International Woman's Day 2025 - Sisters of Stourbridge Awards

Cat Eccles MP with the Sisters of Stourbridge 2025

International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900's. The day is celebrated globally and aims to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements and rally to further women's equality. Marked annually on March 8th, IWD is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women's achievements. educate and awareness raise about women's equality.

A fierce advocate of women's rights, MP Cat Eccles is proud to be part of a Parliament with the highest ever number of female MPs. In a typically male dominated field where women can be under-represented, Cat makes sure to speak up to challenge the barriers women face and make clear gender equality is not negotiable. Cat is the 680th female MP which, in a centuries old institution still with a way to go, is a huge achievement in itself. Although Cat herself has achieved so much as a woman, she wanted to give something back to female constituents who have also made a difference in their communities. Cat launched Sisters of Stourbridge to celebrate International Women's Day with winners treated to afternoon tea, a chat and an award. The woman attended Ten Steps Coffee Lounge for afternoon tea, cakes and tea.

Along with other amazing woman, our CoFounder Mandy was nominated for her dedicated to animal welfare and bringing about lasting reform in the form of microchipping.

Here are the ladies nominated for this years Sisters of Stourbridge Awards and a little about the amazing work they do in their constituency;

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.

Each and every Sister of Stourbridge has been monumental in making a difference in their fields, and it was lovely for Cat and her team to want to recognise the work they each do and mark such a special day in the way they did. We women tend to struggle to take compliments and have a habit of underplaying our achievements, so an award show like this gives the woman chance to realise they are very much appreciated for all they do.

Cat Eccles MP and CatsMatter's Mandy

Cat has three cats of her own and is devoted to cat and animal welfare. Cat is Vice Chair the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cats (APGOCATS) which is a group of cross party MPs and Lords that hold meetings to discuss key areas of focus on cat welfare with the aim of influencing new legislation. Their current key areas are preventing cat and kitten smuggling, calls for regulating cat breeding, banning the use of electronic shock collars on cats and dogs, and pet-friendly housing. Cat also raised the issue of reportable road accidents for the APGOCATS to discuss in future meetings. We very much look forward to working with Cat in future to promote cats rights on our road network.

Mandy's cat Coco showing off her Sisters of Stourbridge award made by the team at Glass Quarter Designs.