MBE for CWU's Edith Macauley
16th January 2012
CWU legal services administrator Edith
Macauley has been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours
list for her services to the local community.
Expressing her joy at being given the award, Edith said: "I
feel immensely proud to be honoured in such a way. To be a Member
of the British Empire (MBE) gives me personal pleasure and at the
same time I feel humbled.
"My pride is shared by my family who have given and
continue to give their unstinting support in my public and
professional life."
Edith has had a long and successful career in local government
and the CWU. She has worked most of her life at the CWU in the
legal affairs department since she first joined in 1972.
Outside of the union, she sits as a magistrate in Wimbledon and
is local councillor for Lavender Fields ward in the borough of
Merton. Edith became a councillor in 1998 and has served as a
cabinet member for housing. At present, she is cabinet member for
Community Engagement and Equalities.
"I was the first black woman mayor in the London Borough of
Merton in 2002-2003 and was voted the runner up in the prestigious
Mayor of the Year Award organised by the Co-operative Bank. This
was out of 100 local authorities across the country as it was said
that I was selected as having made one of the most outstanding
contributions to my local area," said Edith, who is proud of
her lifelong commitment to trade unionism.
"I am thankful to the CWU, as they have given me full support
and encouragement over the years since the days when I was employed
in Clapham. The union has played such an important part of my life
and I am very grateful especially for all the time which they have
given me to do my magistrates work and all my training."
CWU general secretary Billy Hayes
congratulated Edith on her award, saying: "The recognition
that Edith has received reflects not only the contribution she has
made to her local community and to the judicial system but also to
the union and we are justly proud of her."
Leader of Merton Council, Stephen Alambritis said: "This is fantastic news and I would like to congratulate Councillor Macauley on behalf of the residents of our borough and Merton Council. For over 13 years Councillor Macauley has worked with residents of Lavender Fields and across Merton and it is great to see her hard work recognised."
The awards ceremony will coincide with the Queen's diamond
jubilee celebrations in June this year.
