Ten women were nominated by local people for their outstanding contributions to the community as part of a new award introduced by Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles.

The winners include a schoolteacher, choir leader, a drug and alcohol abuse worker, a campaigner against domestic abuse, a Rainbow leader, a litter picker, an HR manager, a cat protection activist, a champion for better Black Maternal Health and a hospice fundraiser. 

Their names were mentioned in parliament on Thursday during a speech by Cat Eccles for International Women’s Day. 

The ten Sisters of Stourbridge will attend a celebration tea in Brierley Hill on Saturday 8 March. 

Speaking ahead of the celebration Cat Eccles said: ‘I was amazed at how many nominations were sent in – selecting our ten winners was really tough. But the ones we picked are incredible.

They’ve really contributed to our community – from making our area cleaner to campaigning on an issue as serious as domestic abuse – each and every one of our Sisters of Stourbridge is an inspiration for future generations." 

The ten winner are:

• Chloe Cox: an English teacher at Ridgewood High School who bravely returned to the classroom after surviving a life-threatening brain tumour. Pupils and colleagues alike are so happy to see her back and her resilience is inspiring.
 
• Mandy Hobbis: who campaigns tirelessly for road safety laws to protect cats ensuring they are treated with the same respect as dogs. 
• Kate Cooke: who overcame a stroke to become a HR Manager at Emmiera Group in Brierley Hill. She has developed two programmes to help young people on to the employment ladder. 
• Judith Moreland: a leader in the arts: from keeping her In Sound Company Community Choir alive since 2012, to performing at prestigious events like Community Spirit at Symphony Hall and the Commonwealth Games. Her dedication has fostered growth, inclusivity and perseverance - especially through lockdown. 
• Rosemary Taylor: who is in her 80s but still goes out in all weathers with her trolley, litter picking in the area, including along the canal. She was described by thankful constituents as a “force of nature” who does so much to keep the area clean. 
• Heather Cruickshanks: runs a Rainbow unit and helps the Guides and Trefoil Guild. She turns 80 this year. She’s been described by locals as an amazing woman. 
• Elsie Gayle: campaigns to improve maternal care for black women in the UK. She is a driving force behind the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Black Maternal Health. 
• Emma Kilbride: is raising vital funds for Mary Stevens Hospice through her Stourbridge Jigsaw Library, which in just 15 months has raised £26,500. 
• Anji Burford: is supporting local people with drug and alcohol addiction at Atlantic House. Constituents say Anji fights daily for service users, has exceptional relationships with police looking to help lower local crime rates, works tirelessly to support our homeless community and has endless meetings to keep our children safe.
 
• Samantha Billingham is a fierce campaigner for domestic abuse survivors. Samantha’s work reminds us that true gender parity is impossible while women still live in fear.