State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, will today announce that Ms Tomika Riley is the Wallsend Local Woman of the Year.
March 8 marks International Women’s Day. First celebrated in 1909, International Women’s Day is about celebrating the achievements of women in all walks of life and promoting the core message of gender equality.
Ms Riley will be presented with the award at a breakfast ceremony today with all the other winners of the Local Woman of the Year awards.
Ms Riley is a volunteer with the Newcastle branch of Friends With Dignity, a not-for-profit organisation that provides help to people escaping domestic violence and abusive situations, to set up new homes and new lives.
When a family leaves a refuge and is able to finally secure some housing, they often don’t have and household items that most of us take for granted, and that is where Ms Riley and Friends With Dignity step in.
Ms Riley works to assist by offering non-perishable foods, toiletries, clothing, furniture and toys to help them make a house a home.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“I would like to applaud Tomika Riley who is the Wallsend Local Woman of the Year for 2017.”
“Ms Riley has worked tirelessly in our community as a volunteer with the Newcastle branch of Friends With Dignity helping those people in desperate need of a fresh start in life.”
“Ms Riley and her dedicated team of volunteers support victims of domestic violence to turn houses into welcoming sanctuaries and re-build their lives with purpose, dignity and hope.”
“Together they give people the dignity of a home to call their own.”
“I wish everyone regardless of their gender a happy International Women’s Day and congratulate Tomika on her award.”