THE chair of Jersey’s Women’s Institutes has been named the Inspirational Woman of the Year 2024 for her decades of charity work in the Island.
Joy Thomson was presented with the Soroptimists International Jersey’s award this afternoon at an afternoon tea in the marquee at Government House.
More than 100 were in attendance, and guests included Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd, his wife Dr Karen Kyd, and President of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, Ruth Healey.
The other two finalists were Kate Wright, a cultural change and HR consultant who chaired the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce, and Beverley Le Cuirot, founder and director of WellBeing World and the the international annual awareness event “World WellBeing Week”.
The award celebrates women who have overcome adversity, made a difference in the community and supported women-related activities, and former winners from its quarter-century history were also at the event.
Speaking after receiving the award, Mrs Thomson said: “I think I’m standing here under false pretences, because these two ladies have done far more than I have.
“All I have done is carried on the work of the Women’s Institute and the organisations I belong to, whereas these people have really inspired other people. I thank you very much, I don’t think I deserve it, but I’m very grateful.”
Mrs Thomson, a former English teacher at JCG, is federation chairman of the Island’s many Women’s Institute branches, chair of the Jersey Association for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus, vice president of Glanville voluntary committee, and has held or still holds other charitable and community roles.
