COVENTRY-born former Hollywood film producer Marie Rowe was among the winners at a national awards ceremony in the city, in aid of The Katie Piper Foundation.
The Ladies First Network virtual event recognised female entrepreneurs from across the UK and raised nearly £4,000 with a silent charity auction.
Hosted by BBC radio presenter Sandra Godley from a studio in Coventry, the ceremony also featured a message from Katie Piper and burns survivor Catrin Pugh.
Marie was winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 77-year-old left school in Coventry at 15, to train as a junior secretary while studying drama and went to enjoy huge success as a Hollywood film producer, working with stars including Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Robin Williams.
From her first job as executive assistant at The Samuel Goldwyn Company in film acquisitions and marketing, she also went on to produce short films for the Alliance of Women Directors and Women in Film in Los Angeles.
Marie, now a respected speaker, has most recently been auditioning actors, via Zoom, for a series of short films on student mental health for Coventry University.
She said: “At the suggestion of my English Literature teacher, I began drama classes and was actually offered a scholarship to The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. However, because I was only 16 and moving to the big city was considered too dangerous, my mother wouldn’t let me go. ‘What’s the point?’ she said. ‘It’ll be a waste of time, because soon you’ll be getting married, having babies and scrubbing floors.
“Unfortunately, my mother only saw her picture of life, not mine, and I was expected to fit into that outdated mould.”
Marie feels one of her greatest accomplishments was as a secretary at an American Army Hospital in Stuttgart, working with drug addicts fresh out of Vietnam and suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
She said: “As part of the drug therapy group, I stood up for these young men when they were being abused and disrespected by the so-called therapists.”
Warwickshire’s Nicola Smyth, 36 from Southam was also announced as Business Woman of the Year.
The multi-award-winning international colourist, owns hair salons in Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth and Knowle, as well as running her own training academy in Kenilworth.
Since opening her first salon in Leamington in 2012, she has picked up national awards, including UK Colour Salon of the Year, UK Salon Design of the Year and British Hairdressing Awards Midlands Hairdresser of the Year 2018/2019.
She said: “These were worrying times for everyone and our newest salon in Knowle had only been open for six months. All staff were furloughed but we continued to have regular meetings via Zoom and online education was available for everyone.
“I think the whole country realised how much they missed their hairdresser during lockdown, and although there was high demand when we re-opened, some clients were anxious. It’s hard work for the team to have to wear their masks and visors all day, but we are extremely proud of the Covid measures we have in place in all salons. Our team feels safe – and so do our clients!”
The finalists of the third LFN Business Awards were chosen from more than 200 nominations, and decided by a panel of 12 judges from across the UK.
The awards coincided with the launch of a new book Inspirational Women, Inspirational Lives, compiled by Balsall Common’s Tracey McAtamney.
The book features the 58 finalists’ stories and is available from Amazon (also on Kindle) or through Tracey at: [email protected] with all the proceeds benefitting The Katie Piper Foundation.
Nominations re-open in September for the LFN 2022 Awards. For further details contact Tracey at: [email protected]
