THREE local women have been short listed for awards at the third Annual Women Inspiring Women National Awards ceremony which is being held on July 5.

The awards provide an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of women who are role models for other women, by either working directly with them or by being a great example.

The three are Sue Taylor, partner of Cafe at 36 in Cowick Street, Thomas, who has been shortlisted for the Shining Online award; Jeanette Brown, beauty therapist and partner in the hugely successful Devon Hour networking event, and Dana Mulligan, of Cartridges Solicitors, also in Cowick Street. Both Jeanette and Dana have been shortlisted for the Woman in the Community.

Jeanette is a supporter of women who have come from domestic abuse situations through the SEEDS Devon community group, Survivors Educating Empowering The Domestic Abuse Services, helping survivors raise their voice help shape a better provision for those using those services.

Dana Mulligan has been nominated because of her involvement in the St. Thomas community, most notably establishing the St. Thomas Traders’ Association, a partnership of more than 110 businesses intent on growing the community, and spearheading the return of Christmas lights. She has also arranged summer fêtes, Jubilee Celebrations and Easter treats, sponsoring egg hunts and getting Easter Flags flying high in Cowick Street. These activities provide fun for all ages in the St. Thomas area and continue to help bring businesses and local residents together.

Sue Taylor has, through the use of Twitter, inspired other women in Exeter to get online and use social media to promote their own businesses and led to her being invited to act as an ambassador for the city during its hosting of the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Sue said: “We are all thrilled to have been recognised for the work that we do and feel that these national awards will help raise the profile even further of small businesses in Exeter.”

There were hundreds of nominations across nine different categories and the winners in each category have been decided by votes from the public.