Scores of people from across the city joined together to celebrate the incredible women of Portsmouth at a growing award ceremony this weekend.
The Pamodzi Creatives Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards returned for a fifth year on Friday, March 10 at the Guildhall in Portsmouth.
It was the first time the awards were held at the Guildhall, with the event being the biggest it has ever been.
Hosted by The Fabulous Josh and TamBam, the night consisted of a display of local talent, with performances from Kailani Dance Company, singer Hannah Roper, Batala Portsmouth, Twirlversity and more.
There were also fashion showcases from local designers such as Semande and LMJL Millinery.
There were 14 awards up for grabs on the night and each award went to a ‘recipient’ rather than a winner, which Pamodzi founder Roni introduced as she felt it was important to celebrate the whole tribe behind each person, rather than just the individual recipient.
Roni said “Our award recipients are not winners in the traditional sense. We are not celebrating the most elite performers, but those who make a positive impact to their respective community.
“Behind every woman or girl there is a tribe of people supporting her in different ways, so the award is the product of that whole tribe.”
A few of the deserving recipients included Bianca Brathwaite, founder of Mindset Maintenance for the Inspirational Role Model, Sophie Cartledge, founder of Hormones on the Blink, for Emerging Business and Jeannie Lymath, founder of Sole Care for Health.
Bianca said “I have attended the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards twice now and both times I have been I’ve just been sat in complete awe of these amazing women in our city that are creating so much change.
I think the pattern I see is that so many of us want to make the city a better place and want to help people not feel that pain that we have all felt, whether that’s with mental health or anything else. I’m still in shock of winning inspirational role model. I don’t think I am the only one to say I suffer with imposter syndrome, so to receive this award shows me that I am making a difference and that I can achieve big things!”
Hirina Kaur, a young girl who came to Portsmouth with her family to escape the Taliban, was the recipient of the Inspirational Young Person Award.
The night raised more than £2,000 for Endometriosis South Coast – a charity that supports people who suffer from endometriosis and raises awareness of the condition.
The charity’s founder, Jodie Hughes said “We are honestly so shocked with the amount that was raised on the night, it will go a long way in the community. It will be spent in the Portsmouth locality on helping our members get the support they need and deserve.”
The awards were supported by headline sponsors Denholm Industrial Services, Hughes and Salvidge, as well as event sponsors SLR Recruitment and Biscoes Solicitors, along with individual sponsors for each award.
Sarah Roads from SLR Recruitment who is also a non-executive at Pamodzi Creatives said “This event was a great opportunity for us as sponsors to stand shoulder to shoulder with the women and girls of the city, and we welcome any sponsors whose values underpin celebrating women to contact us at sponsors@pamodzicreatives.com.”
