Barbara Lindsay is European Diversity Awards winner

Senior Policy Advisor and community campaigner Barbara Lindsay MBE last night succeeded against the odds to become the European Diversity campaigner of the year.

At a lavish event at the Savoy Hotel in London last night, Barbara beat off her rivals to take the coveted crown.

Speaking exclusively to OBV, Barbara said,

"I nearly didn't go to the awards. I knew I was nominated but I never thought I would win, particularly as the competition was so strong."

The judges who awarded Barbara with the honour stated her work in the local community was exemplary and added she was a role model and an inspiration.

In her speech after picking up the award, Barbara said,

I feel very humbled and privileged to receive this award, because, there are many people out there who are making big contributions to the equality and diversity agenda. My main object has been to encourage and persuade others that we can all contribute to making the world a better place. I can do no better than to share Nelson Mandela’s words from his inauguration speech in 1994 when he said: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure, It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us, We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?"

Operation Black Vote, surprisingly shortlisted for the International politician of the year award, lost out to Lord Alli. Big congratulations to him.

Our warmest congratulations go to Barbara Lindsay, a worthy winner of this prestigious award.

Picture: Barbara Lindsay (left)

Simon Woolley