NWR Mary Stott Award
Mary Stott was a journalist and columnist and longest serving editor of ‘The Guardian’ newspaper’s Women’s page. It was under her aegis in 1960 that, in response to a letter from Maureen Nicol, the women’s page provided a launch pad for the National Housewives Register (NHR), which provided a communication channel for housebound wives. The letter highlighted the plight of women who moved around the country because of their husbands’ jobs.
You can read Mary’s obituary in The Guardian.
Mary Stott remained a great supporter of NHR, then NWR for 40 years. She served as a Trustee, informal advisor and was one of our Honorary Life Members. Mary died in 2002 aged 95.
As a lasting tribute to Mary, the Trustees introduced the Mary Stott Award in 2003.
Award criteria
The winner of the award will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Successfully undertakes an imaginative and productive initiative to raise the profile of NWR and/or their local group.
- Organises an event or activity that results in positive and extensive publicity for NWR.
- Exceptional service to NWR – whose contribution has been of great value to NWR over a sustained amount of time.
Award prize
The Mary Stott Award recipient is presented with a commemorative quaich – a Scottish cup of friendship – which is held by the winner for one year. In addition, the award winner receives a prize of a place at the NWR National Conference or similar NWR event.
The 2025 Award winner will be announced at the National Conference in Telford in July.
How to submit a nomination
Award candidates must be nominated by a current NWR member, and nominators are asked to submit in writing the reasons for their nomination, matching these to the criteria specified. Nominations should be a maximum of 500 words, text only, and sent by email to [email protected] as a Word or PDF document. Nominees must give their permission to have their name put forward.
Ensure you receive an acknowledgement that your nomination submission has been received.
Closing date for 2025: Please submit nominations by 31st May 2025