Independent hardware retail chain Brights Hardware has announced the launch of the Women in DIY Excellence Awards, a new initiative to celebrate and recognise the incredible contributions and efforts of women in DIY, home improvement, renovation, social upliftment and upcycling activities.
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The competition aims to highlight the creativity, skill and dedication of women who run small businesses and transform their homes and communities through innovative projects.
Orlando Lewis, CEO of Bright Hardware, shared his enthusiasm for the initiative: “We created the Women in DIY Excellence Awards to celebrate women who embrace their hobbies, pursue their creativity and impact themselves, their families and their communities through DIY, renovation and upcycling. At Bright Hardware, we believe in empowering and recognising the talents of women who inspire us with their passion and ingenuity.”
The three winners of the Brights Women in DIY Excellence Awards will be announced during Women's Month in August 2024. Women's Month is a period celebrating the achievements and contributions of women in various fields and the influential role they play in the local community.
The overall winner in each category will receive a R5 000 Brights voucher and an assortment of products worth R5 000, totalling R10 000 in prizes per winner in each category.
“By recognising our winners during Women's Month, Bright Hardware aims to highlight the outstanding contributions of women in DIY, renovation and upcycling, and inspire more women to get involved in these transformative activities,” explains Lewis.
“As a company, we are committed to empowering women, both within the team that supports Brights Hardware internally and among our valued customers. We are also committed to breaking down gender barriers and stereotypes in the hardware industry.”
“We are calling on South Africans to nominate women they think deserve to be recognised for their DIY creativity and we also encourage women to enter the competition to show off their amazing creations and have the chance to be crowned DIY Queen and win some fantastic prizes.”
Award Categories
The award has three main categories with winners selected from each.
The first category, “Outstanding DIY, Home Decor & Repair, Renovation and Artistic Projects,” recognizes women who have excelled in a variety of DIY endeavors. Whether building, creating, repairing or maintaining, these women demonstrate incredible talent and creativity through their projects.
The second category, Best Eco-Friendly, Sustainability, Upcycling & Restoration Award, will be awarded to women who are passionate about sustainability, including those who upcycle, recycle and reuse furniture and other materials to create new and innovative products, as well as those whose projects promote energy efficiency and water conservation.
The third category, “Outstanding Social Responsibility, Community Development, and Community Empowerment Initiatives,” recognizes women who use their DIY skills to give back to their communities. Whether it's painting murals in under-resourced schools, building planters for community gardens, or volunteering for community improvement projects, these women are making a big impact through their philanthropic efforts.
“Applicants are welcome to apply – women who earn a full-time living from their skills, women who have a side hustle, women who have a craft hobby or women who donate their time – essentially any woman working in a creative field who fits into the three categories above,” Lewis explains.
way to participate
1. Choose a Category: Decide which category best suits your DIY project or the person you're recommending.
2. Submit your entry: Provide a detailed summary of your or your nominee's project. Include as much information as possible, including context on who, what, why, when and where (it's the little details that can make a big difference). Include high-resolution photos of the completed project or links to your social media profiles or digital portfolio.
3. Email your entry: Send your entry to (brights@brights.co.za) with the category in the subject line (e.g. “Competition Entry: Category 1 – DIY”).
The deadline for submissions is midnight on July 1, 2024.