Briefly, willingly, in the Spotlight

Victoria Mason
Jul 23
2 min read

by Victoria Mason

Partnership Development (Volunteer)

I feel a little too much in the spotlight, if I’m honest. But I also know we need to seize this moment — for Own My Life, for the women the course reaches, and for everyone who is part of this sisterhood.

So here I am, writing this. In the spotlight, briefly, willingly.

The ceremony, the inaugural Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls Awards, took place in the State Rooms of the Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster, on one of the hottest evenings of the year. I took my 16-year-old niece with me.

Before the ceremony, shortlisted nominees and their guests were invited to meet one another over drinks, with the most spectacular view over the Thames. It was a genuinely beautiful occasion; the kind of evening where you look around the room and feel the weight of the work everyone there has done.

And then we were called together, and the Speaker welcomed us, and the award presentations began. When my name was read out for Volunteer of the Year, by Sara Owens MP, I was overwhelmed.

But I want to be clear about what I think this award is.

It is recognition of the work of so many women up and down the country who are part of the Own My Life sisterhood; facilitators and participants alike. Women who, like me, cannot keep the Own My Life joy under wraps. Who tell people about the course. Who tell their friends, their colleagues, strangers on trains. Who are, collectively and organically, the reason Own My Life has reached so many women.

This award is for them.

I will continue to sing from the rooftops. I am hopeful about what this recognition might open up for Own My Life, about the women we might yet reach. And I am so glad my niece was there to be part of it.

Because that’s what Own My Life does, in the end — it passes something forward. Woman to woman. Generation to generation.