Mrs. Catherine Parker: Vice Chair

It is a privilege to be involved with EOW and especially to work alongside Sadiyo Siad. I am committed to furthering EOW’s progress.

I am a freelance writer, trained proofreader and editor. I retired from general nursing in 2010 after a thirty-year nursing career. I enjoyed supporting, teaching and mentoring staff and colleagues, liaising with patients, their families and carers and practising and promoting high standards of care. Prior to my nursing career I was a local government officer in a Health and Housing Department; assisted in Family Planning services and ‘Well Woman’ clinics; ran a playgroup; worked in a school library and taught First Aid with the Red Cross.

I have a large extended family. I cared for my mother for several years before she passed away aged 96 in 2013. Thankfully she gifted me her patience, sense of adventure and fun, tolerance, and a positive ‘can-do’ attitude.

I studied for a diploma at York University and I am currently studying for an honours degree with the Open University. I trained as a Reiki Practitioner in 2012. I like driving, travelling, baking, gardening and reading.

Through my parents I learned to treat all people equally and with respect; this is a principle by which I live. I have been fortunate in having had a good education and strong family support, things that are not always there for all people, especially women. I am passionate about promoting women’s health, independence and self-worth, and encouraging women to become more positive about what they can achieve.