Filipino nurse managers based in London were among 11 women and girls recognised at Barnet’s third annual InspirationAll Awards, held at Hendon Town Hall on 2 March in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Marian Gureng and Mary Vergara, founders of The Mum Club Barnet, received a highly commended in the sport and wellbeing category for the community they have built for mothers in the area. The pair said the recognition affirmed what they had long believed — that despite the demands of caring for others and navigating personal challenges, including a battle with breast cancer, women can still make a lasting impact.
Their posters, along with those of other winners and highly commended individuals, are being displayed at bus stops and electric vehicle charging points across Barnet throughout the month.
A posthumous award was also among the night’s recognitions. Hadiya Masieh, founder and CEO of the Groundswell Project, received a Special Recognition Award following her death last month after a sudden illness. Through her community interest company, Masieh had built a reputation as a trusted figure in Barnet’s voluntary and community sector, leading inter-faith, peacebuilding, and community cohesion work both within the borough and beyond.
Christiana Rose of Middlesex University’s Events and Development Office took the inspiring young woman prize. The environment and sustainability category went to Wendy Alcock of Incredible Edible Barnet and Have a Grow, with Mia-Ming Steel of the Rooted City Project receiving a highly commended. Naomi Lerer, CEO and founder of Noa Girls, won the sport and wellbeing category.
Amber Francis, head chef and senior food educator at Christ’s College Finchley, was named winner in business and construction, with Emma Louise Mattocks, founder of The One Network, highly commended in the same category. Janet Matthewson, CEO of the Young Barnet Foundation, won the community and culture award, alongside highly commended Monna Rizvi, service development liaison librarian at Middlesex University.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Arts and Sports Cllr Anne Clarke said: “This year we have celebrated 11 exceptionally talented and dedicated women and girls in Barnet. In their own fields, their accomplishments set them apart. They were nominated by people who live, work or study in our borough, showing the difference they have made to so many people’s lives. I congratulate and thank them for all they have achieved and given to our communities. They have inspired us all.”
The ceremony was hosted by Cllr Alison Moore, former Mayor of Barnet and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health. The judging panel included cabinet members Cllr Zahra Beg and Cllr Sara Conway, Bina Omare of the Colindale Community Trust, and previous InspirationAll winners Shiri Atsmon, Naomi Verber, and Snnehal Vijay.
