Nominees announced for the 2015 Wise Women Awards

Christian women from across the denominational spectrum are featured in the list of nominees for the 2015 Wise Women Awards, the UK’s annual leading event celebrating the achievements of African and African Caribbean Christian women in the church and wider society.

The event is jointly organised by Wisdom for Women International and Keep The Faith magazine. Nominees for the 11th Wise Women Awards include: Madeleine Kerzner, Associate Pastor of Kingdom Worship Movement; choir director Karen Gibson; TV presenter Esther Olufunmi, and Elizabeth Sarpong, first lady of growing church denomination, Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church.

Other nominees include: Alison Johnson, who leads the successful WOW women’s ministry at Rhema Church, Croydon; businesswoman Petal L Miller; Rev Dr Marcia Neveu, head of Asantoa Foundation Ministries, a successful mission organisation, and Juanita Johnson, a former teenage mother, who now runs a successful business.

Pastor Marjorie Esomowei, president of Wisdom for Women International (WWI), co-pastor of Triumphant Church International and founder of the Wise Women Awards, stated: “Every year, the Wise Women Awards brings to the fore unknown women doing great things, and 2015 is no different.  There are women from across the country represented in the list of nominees, whose contributions are having an impact on the lives of others. I am glad the WWA plays a part in bringing such women to the attention of the wider Christian community.”

Shirley McGreal, publisher of Keep The Faith magazine, stated: “Britain’s Christian women are actively engaged in all spheres of the Church and society, whether it’s in positions of leadership, supporting the vulnerable or running their own businesses. It’s great that the WWA not only brings such women to the fore, but celebrates their achievements and shares them with the wider world.”

The nominees in the nine Wise Women Award categories were chosen, from nominations sent in by the public, by the five following judges:

• Pastor Celia Apeagyei-Collins, founder and president of The Rehoboth Foundation

• Bunmi Folarin, lead business analyst at BP Oil

• Sanchia Alasia, councillor for Barking and Dagenham, Albion Ward

• Caroline Marsh, successful businesswoman and mystery guest on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire series

• Joan Myers OBE, paediatric nurse consultant, voted one of the 50 most inspirational leaders in the NHS by the Health Service Journal

The winners of each category will be announced at the Wise Women Awards ceremony taking place on March 14 at the London Hilton Metropole Hotel, 225 Edgware Road, London W2 1JU.

Nominees and guests at the Wise Women Awards will enjoy a three-course meal; entertainment from saxophonist Millicent Stephenson, Italian gospel singer Rita Ciccarelli and Isabella Ogo-Uzodike, and comedian Anthony ‘Pass Da Mic’ King. Juliet Fletcher and Priscilla Nwikpo of BEN TV are the hosts.

Visit www.wisewomenawards.org for more details.

THE 2015 WISE WOMEN AWARDS NOMINEES ARE:

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP AWARD

Carol Akiwumi, Money4Youth, London

Chipema Chitambala, BUPA, Essex

Petal L Miller, PLM Extra Tuition, London

WOMAN IN MISSIONS

Victoria Adekoya, Fullness of God Evangelical Ministries, Northampton

Sharon Barbour, Wesleyan Christian Centre, London

Rev Dr Marcia Neveu, Asantoa Foundation Ministries, West Midlands

CHRISTIAN WOMAN SERVING IN MEDIA

Holly Marie-Cato, H Cato, London

Natalie Clue, Beauty Pulse, London

Esther Olufunmi, Questions in the Heart, London

WOMAN IN THE COMMUNITY AWARD

Aysha Julie, The Gifted, Waltham Cross, Herts

Yvette McDonald, Just-Be, Bromley, Kent

Donia Narh, ACES Project, London

NAOMI AWARD

Merna Ellis, Panzy’s Catering/Ruby’s Restaurant, Luton, Beds

Rev Esther Manu, Immanuel Gospel Church, London

Pastor Florence Sutherland, Anchor Foster Care, Kent

WOMAN IN MUSIC AWARD

Karen Gibson, choir director, London

Diana Hamilton, Diana Hamilton Ministries, Kent

Madeleine Kerzner, Kingdom Worship Movement, London

WOMAN IN MINISTRY

Alison Johnson, WOW Ministry, Rhema Church London, Croydon, Surrey

Mary Phillip, Bristol Central SDA Church, Bristol

Elizabeth Sarpong, Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church, London

LIFE TURNAROUND AWARD

Simone Hudson, SDA Church, London

Juanita Johnson, Juanita Johnson Marketing, Birmingham

Ehinor Otaigbe, Wonderfully Made Woman, Manchester

WOMAN IN BUSINESS

Audrey James, Restore Counselling Services, Gloucester

Petal L Miller, PLM Extra Tuition, London