A Woman of Substance Award – nominations close 31st July 2009

Posted on July 15, 2009
Filed Under Award or Nominisation, England, Equality, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales | Comments Off

HarperCollins Book Publishers recently commissioned a survey in advance of the 30th anniversary of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s “A Woman of Substance” about female celebrities and role models. The results of the survey confirmed what we had suspected, which is that many of us think that female celebrities in the media spot light today lack any real substance, and as such provide very poor role models for young girls. The recently launched ‘A Woman of Substance Awards’ aims to seek out real women of substance living and working in the UK . We very much hope that you will help us put real women of real substance on the map! Please read on, or go direct to the website www.awosawards.co.uk to find out how to nominate someone, entrants will be put forward for some very special prizes!

Time to recognise all those real women of substance living and working in the UK

Have you recently met a woman of substance? Is she determined, honest and selfless? Does she have plenty of integrity and inspire others? Now the time has come for you to put pen to paper – or even go online – and tell us as the search is on to find Britain ’s real women of substance.

A Woman of Substance Awards have been launched to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s debut book, A Woman of Substance, first published in 1979. The book is one of the top 10 bestselling novels of all time with more than 31 million copies sold in over 40 languages and in 90 countries.

The awards are inspired by Barbara Taylor Bradford, the creator of the original – and now iconic – woman of substance, Emma Harte, in the worldwide bestselling novel. Conducted in association with Debenhams, P&O Cruises, and in support of the charity Target Ovarian Cancer, Barbara is encouraging females across Britain to nominate themselves and/or other women in their personal and professional lives at www.awosawards.co.uk

Barbara Taylor Bradford says: “A Woman of Substance is a book that has changed the lives for a lot of women. It empowered them to believe in themselves. It gave them the confidence to overcome a lack of education or great adversity and triumph as a human being. It showed them that with great ambition, discipline and stamina they could really succeed. I’m delighted that now, 30 years later, we are surrounded by real examples of women of substance and I feel it’s about time that we recognised and celebrated their achievements!

“It’s essential that we don’t rest on our laurels. Even today, we need to champion women who do extraordinary things be it in their home and with their family, in the area they live in, in the work that they do given the research show 23 per cent of women in the UK have no female role model in their lives today. It’s quite shocking.”

As part of the launch of the Awards, Barbara, together with her publisher, HarperCollins, carried out independent research to explore females’ views of what it takes to be a woman of substance in 2009. It reveals that WAGS, wannabees and women who kiss and tell are a massive turn off for ordinary women. Daughters of the rich and famous who have not personally earned their success, models and a number of politicians are also seen by females as women with no substance.

Our most important role models are our mothers, grandmothers, friends and sisters. And the qualities we admire are: someone who fights for what is right; someone who has overcome personal barriers and hurdles to achieve success; someone who has risen to fame because of raw talent; someone who has worked hard to help others succeed and someone who remains true to her roots.

A Woman of Substance Awards’ entry information can be found at http://www.awosawards.co.uk. The closing date for submissions is July 31.

Finalists and their guests will be invited to attend the awards event personally hosted by Barbara – at The Dorchester hotel in London in September.

The overall winner will receive a prize package of a luxury cruise for two people and two children courtesy of P&O Cruises, a full makeover (hair, make-up and manicure) and styling session courtesy of Debenhams Westfield, a £250 Debenhams gift card, a copy of Barbara’s latest book, Breaking The Rules (due out 3 September 2009), a newly released, luxury bound limited edition of A Woman of Substance, plus a DVD package of Barbara Taylor Bradford films.

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