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Welcome to the 54th Women of the Year lunch. I
am well into my second year as chair and deriving lots
of fun and satisfaction from my involvement with an inspirational organisation and the members of the organising
committees, with whom it is a delight to be associated.
The challenge, as always, is to continue to discover and honour the amazing women who give selflessly
of their time and talents to causes or initiatives.
The council members work tirelessly to achieve a stellar
guest list and this year once again the room is crammed with wonderful individuals, some old friends but lots
of new faces.
All of you have done something that is unique:
that is why you are here and I salute those qualities
which make me once again proud to welcome you to the
lunch. At the risk of repeating myself, the qualities
which have always earned my respect and admiration are
courage, passion and commitment which everyone of you
has demonstrated in full measure. My congratulations
and those of my colleagues to all of you on making a
difference to the lives of others. I am often surprised
by the lack of awareness and humility with which you
view your extraordinary achievements and that is what
today is all about – thanking you for making a
contribution to society, your communities and to re-building
Britain following a grim period of recession.
Over the last 12 months, we have seen a lot more
economic doom and gloom. Yet it has been a year for
women making a difference both globally and domestically. There has been growing evidence that individuals
can achieve and be more influential on a personal level
and in small communities in relation to issues than
ever governments can be. Upward pressure on governments and organisations through individuals
or the collective consciousness has brought about change
in relation to the environment, legislation and health
through local initiatives.
In the UK, Gillian Tett, the FT journalist, was
one of a very small number who predicted the financial
crisis long before it took hold, and created an awareness
within the public of what was happening. While her warnings
didn’t avert ultimate disaster, I, for one, was
immensely grateful for her insights as I am sure many
of you will be. Internationally, the first woman prime
minister of Iceland, Johanna Sigurdardottir, was endeavouring
as we went to press to rescue her country from self-inflicted
financial disaster. Michele Obama has captured all our
hearts and minds and will be profoundly influential
in the US with regard to programmes which she espouses,
such as support for the homeless, military families
and healthcare reform.
There are a number of women who have earned our
admiration and affection who could not be present today.
Who could forget Aung Sang Suu Kyi as the international
symbol of peaceful resistance in the face of oppression
or Joanna Lumley’s tireless campaign on behalf
of the Gurkhas, Kate Winslet’s triumph at the Oscars,
the partnership of French and Saunders which has delighted
us all over the years and Carol Ann Duffy’s emergence
as the Poet Laureate.
This lunch would not take place without the backing
of our fabulous sponsors whose funds and other benefits
in kind have blessed the event with four special awards
honouring individuals whose achievements are, as ever,
an inspiration to us all. Barclays, Good Housekeeping
and Sacla have supported us not only with hard cash
but also advice and invaluable good counsel.
Throughout the world, women are picking up the
pieces following the economic meltdown, showing once
again the resilience and courage that is the backbone
on which most nations and countries rely. We at Women
of the Year salute you all. It has been a gruelling,
but somehow very satisfying, year and once again women
have emerged bloodied but unbowed.
Gill Carrick
Chairman
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