Prestigious Award for Mercy Ships Trustee
Ann Gloag OBE, co-founder of the transport company Stagecoach, and Mercy Ships trustee, is to receive the prestigious Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal Award at the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Eleanor Roosevelt Center in New York State this Sunday (16 October).
The Medal, whose previous recipients include Hillary Clinton, Harry Belafonte, Susan Sarandon, Christopher Reeve and Queen Noor of Jordan, honours individuals and organisations that, through their work and actions, carry on the values that Eleanor Roosevelt espoused in her public life.
Ann Gloag, a former nurse, is being honoured for her extensive charitable work over the last 30 years and in particular for establishing the Freedom From Fistula Foundation in 2008 to help provide free medical care to some of the two million women in Africa who have been injured in childbirth.
This Sunday’s event marks the 25th anniversary of the Eleanor Roosevelt Center which inspires and empowers individuals and organisations to use their time, talent and resources to build a just and sustainable world by providing programmes and experiences epitomising Eleanor Roosevelt’s passion and commitment to human rights, principled leadership, engaged citizenship and social justice for all.
Speaking on hearing the news of the award, Ann said, “It is a huge privilege to have been chosen to receive the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal as the former First Lady of the United States was such an inspirational and well-respected woman, advocate and leader.
“One of the greatest pleasures of being successful in business is that it has allowed me to be intimately involved in charities and projects close to my heart and it has been an honour to meet and work with so many people who are making a difference in the world.”
Kathleen Durham, Executive Director of The Eleanor Roosevelt Center, said, “We are delighted to be honouring Ann Gloag and the other Medalists on the 25th anniversary of the Center.
“Ann embodies the spirit and leadership displayed by Eleanor Roosevelt during and after her years as First Lady and this year’s outstanding Medalists are further proof that ‘one’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes’.”
Ann Gloag’s charitable work includes:
- Setting up the Freedom From Fistula Foundation in 2008 to help women who have been severely injured during childbirth
- Running an orphanage and building a school in Nairobi, Kenya and setting up a women’s rescue centre with the co-operation of the Massai chiefs
- Supporting the international charity Mercy Ships that provides free medical services and humanitarian care to the poorest people around the world – including the purchase of the Africa Mercy and overseeing its conversion into the world’s largest charity hospital ship
- Supporting a wide variety of charities in the UK including The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Marie Curie Cancer Care, Opportunity International, TICR Appeal in Dundee, The Prince’s Trust and many more.
Ann Gloag is also a past winner of the Businesswoman of the Year Award, European Women in Achievement Award and has won a Great Scot Award for her work with Mercy Ships.
The other recipients of this year’s medal are Matilda Cuomo, the former First Lady of New York and Founder of Mentoring USA; Lorraine Roberts, a well-known community leader; and Vassar College, a leader in innovation in education.
The Medal Ceremony is taking place on Sunday 16th October at The Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park, NY.