The Founding member and Director of The Voice of Domestic Workers (VODW) is one of Ethnicity Awards 2021 recipients as Top 10 Outstanding Contributor to Communities for her positive campaign and awareness work for Britain’s over sixteen overseas domestic workers. Marissa came in the UK in 2004 who escaped from abusive employment and found her fellow domestic workers trapped in many private households unable to flee abuse. The charity VODW has been supporting Domestic Workers who are fleeing abuse and at risked of destitution. VODW provide temporary food and accommodation including job referrals so domestic workers could rebuild their lives. VODW also provide education and training so they could upgrade their skills and be the voice of their own rights.
The Annual Ethnicity Awards was held in Marriot Hotel on Friday night November 12. Community advocates, Charities, celebrities and public figures were honoured for their work to end racism and progressed on equality.
Marissa was unable to attend this event, It was great to see our chair and trustee Nerisa Valerion in her stunning Filipiniana dress to receive the award.
The 2021 Ethnicity Award winners
INSPIRATIONAL PUBLIC FIGURE – Naomi Campbell
TESCO FUTURE LEADER – Kemi Fajoye, Pearson
ONLINE INFLUENCER – Munya Chawawa
NATIONAL GRID WORKPLACE HERO – Sami Halepota, Surrey Police
MACQUARIE GROUP NETWORK GROUP (ERG) – Embrace, HSBC UK
BURBERRY PRESENTER, JOURNALIST OR HOST – Naga Munchetty
LLOYDS BANKING GROUP CHAMPION (ALLY) – James Clarry, Coutts
LGIM CHARITY OR COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – End Violence and Racism Against ESEA Communities
SPORTS PERSONALITY – Alex Scott MBE
VIACOMCBS INSPIRATIONAL LEADER – Segun Osuntokun, BCLP
BP OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITIES – Marissa Begonia, The Voice of Domestic Workers
MEDIA PROGRESS MOMENT – Leigh-Anne Pinnock’s ‘Race, Pop and Power’ Documentary
POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR – Sadiq Khan
MUSIC ARTIST – Arlo Parks
HSBC UK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Moira Stuart OBE
OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER – National Grid
For more info about 2021 Ethnicity Awards winners. CHECK HERE