Ved Nayar has been voted as the award winner for her commitment to supporting women of all ages and backgrounds through groups such as Chai and Chat and Walk and Talk.
Over the past forty years, Ved has been a true inspiration and role model for women around her, which she was recognised for at Northampton's Inspirational Woman awards on Saturday.
Ved created a lady’s group for Indian women with a vision of widening their social circles and building their confidence.
Three years ago, she launched the Walk and Talk group promoting social, physical and emotional wellbeing for women and helping them to deal with mobility, asthma, diabetes, bereavement and isolation issues.
She also visits group members on a regular basis and spends time with those who are now elderly and unable to join the walks.
In her nomination, Ved was described as ‘inspirational’ and ‘enthusiastic,’ and ‘someone who is always there to support and encourage others to enjoy life to the full’.
Councillor Anna King, Cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said: “As always, choosing a winner from the many nominations we received this year was extremely difficult - each of the five award finalists deserve recognition for the hard work and commitment they have shown in their communities.
"However, Ved’s caring personality really shone through in her nomination, and we wanted to highlight the positive impact that she had on her community.
"We hope that giving her this award helps to do this and we are all very grateful for the difference she made within the community.
“Although Ved was unable to join us to pick up her award, we were delighted to present it to her proud daughters and share her happiness over FaceTime, proving once again that distance makes no difference for today’s inspiring women."
The four other women who were shortlisted during the judging process, after they were nominated for the difference they each make in their community by providing support, by volunteering and by being great role models were Ann Comerford, Jody Abbott, Jodie Low and Karen Haynes.
Also, on Saturday, a trailblazers interactive quiz was held in six pop-up locations around town which aimed to showcase some of the women that have contributed significantly to the technology we all use in our daily lives.
Two of those women involved included Fridge Street entrepreneur, Kardi Somerfield, who demonstrated live digital design at Vintage Guru, and Georgina Laing-Sutton an illustrator working in social media and marketing at the University of Northampton.
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Northampton Rock Choir performed a lively singing and dance performance at the Guildhall
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Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Safet, councillor Anna King (Phippsville)
