Ladies night at Women of the Year Awards

A founder member of BOLT Running Club, described as “an inspiration” has been crowned the Woman of the Year for 2015.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Mar 2015, 11:30 BST
Woman of the Year 2015 Debra McGlinchey pictured with her mum, ??????, Mayor, Councillor Brenda Stevenson and Darinagh Boyle, Local Women, sponsors after her success on Friday night at the City Hotel.Woman of the Year 2015 Debra McGlinchey pictured with her mum, ??????, Mayor, Councillor Brenda Stevenson and Darinagh Boyle, Local Women, sponsors after her success on Friday night at the City Hotel.
Woman of the Year 2015 Debra McGlinchey pictured with her mum, ??????, Mayor, Councillor Brenda Stevenson and Darinagh Boyle, Local Women, sponsors after her success on Friday night at the City Hotel.

Deborah McGlinchey was awarded the prestigious accolade after being nominated for her inspirational role in promoting physical exercise and improved lifestyle choices for people across the city, and was a popular winner of the annual awards, which take place during the annual International Women’s Day festivities in the city.

Making the announcement the Mayor, Brenda Stevenson, described Ms McGlinchey as “a truly inspirational woman” who had encouraged people through the local BOLT running club to do the impossible and take on new challenges.

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“As a founder member of BOLT based at the Old Library Trust she has given hundreds of people across Derry and the wider north west region the confidence to take up running. She has encouraged many individuals to exercise for the first time and works tirelessly towards promoting a healthy lifestyle, She has successfully changed the mindset of many people, showing them that by running they can overcome health and stress issues and greatly improve their life quality.”

WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2015!. . . . .The Mayor of Derry, Councillor Brenda Stevenson presents the Woman of the Year 2015 award to Debra McGlinchey at the City Hotel on Friday night. Included from left are Catherine Cooke, compere, Olga Bradshaw, Londonderry Sentinel, judge, Joanna Boyd Women's Officer, Derry City Council, Darinagh Boyle, Local Women Magazine, sponsors, Erin Hutcheon, Derry Journal, judge and Elaine McGee.WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2015!. . . . .The Mayor of Derry, Councillor Brenda Stevenson presents the Woman of the Year 2015 award to Debra McGlinchey at the City Hotel on Friday night. Included from left are Catherine Cooke, compere, Olga Bradshaw, Londonderry Sentinel, judge, Joanna Boyd Women's Officer, Derry City Council, Darinagh Boyle, Local Women Magazine, sponsors, Erin Hutcheon, Derry Journal, judge and Elaine McGee.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2015!. . . . .The Mayor of Derry, Councillor Brenda Stevenson presents the Woman of the Year 2015 award to Debra McGlinchey at the City Hotel on Friday night. Included from left are Catherine Cooke, compere, Olga Bradshaw, Londonderry Sentinel, judge, Joanna Boyd Women's Officer, Derry City Council, Darinagh Boyle, Local Women Magazine, sponsors, Erin Hutcheon, Derry Journal, judge and Elaine McGee.

Thanking everyone who took part, Mayor Stevenson said: “Tonight’s event is extremely significant in that it’s the last one for Derry City Council. The Women of the Year awards is a hugely successful night and a great forum to acknowledge the important role of women in our local community who are making a real difference to the lives of many.”

Meanwhile, Joanna Boyd, the council’s Women’s Officer, said: “We had a huge level of interest in this year’s event with applications from all over the city and region. Its fantastic to see so many inspirational women in the city and region who are working tirelessly to benefit others and we are delighted to be able to acknowledge them through the annual awards ceremony.”

She also extended her thanks to Local Women Magazine for sponsoring the event.

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The category winners were: Women’s Community Development, Jackie Barr; Community Relations, Irene Hewitt; Health, the Diabetes Specialist Nursing Team, WHSCT; Enterprise, Katrina Smith; Formal/Informal Education, Geraldine Fitzpatrick; Older People, Molly Ross; Youth, Bridie Sheridan; Caring, Clare Gillespie; Young Women (Posthumously Awarded) Sorcha Glenn; Women living with a Disability, Roisin Doherty; Women in the Trade Union Movement sponsored by UNISON/Inez McCormick, Gabrielle Carton.