Celebrating the incredible women who got all of us through 2020

From inspirational healthcare workers, to technology founders, legendary musicians and more, our 2020 event invited 400 women from across the UK to gather for our first virtual awards, accompanied by a delicious afternoon tea.

400 women tuned in for the virtual celebration this afternoon, joining together for an Afternoon Tea and honouring the achievements of so many. 200 years after Florence Nightingale’s birth, 2020 has proven to be the ‘Year of the Nurse’ in more ways than one, and Women of the Year paid tribute to key workers, charity workers and NHS staff who have had to work so hard to keep us going through the pandemic.

2020 Award winners

Five outstanding women were honoured with Women of the Year Awards for their selfless dedication to their fields of work.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12:   Mel Giedroyc, Lorraine Kelly ( Presenting The Women of the Year Community Spirit Award ) and Adwoa Dickson ( Amies Freedom Choir, project director . Winner - The Women of the Year Community Spirit Award ) attend the Women of the year awards on October 12, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Women Of The Year Awards )

Mel Giedroyc, Lorraine Kelly (Presenting The Women of the Year Community Spirit Award) and Adwoa Dickson © David M. Benett

I am overjoyed that the women of the Amies Freedom Choir have won The Woman of the Year Community Spirit Award 2020. It pays great tribute to the resilience and determination of our participants who have overcome so many obstacles and despite facing such adversity, find the strength to build beautiful friendships by coming together to sing.

Adwoa Dickson

I am both honoured and proud to receive The Barclays Woman in the Community Award. It has been the most amazing journey so far from an idea around my kitchen table in 2014 to the Women’s Centre we have today. This would not have been achieved without all of the incredible women who have been part of our journey, either volunteering or working for us or indeed the 1,300 women who have accessed our centre. The need for our services is even more important today than ever before and it is vital that more women centres like ours exist in every town.

Julie Budge

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: **EMBARGOED UNTIL 10TH NOVEMBER 17:00**  Lisa Francis ( Barclays - CEO, UK Private Bank & Crown Dependencies ), Julie Budge ( Winner - The Barclays Woman in the Community Award ) and Georgina Campbell ( Presenting The Barclays Woman in the Community Award ) attend the Women of the year awards on October 12, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Women Of The Year Awards )

Lisa Francis (Barclays - CEO, UK Private Bank & Crown Dependencies), Julie Budge (Winner - The Barclays Woman in the Community Award) and Georgina Campbell (Presenting The Barclays Woman in the Community © Dave Benett

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: **EMBARGOED UNTIL 10TH NOVEMBER 17:00** Mel Giedroyc, Anne Sheehan, Business Director, Vodafone Business UK, Poppy Gustafsson, winner of Vodafone’s Woman of the Year Innovation Award and Maggie Aderin-Pocock ( Presenting Vodafone’s Woman of the Year Innovation Award ) attend the Women of the year awards on October 12, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Women Of The Year Awards )

Mel Giedroyc, Anne Sheehan, Business Director, Vodafone Business UK, Poppy Gustafsson, winner of Vodafone’s Woman of the Year Innovation Award and Maggie Aderin-Pocock (Presenting Vodafone’s Woman of the Year Innovation Award). © Dave Benett

I am honoured to receive Vodafone’s Woman of the Year Technology and Innovation Award. The phenomenal success that Darktrace is experiencing is testament to the passion, fearlessness and hard work of our brilliant team of over 1,300 employees, which is over 40% female strong, as well as the world-class mathematicians behind our autonomous response technology. It is an honour every day to lead an organisation committed to solving the cyber challenge with cutting edge innovation.

Poppy Gustafsson

I am proud and honoured to receive a The Boots Wellness Warrior, Woman Of The Year Award. I hope this award can show all those women who struggle with their mental health as I did for many years, that anything is achievable.

Sylvia Mac

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: Helen Normoyle ( Boots - UK & ROI - Marketing Director ), Sylvia Mac Winner ( The Boots Wellness Warrior Award ) ,and Tamzin Outhwaite Presenting The Boots Wellness Warrior Award at the Women of the year awards on October 12, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Women Of The Year Awards )

Helen Normoyle (Boots - UK & ROI - Marketing Director), Sylvia Mac Winner, and Tamzin Outhwaite presenting The Boots Wellness Warrior Award © Dave Benett

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