Inspirational Woman of the Year Award

Kate Wright – Chair of the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce

The 2025 Inspirational Woman of the Year Award was presented to Kate Wright for being the independent Chair of the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce, the Report being published in November 2023 with 77 recommendations. Also, as a contributor to ConnectMe.je, a social prescribing programme led by the Government of Jersey, and for her work as CEO of the domestic abuse charity FREEDA, formerly the Jersey Women’s Refuge.

Joy Thomson – Jersey Federation of the Women’s Institutes

Joy Thomson, received the 25^th Inspirational Woman of the Year Award for her decades of charity work in the Island. She is Federation Chair of Jersey’s Women’s Institute branches, Chair of the Jersey Association for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus, Vice-President of Glanville Voluntary Committee and other charitable and community roles.

To celebrate this important milestone for the Award, it was presented at an afternoon tea in the marquee at Government House. More than 100 people were in attendance, and guests included Patron of Soroptimist International Jersey, Dr Karen Kyd, the Lieutenant-Governor, Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd and President of SIGBI, Ruth Healey. Kate Wright was the invited speaker.

Trudi Roscouet – Menopause

The 2023 Award was presented to health and fitness coach Trudi Roscouet, “Mrs Menopause”, for her tireless work promoting issues of the menopause and how it affects women in the workplace. The experience of the menopause personally inspired Trudi to research how to help other women, as an ambassador for the 51 Employers Pledge, which gives organisations the chance to sign a 14-point promise to make their workplace menopause friendly; by founding Vitality40plus, an online wellbeing coaching platform and establishing The Menopause Forum.

Louise Carson – Fundraising for Philip’s Footprints & setting up Potty Eco Pots

Louise Carson was awarded the 2021 Inspirational Woman of the Year Award in October of that year, due to the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic. Louise was nominated as an active member of Journey to Zero Waste Jersey Facebook Group, giving advice and support to reducing waste and recycling in the Island. She also ran Philips Footprints recycling scheme across Jersey, an important fund-raising initiative for the charity. Louise also had recently set up the Potty Eco Pots Scheme, to encourage people to allow their plant pots to be re-used rather than thrown away. Also, she arranged for packs of eco-friendly period products to be given to each school for PSHE lessons so girls can make informed choices in the period products they purchase.

There was no award presented in 2022

Cheryle Raphael – After Breast Cancer

Cheryle Raphael was a worthy winner of the 2020 Inspirational Woman of the Year Award, although facing her own fight with breast cancer, Cheryle chaired the After Breast Cancer charity for over five years, during which time the profile of ABC went from strength to strength. Her nominee described her as a “hands on” charity supporter and a selfless and supportive friend to many.  Also, through her work at Essential Dance she has encouraged many young dancers – a truly inspirational woman and genuine role model to so many.