Meet the Winners 2022
Strength, empathy and fearlessness were the key traits amongst the diverse women honoured at the Woman’s Way and Beko Mum of the Year Awards at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin
Ellie Kisyombe
In an afternoon filled with emotion and admiration, Ellie Kisyombe was crowned the overall Mum of the Year for 2022. The mum of twins, who fled her native Malawi and came to Ireland as an asylum seeker in 2010, was praised for the tough choices she had to make to protect her children, her activism to help others and her campaigning to end Direct Provision in Ireland.
“Remember we are not victims of our circumstances, but we are victors of every situation that we step into and there is nothing that can bring us down, we just need to look and find a solution,” she said, as she accepted her award.
Ellie impressed each of the judges with her courage and drive. Broadcaster and event judge Louise McSharry said: “Aside from being such a powerful voice in the direct provision system and working so hard to improve other people’s lives, Ellie shows that as a mother you have to make really difficult decisions, ones that your children won’t like, but they are for the greater good. I can’t imagine what Ellie went through, but she kept going and managed to get her kids here and look how well they are doing.” Ellie's daughter Tina is getting her law degree and her son Maurice is studying marketing.
Writer and model Rosanna Davison was honoured with the Celebrity Mum of the Year Award. The busy mum of three was lauded for assisting her daughter's gestational surrogate Anastasiia Berezan and her family flee to Ireland from war-torn Ukraine, as well as her advocacy work for surrogacy legislation in Ireland.
Humble Rosanna dedicated her award to those who hadn’t had things as easy as she had or didn’t have as strong of a support network as she does. “I also want to acknowledge the incredible Ukrainian women who have come to Ireland, they are the most practical, hardworking, kind and gorgeous people. Yes we worked hard to bring Nastia over, but the level of support from everybody in Ireland was incredible. Anyone we mentioned to that we were bringing our surrogate over just couldn’t do enough to help us. Well done to everyone in this country.”
It was a day for Rosanna’s to shine, as Roseanna Ruane won the Special Recognition Award. Her daughter Saoírse who was with her mum at the awards luncheon, stole the nation’s heart when they both appeared on RTÉ’s Late Late Show last year. Saoírse was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at age seven, underwent treatment and sadly lost her leg. Roseanna was praised for her tremendous positivity throughout Saoírse’s diagnosis and treatment and for the fundraising and awareness they’ve both carried out around childhood cancer. A visibly moved Roseanna said; “it’s my honour to be Saoírse’s mum, it’s an absolute privilege to be by her side over the last two and a half years when she struggled through a really difficult time and a life-threatening illness.” Moving the room to tears she added, “we have reason to smile every day when Saoírse is with us and all we hope for is that she stays with us, and we go on to make many memories.”
Event host, and chair of the judging panel Norah Casey agreed that the event had been particularly special. “This year we had incredible women nominees of all ages and backgrounds, truly reflective of Ireland in 2022 - some reaching out to help new mums and single mums feel less alone, others who hold family and community together who care for their loved ones, old and young, despite the enormous obstacles life throws at them. This year in particular we have seen phenomenal women lead the way in terms of Irish society, mums who against insurmountable odds have shone through with courage and determination.”
Managing director of Beko UK and Ireland, Teresa Arbuckle echoed Norah’s sentiments and praised the busy and challenging role women play in families. “I’m honoured to be here. I’ve been a working mum my whole career and I’ve juggled being a mum, with the kids and the job. I’m amazed by the nominees’ accomplishments. Beko try and make women’s lives easier, and men’s, but let’s face it who does most of the work at the end of the day?” she laughed. “Sorry guys, but women’s lives are easier because of appliances and technology and that’s one of the reasons we sponsor this event, but it’s also because it’s an amazing event and an amazing magazine, for amazing women like you.”
Now in its 19th year, the event is the largest and most recognised national awards, celebrating mothers across Ireland. Shane Kelly, Sales and Marketing Manager, Beko commented: “We are proud to support the Mum of the Year Awards, and this is now our seventh year involved. The calibre of the nominees this year was phenomenal and without a doubt the judges had a difficult decision to make. We’d like to thank all of the finalists for sharing their incredible stories and congratulate them on their outstanding achievements.”
Invited attendees enjoyed a delicious three-course lunch in the beautiful surroundings of the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin and thoroughly enjoyed the shared positivity and inspiration which was palpable around the room. The event was decorated with stunning silk flowers from Silk Prestige that not only looked incredible but also underpinned the sustainable theme of the awards. As the overall winner, Ellie received a €1,500 Beko voucher to spend on their super selection of home appliances, plus each of the finalists also took home a Beko Bean to Cup Coffee Machine and a goody bag filled with an array of treats.
Thank you to our goody bag sponsors for making the day extra special: Deborah Donnelly, Lindt, Pharmaton, Mother Reusables, Teeth Whitening Fairies, Cosmetic Faires, Blumáin Organic Skincare, Isadora, Holos Skincare, Batiste, Skinician, King Hair & Beauty, Dublin Herbalists, Kerry Hanaphy, Altrient C and Neutrient D3+K2 Oral Spray.
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