Artistes of the Month
Also featured: Patti Boulaye, Jonathan Edwards
Kathleen O'Malley
Pic courtesy of Sunday Mirror
In
1950, Kathleen O'Malley and her two sisters were legally abducted from their
mother and placed in an industrial school ran by the Sisters of Mercy order
of nuns, who also ran the notorious Magdalene Homes. The rape of eight-year-old
Kathleen by a neighbour had triggered their removal - the Irish authorities
ruling that her mother must have been negligent. They were only allowed
a strictly supervised visit once a year, until they were permitted to leave
the harsh and cruel regime of the institution at the age of sixteen.
But Kate survived her traumatic childhood and escaped her past by leaving for England and then Australia when the British government offered a scheme to encourage settlement there. Fleeing her past again, Kate worked as a governess in Paris and then returned to England where she trained as a beautician at Elizabeth Arden. She married and had a son. A turning point in Kate's life came when she applied to become a magistrate and realised that she had to confront her hidden personal history and make it public.
This is her inspiring story.
Patti Boulaye
Patti
Boulaye first came to this country from Nigeria at the age of 16 and appeared
in her first West End Musical 'Hair'. 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' followed
this and 12 months as one of the fabulous 'The Flirtations' pop group.
She returned to the London stage as 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. In 1975
Patti was cast in her first West End Starring role, 'Yum Yum' in the 'Black
Mikado'. This gave Patti her first of many plaudits by the critics for
her West End appearances.
Following 'The Black Mikado' Patti changed her name from Patricia Ngosi Ebigwei after a chance meeting with the vivacious Evelyn (Boo) Laye. After starring in the successful African film 'Bisi Daughter of the River', Patti won the ABCTV 'New Faces' Series with an unprecedented full marks. Patti starred in her first British film 'The Music Machine' followed by 'Hussy' with Helen Mirren.
Patti's gone on to have a highly successful and critically acclaimed career making extensive world cabaret appearances, producing 7 albums and appearing in countless shows including Sion Callow's Carmen Jones, as well as producing her own version of 'Blues In The Night'.
Yet her time on stage is only one part of her life. Away from the stage, she is the Founder/President of the charity SUPPORT FOR AFRICA, which organised a 5000 strong gospel choir for The Golden Jubilee Parade in 2002. She is also successful jewellery designed with her own regular spot on QVC, and has sought political office for the Conservative Party.
And yet despite all this success, Patti's career choice led to ostracisation from her family. The thought of a career in showbiz horrified her parents who had expected their daughter to take a up a profession such as law or medicine.
In her presentations she talks about following your dreams, and living
life on your own terms. She draws on the early isolation she felt from
her family, and how ultimately she's used her setbacks to spur her on
to ever greater achievements.
Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan
Edwards' extraordinary achievements on the track have earned him a place
in history as one of the World's greatest and most loved athletes. After
a career that spanned some 15 years, Jonathan made his last competitive
triple jump at the World Athletics Championships in Paris in 2003, signifying
the end of an era for British Athletics...
Jonathan first made the record books in 1995 when he set a devastating
World Record at the World Championships in Gothenburg with an amazing
jump of 18.29m, to date no one has even come close to this distance.
In a glittering career that has spanned some 15 years there are few titles that Jonathan did not win. However it was not until Sydney 2000 that Jonathan achieved his ultimate goal of winning Gold at the Olympics. He jumped 17.77 at the glittering event in Sydney and captured the heart of the nation to return home to a hero's welcome.
In 2002 Jonathan made the record books again and joined athletics' most elite club when he added the Commonwealth Gold to his medal collection, meaning that he became one of only of four athletes in the world who have held all four major titles (Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth) at one time.
A marvellous career on track has been equally matched by his accolades off track including the BBC's prestigious Sports Personality of the Year Award (95) and a CBE in the New Years Honours List 2000. In a reflection of his huge profile both as an athlete and as a role model, Jonathan has also achieved a great deal of success with carefully selected commercial partners including Ultralase, MG Rover and Engineering in the Olympics and in addition he currently enjoys fulfilling the prestigious role of Worldwide Ambassador for the Asics brand.
Jonathan has been firmly positioned as a key member of the 2012 bid team from the outset and has recently secured his continued involvement as the athlete member serving on the London 2012 Organising Committee Board from now until the games itself. His public positioning has cemented his profile as one of Britain's most eloquent and intellectual sporting speakers....
Jonathan has been required to take to the stage at countless high profile media gatherings. He is an accomplished, controlled and confortable speaker. He was our secret ticket during the final push in Singapore as he was rehearsed and ready to replace any of the speakers in the event of a problem - including Lord Coe himself.
Jonathan is an experienced and professional speaker. He is relaxed, natural and confident when he presents. Eloquent and concise Jonathan is clear and controlled. He attacks his addresses with a focused and intelligent style.
Jonathan offers a specific presentation on the 'Business of the Bid' As an integral member of the bid team he offers behind the scenes information on the construction and implementation of the bid effort. The key focus areas, the leadership and the teamwork required for success. Jonathan is passionate about everything the 2012 games will do for sport in this country and he translates this in a genuine and inspiring manner. Having been involved from the outset right up to the momentous outcome in Singapore Jonathan's excitement, relief, joy and overwhelming enthusiasm for producing a 2012 games is evident in this factual business address.
Leadership, teamwork, business strategy, passion for sport, background
to sport, personal drive and commitment.
Further Information
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