Inspirational Women of Portsmouth awards back for its third year and it's open for nominations

The Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards is hosted by Pamodzi Creatives.

Nominations opened on Saturday, with people able to put forward the person they feel has had a positive impact on their community.

There are 10 categories – The Arts, Outstanding Elder, Inspirational Young Person, Inspirational Role Model, Health, Business, Sport, Community Activism, Volunteering and Other.

Founder Roni Edwards said: ‘Our award recipients are not winners in the traditional sense. We are not celebrating the most elite performers, but those who make a positive impact to their respective community.

‘Behind every woman or girl there is a tribe of people supporting her in different ways, so the award is the product of that whole tribe.’

The selection panel will choose a shortlist in early February and recipients will be notified in the week commencing February 15.

The panel is made up of six trailblazers, who are women who have consistently stood out exceptionally in their fields, including Lou Lou Whitmore, who runs Love Southsea, Alison Lee from Biscoes Solicitors and Helen Atkinson, who is director of public health for Portsmouth City Council.

Although the event usually welcomes in around 400 people, the ceremony was not able to go ahead physically this year, due to covid restrictions, but founder Roni didn’t want to let that stop it from going ahead.

She said: ‘Now more than ever, it’s important for us to be able to celebrate inspirational people.

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‘We’re so grateful for the crowdfunding support that enabled this to still happen, as well as the fantastic support from local organisations and the sponsorship from Biscoes Solicitors.’

It is being held online on Sunday, March 7 – coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8.

It will be hosted by singer-songwriter Amba Tremaine and artist Fabulous Josh at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth but will be filmed and held online.

The awards are in partnership with Portsmouth HIVE and Pamodzi is also supporting the Teach Portsmouth Awards Live – a new digital awards ceremony for Portsmouth’s teachers, support teams and leaders.

Nominations close on February 5. To nominate go to pamodzicreatives.com.

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