Former teacher who created award to showcase inspirational women honoured
Gulnaz Brennan, a former teacher living in Blackrod, is well known as the driving force behind the annual SheInspires Awards.
These recognise outstanding females locally, nationally and internationally.
The Daily Mail asked its readers to nominate women across the country who 'go the extra mile for other people' and selected five to become Inspirational Women of the Year.
Gulnaz won her award for her campaign to help women take greater control of their finances and their lives.
The paper described how it was the realization that many of her friends let their partners control their finances that 'lit the feminist fire in her".
SheInspires Awards' founder Gulnaz Brennan has been given a national award by the Daily Mail (Image: Supplied) Gulnaz said: 'One couldn't afford to do the supermarket shop because her ex had run up debts on her credit card.
"Another discovered after her relationship broke down that her ex had taken a loan out in her name.
'Saddled with his debt, she faced losing her home. It was heartbreaking.'
She felt that 'too many women are ignorant about finances and uncomfortable talking about money, but it's vital to stay in charge of our finances and not let anyone – even a partner – take over".
Gulnaz started her campaign Let's Talk Money and now runs monthly seminars, podcasts, webinars and networking events, helping thousands of women.
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Last year, she launched a programme to set up financial workshops helping girls from nursery school upwards understand how to manage money.
'We need to target children as young as possible and ensure they grow up with a healthy attitude to money,' she said.
'A world where girls are financially empowered is a world where they have control over their futures.
'Being recognised with this award is a wonderful feeling.
"It's a pat on the back – and a real motivator to do even more.'
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