Bristol Women’s Voice Wonderful Women Award’s were presented as part of our International Women’s Day celebrations on the 3rd of March. We celebrated over 50 women from across Bristol who had been nominated for their contribution to their communities, each week you can find out more about one of these Wonderful Women…
Rebecca Prior
Rebecca Prior received a Wonderful Women Award for her work empowering people of all ages through art. She delivers creative workshops and is passionate about supporting community groups and young people to create large scale, collaborative art pieces. Rebecca is a Design and Fabrication Artist who creates various works for theatre, film, public spaces and events.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Oh geez, well everyone wishes they were more comfortable in their own skin when they were young but, would I have listened? No way! Also, I kind of believe that any insecurities, emotions or challenges I went through ultimately influenced who I am today; forming my creative ideas, my passion, my confidence, my ambition.
What I would tell my younger, current and older self is – whatever you’re doing and whatever you are feeling, is absolutely great.
Which women have inspired you?
My parents never gave me any indication that opportunities were limited, instead they taught me that if I wanted something bad enough, then there would be a way to do it. I owe my determination to my mum. I was the kind of child that wanted to do and have everything. She would set me challenges and tasks, for example, I wanted a pet rabbit and to get one, I had to ask every day for one year not missing a single day. I called him Bambow.
However, the woman that has inspired me so much, to the point of speechlessness, is one of my oldest pals Maddie Harris. She used to manage festival sites and large events setting up power, toilets, pathways, infrastructure etc. Three years ago she decided to help in the refugee camp in Dunkirk, using her skills to aid the refugees there. She has spent many, many months during this time giving everything she has. From building the site, writing to politicians, running crowdfunding campaigns, helping refugees write applications and keeping them as protected as she could- physically and mentally. She has now set up a charity called Humans For Rights Network – which, with an App allows refugees and migrants to speak out and document the human rights violations they experience. The mainstream media are inaccurate and refuse to report the full abuse these individuals face. Her totally selflessness and willingness to do everything she can to help vulnerable people inspires me every day.
What do you want to see change for women in Bristol?
To do more of what they want to do. To ignore barriers – personal and professional. Bristol has a great community spirit but there is no harm in making it even better. We all need to look out for each other.
Is there anything that you have read, seen or listened to recently which has inspired you?
A free course called ‘destination success course’ at Get Set for Growth really helped channel my thoughts and ideas.
