Nelson Mandela Award Winner 2023 – Carol Sewell

We are delighted to announce that Carol Sewell has won the 2023 Nelson Mandela Award.

Carol says “In my early retirement year, I am so blessed. I couldn’t believe that I was chosen. It is a great honour to accept this award from the National Black Members Committee and I would like to thank everyone that nominated me.”

More about Carol

Many UNISON members will know Carol, a great activist regionally and nationally. Elected as Vice President of UNISON in 2016, Carol went on to become Acting Vice President, representing the union and amplifying the voices of our members.

With over two decades on regional and national Black Members’ Committees, Carol has championed race equality and Black representation both within the union and externally. She has held positions on the TUC Race Relations Committee, the Anti-Racism Taskforce and was elected the ‘BAME’ Labour Representative on the National Labour Forum.

Those who have worked with Carol agree that she is an amazing role model, an outstanding advocate, and a nurturing mentor.

 “We, her UNISON family, are so proud of what she has achieved”.

What is the Nelson Mandela Award?

This award is given to those who exemplify Nelson Mandela’s values of determination, a desire for unity, and strength in the face of injustice. In gratitude to a great man who was an honorary member of UNISON, the National Black Members’ Committee continue to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela’s legacy and champion those who live by his standards.

If you’d like to nominate someone for this award, keep an eye out for the June edition of Black Action which will contain details of the nomination process.