Cookstown pensioner Maud Kells named Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year

Maud Kells, who was also awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list, scooped the title at the newspaper’s celebration of outstanding women from across Northern Ireland.

Speaking at Thursday night’s event, the inspirational 75-year-old said: “It is such a surprise, honour and privilege.

“It has been an honour to work in the Congo all these years.”

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Maud added: “I speak at a lot of ladies’ meetings in Northern Ireland about Africa and if that encourages women and inspires them to go on to do things, it pleases me.”

The Belfast Telegraph reported on their website that Maud was chosen because the judges were so impressed by her “bravery, tenacity and selflessness”.

Belfast Telegraph editor Gail Walker chaired the judging panel, which also included freelance writer Maureen Coleman, head of Ulster Bank Ellvena Graham and former Woman of the Year in Fashion Maureen Martin.

Ms Walker said: “Maud is an outstanding winner.

“She is an inspiring lady and it was a unanimous decision by the judges to give her the overall title.”