Last night Funny Women founder, Lynne Parker was honoured In a celebration of women’s empowerment and leadership at Mansion House in London. The Athena40 Awards celebrated ‘Women’s Interventions for a Sustainable Future’ and were presented in partnership with the London Press Club, the City of London, KNOCK Inc. and ROKH Global.
The event showcased the extraordinary accomplishments of seven remarkable women across seven categories, honouring their commitment to driving positive change and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
The winners are:
Change Visionary: Nurdeniz Tuncer whose innovative initiatives have sparked transformative shifts in societal norms in Turkey for people with disabilities.
Leader of Positive Impact: our very own Lynne Parker was recognised for her work as the founder and chief executive of Funny Women since 2002, providing a platform to empower women to perform, write and do business with humour.
Sustainability Ambassador: Eleni Skarveli was recognised for her tireless advocacy for environmental conservation and sustainable travelling.
Pioneer in Tech and Innovation: Sarah Mintey MBE was celebrated for her ground-breaking contributions to the field of technology and education.
Promoter of Understanding Between Cultures: honouring Geraldine Sharpe-Newton, for her advocacy and bridge-building initiatives for over four decades, cultivating a more inclusive society, where diversity is celebrated and embraced.
Advocate for the Rights of Women: The charity Media Matters for Women was recognized for its unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality and championing the rights of women in Sierra Leone.
Artist whose work Re-Imagines our Societies: presented to London-based Iranian artist Anahita Rezvani-Rad for shedding light on important narratives around women’s rights and empowerment in Iran, amplifying voices that are often marginalized and underserved.
The evening, which took place under the auspices of the Lady Mayoress Elisabeth Mainelli, served as a poignant reminder of the indomitable spirit and boundless potential of women everywhere. Seven extraordinary women took centre stage with their stories of resilience, courage, and determination, inspiring renewed hope and optimism for a brighter future.
Elizabeth Filippouli, Founder of Athena40 and Global Thinkers Forum said: “From grassroots activism to corporate boardrooms, women are at the forefront, advocating for sustainable practices and spearheading transformative change. Together, we pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable world.”
Speaking about her award, Lynne said: “It’s lovely to be on the receiving end for a change! I accept this on behalf of the thousands of amazing women who’ve come through the Funny Women Awards over the last 20 years.
“I also want to celebrate all the incredible women and male allies who I work with across our communities in the UK, Ireland mainland Europe and our hometown of Medway, North Kent. My work is just as much about the women who don’t always want to go on stage but take part in our workshops, courses and workplace initiatives.
“Positive impact means helping others to have a voice and the confidence to play a key role in your community.”
Lynne attended the awards with Tracey Barr, chair of our non-executive board of directors, pictured here at the event.
To read more about the Athena40 Awards and the work of the Global Thinkers Forum, click here.
