The Echo's Elaine Duggan recognised with prestigious accolade at Cork business awards 

THE editor of WoW! Elaine Duggan has been announced as the recipient of The President's Award at the Network Ireland Cork Businesswoman of the Year Awards.

Ms Duggan, the deputy features editor at The Echo and editor of Women on Wednesday, was presented with the award by President of Network Ireland Cork, Susana Marambio, at a special ceremony in the Vienna Woods Hotel.

'Unsung Hero'

Susana said: "This is a special award that acknowledges the work of one exceptional individual outside of Network Cork. This individual embodies the spirit of our organisation of leading, supporting and collaborating.

"Three and a half years ago, I didn't know anyone in Cork and didn't own a business. I realised that local newspapers are a rich source of information, and I discovered someone who continuously shines a light on people's stories, journeys and causes. Through her work I've not only learned a lot about our members, but also about the beating heart of the Cork community.

"This award, therefore, goes to an unsung hero - someone whose daily work not only amplifies the stories of individuals driving change in Cork but also significantly impacts numerous people and businesses.

“The President's Award goes to the deputy features editor of The Echo and EchoLive.ie, and editor of the paper's Women on Wednesday (WoW!) supplement."

The President's Award was sponsored by RHEA.

'Thrilled and delighted'

Accepting the award, Elaine Duggan, from Crosshaven, who has worked in journalism for 24 years, said: "I still remember my first ever Network Cork meeting - or maybe I remember the feeling I had that night. I left feeling uplifted, energised, inspired... It's the same feeling I get every time I go to an event or talk to a member, or hear about what the network is up to.

"WoW! and Network Cork have a lot in common - our goal is to raise women up, shine a light on them, support them, celebrate them, honour them. So while it feels strange to be among those being honoured tonight, I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive the President's Award."

Ms Duggan told the audience that WoW! is now in its 21st year.

She said: "WoW! really is unique - there is no other supplement that is comparable - every week, we dedicate 16 pages to the women of Cork, published in The Echo and on EchoLive.ie. You won't find that anywhere else.

“Our features focus on what women in Cork are up to - be it the 80-year-old woman taking part in The Echo Women's Mini Marathon, the friends opening their dress rental service, or the mum climbing Kilimanjaro in her wedding dress, and much more. The women in Cork certainly give us enough to write about."

'A dedicated champion'

"We are absolutely delighted to see our colleague Elaine Duggan honoured with this award," The Echo editor Gráinne McGuinness said.

"Elaine is a fantastic journalist and has been a dedicated champion of women in Cork for so many years - it is wonderful to see her work acknowledged and celebrated."

A total of 45 remarkable businesswomen were shortlisted in eight categories at the awards ceremony.

Eight winners were announced and will now go onto the national finals in September in Kilkenny.

See WoW! on EchoLive.ie for a full list of the winners. Also, pick up a copy of WoW! next week for more coverage.