Dr Jim Walsh, Conway Hall CEO, presented the award by saying: “Yvonne Field gives a voice, with the Ubele Initiative, to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, women and young people. She is an active campaigner on a range of social issues such as women’s rights and race equality issues, and has partnered with Conway Hall on several projects. Because of this work, her enthusiasm, and her generosity of nature towards all, in a strong field of possible winners, the staff at Conway Hall decided that she was the best representative of our organisation’s Ethical values."
Yvonne Field said: “My work in communities and organisations for more than 40 years has had social justice and equality at its’ heart. I have met and worked with some very committed allies and I want to pay homage to my mother, one of the Windrush generation, who showed me at an very early age that mainstream systems must and can be challenged.
“It is an incredible privilege and honour to be given the first ever Ethical Award. Conway Hall’s team have been incredibly generous and supportive to Ubele and we look forward to supporting the work of Conway Hall for years to come.”
The Gala event was hosted by BBC Radio 4 presenter Iszi Lawrence, with talks from Vagina Museum co-founder Florence Schechter, comic poet John Hegley, sustainable fashion entrepreneur Safia Minney, historian and activist David Rosenberg, and lawyer and campaigner Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu.
Photo credit: Piers Allardyce
