Remarkable Women Awards 2019: Poorna Bell on the vital importance of giving others a voice

Poorna bell

Remarkable Women Awards


Remarkable Women Awards 2019: Poorna Bell on the vital importance of giving others a voice

By Sarah Biddlecombe

6 years ago

The journalist’s work in uniting men and women to tackle the stigma around mental health makes her truly remarkable.

We all need heroes in our lives - people that we look up to, and admire. 

This could be a woman whose career we wish to emulate, or a campaigner whose message rings clear, or just someone who inspires us on a day-to-day basis. And here at Stylist, there is one woman who is collectively inspiring us more and more: Poorna Bell, who is the very worthy winner of our first ever Rising Star award.

A hugely popular journalist and writer, Bell works tirelessly to tackle the stigma surrounding male depression and suicide. While the Remarkable Women Awards aim to recognise women helping other women, it is Bell’s work uniting men and women in her mission that makes her so truly remarkable.

Taking to the stage to collect her award, Bell said: “What I’ve been trying to do in recent years is always write from a place of honesty. I write from a place of love and that’s why I also write about men – I lost the most important man in my life.”

“My work is about gender but also humanity and the act of seeing what someone else goes through,” she continued. “We all care about the same things, we care about being happy. These aren’t optional things, they’re fundamental to the core of who we are.

“I’m always reminded of the love of my late husband Rob. His legacy was to always give a voice to people.

“Thank you for this award, I will try to make you proud.” 

Bell has spent the last 15 years working as a journalist and digital editorial expert, and currently has a glittering freelance career writing for national and international publications, as well as speaking at various high-profile events. She has written numerous brilliant articles for Stylist and also starred in one of our most groundbreaking videos.

Bell’s debut non-fiction book, Chase The Rainbow, was published to critical acclaim in 2017, and fans can’t wait to get their hands on her second book, In Search of Silence, which is due to land on bookshelves in May.

And while we like to think that her Remarkable Women Award will hold a special place in her heart, Bell is no stranger to awards – in fact, she has been a judge herself for numerous awards including the Mind Media Awards and the Sony World Photography Awards.

Of course, we were also thrilled to have Edith Bowman on stage to present Bell with her award. Bowman is one of our most-loved presenters and DJs and if you haven’t given her excellent podcast, Soundtracking, a listen, we suggest clicking here and rectifying that immediately.

Congratulations once again to our brilliant Rising Star, Poorna Bell! 

philosophy is the wellbeing beauty brand inspiring you to look, live and feel your best and is the official partner of Stylist’s Remarkable Women Awards 2019. Shop the range now.

Images: Rex Features

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