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Barnardo's director is one of the youngest black women ever to receive gong

www.barnardos.org.uk

8 February 2011

Barnardo's director is one of the youngest black women ever to receive gong

Release Date: Tue, 08 February.2011 /-PM- 12:14:00:00
27-year-old Carlene Firmin was honoured this morning, following in the footsteps of Christine Ohuruogu, as one of the youngest black women to receive an MBE at Buckingham Palace.

The newly appointed assistant director of policy and research at Barnardo’s has during the past five years built an impressive portfolio of professional and personal achievements.

Carlene received a London Peace Award for bridging the gap between policymakers and young people, in 2008. In March 2010 she was nominated to present to the United Nations 54th Commission on the Status of Women in New York. Since then she founded and directed the Girls Against Gangs (GAG) Project, supporting women and girls to campaign for better services in their communities and inform local policies aimed at tackling gangs and youth violence.

Carlene says,

I am grateful and feel very privileged to be receiving the MBE award next week. It has been fantastic to see the impact my work has had on policy affecting girls’ and women’s issues and I am excited about what the future will hold for me now, working at an organisation with such a high profile as Barnardo’s."

Carlene received her MBE for services to girls and women from Prince Charles on Tuesday 8 February, between 11am – 12pm.

Home secretary Theresa May MP said in a letter of congratulations to Carlene,

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on this award and express my thanks for your important contribution to a fairer society. I am pleased that your work has been recognised in this way."

For interviews please contact the press office on 0208 498 7555.

A photograph of Carlene Firmin with her medal is available on request.