighter’. ‘I want young girls to understand that they can be a firefighter and make a difference,’ she said.
Eight women, including medics and police officers, were honoured for their response on the night of the bombing at Manchester Arena. They were presented with their awards by the event’s guest of honour, The Duchess of Cornwall. ‘In these turbulent times, I believe it is more important than ever for women of all ages and from all walks of life to unite,’ she said.
Tragedies in other parts of the world were remembered, too, with an international award going to the women of the White Helmets, volunteers working in Syria to rescue victims of the violence and bombings. Their award was presented by Michelle Hather, executive editor of
GH, which has been sponsoring the event for the past 15 years.
More than 400 women attended the lunch, which was first held in 1955 to honour the achievements of women in what was then very much a man’s world. This year, Cressida Dick, head of the Metropolitan Police; Great British Bake Off presenter Prue Leith; Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas; and Game of Thrones actor Natalie Dormer mixed with sportswomen, businesswomen and charity workers.
‘It’s been very emotional and humbling,’ said actress Meera Syal afterwards. ‘There has been so much hardship, and yet in the worst of times you get the best of people, and it’s good to remind ourselves that there were women at the forefront of so many acts of bravery and selflessness.’