Pollyanna wins Everywoman award

Pollyanna has been named winner of the Hera category at the prestigious 2004 NatWest everywoman Awards at the sparkling Awards ceremony held at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

Pollyanna beat hundreds of women entrepreneurs to reach the top spot in the CREATE sponsored Hera Award that honours and recognises the achievements of women in business.

The awards were hosted by GMTV presenter Penny Smith (below right with Pollyanna)

Unique in their offering, the awards reward not only business women who have achieved significant success, but also women who have overcome adversities such as financial constraints, social disadvantages or skills gaps and strived forward with sheer determination and passion.

Commenting on Pollyanna’s achievements, everywoman co-founders, Maxine Benson and Karen Gill said, “We are delighted for Pollyanna – the whole judging panel was overwhelmed by her determination; she is such an inspiration and a perfect example of how women are not only overcoming barriers such as lack of support from industry sectors, but more importantly how they are doing so amazingly well in them.”

Robert Looker, Franchise Manager, CREATE, who sponsor the Hera award added “We are delighted to present Pollyanna with this award. She has shown such determination and has single-handedly got her business dream off the ground and made it the continuing success it is today. We applaud her business success.”

The NatWest everywoman Awards were presented during an Awards Ceremony held at The Vilar Floral Hall, The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 8 December 2004. The ceremony was attended by the Rt Hon Nigel Griffiths, Minister for Small Business & Enterprise. Recognising the achievements of these women, following the ceremony, the HM Treasury invited all winners to an exclusive reception at 11 Downing Street.

Prime Minister Tony Blair added his congratulations saying ‘I am delighted to once again give my support to this years everywoman award ceremony which recognises the outstanding achievements of the UK’s leading women entrepreneurs. I look forward to hearing of many more success stories of inspirational women achievers in the future’. This year, the NatWest everywoman Awards supported Refuge, a charity dedicated to providing emergency accommodation and emotional and practical support for women and children who experience domestic violence

You can read more about the awards, and the other winners and finalists at the everywoman web site.