The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trailblazer Award
In 2019, Barbara Taylor Bradford was appointed Women in Journalism’s first-ever Ambassador — a role she embraced wholeheartedly. She used her formidable profile in both the UK and the US, built on a pioneering career in journalism and extraordinary success as an author, to champion WIJ at every opportunity. Barbara cared deeply about women in journalism and liked nothing better than celebrating those who push boundaries, take risks, and reshape the landscape around them.
That legacy is being brought to the screens once again with a new adaptation of A Woman of Substance, starring Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds, airing on Channel 4 — a powerful reminder of Barbara’s enduring influence and relevance.
After her death, The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust felt it was important that this commitment did not end with her. Instead, it should evolve. That belief led to the creation of The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trailblazer Award.
A trailblazer, after all, is not someone who simply follows a path but someone who builds one. This award recognises a journalist who:
- Has used multiple platforms and initiatives to make a meaningful impact with their work, becoming a brand in their own right
- Has created national talking points across diverse audiences, unrestricted by a single outlet or medium
- Has established a distinctive USP, telling important stories across publishing, print, digital, broadcast, entertainment, social media, events, and through launching their own outlets or campaigns
Charlene’s career as an award-winning pioneering journalist, author, and broadcaster makes her the perfect recipient of The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trailblazer Award. Working her way up from regional broadcasting, she became the first black woman to present ITV News at Ten and host of ITV’s daytime show Loose Women.
She writes regularly for newspapers and her stellar career balances appearing on popular shows like Gogglebox and I’m a Celebrity alongside bringing world news to living rooms across the UK.
She uses her platform to mentor aspiring journalists, and works alongside various organisations to achieve better representation of women and minorities in the industry.
H.E Vicki Downey, Trustee of The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust, said: “We are delighted to present this year’s award to Charlene White, a trailblazing journalist whose career exemplifies the qualities this honour celebrates: leadership, courage, and impact.