PROVIDING women with a voice is what pushed a Herefordshire resident to become the president of a national organisation.

Gwenda Nicholas from Tram Inn, by Allensmore, was made the president of the National Council of Women in October.

The 77-year-old has been a member for the last 15 years and vice president for the last six.

Mrs Nicholas said: "It is a privilege to take office. It has been absolutely mad since I took office at the end of our annual conference which was mid October.

"There have been so many exciting meetings and seminars I have been to since.

"It just shows the possibilities of what one can begin to work on."

She has twice met Nicky Morgan, the secretary of state for education and minister for women and equalities- the group wrote to her regarding one of its resolutions to campaign for equal pay for men and women.

The other three resolutions relate to thorium; equal representation in Parliamentary positions and private toilet facilities for women and girls across the globe.

Mrs Nicholas said: "There should be lockable toilets for women all over the world. Without it, girls are subjected to rape and sexual attack.

"At the same time it also means girls in many countries are unable to go to school for at least one week every month as they can't go when they have their period."

Once the resolutions are passed the group then lobby the relevant government department.

Mrs Nicholas said: "It is not party political. We work with whoever is in government.

"We don't have any religious or racial bias. We are working for all women and girls with the objective of improving the quality of life for everyone.

"We give a voice to women. We also really do investigate and research issues before we make any decisions or take action."

Next year is the 120th anniversary of the organisation.

The Hereford branch has 20 members and Mrs Nicholas can take forward local issues.

She has worked in London for the AA, taught in Iran and North Nigeria and ran an interior design business with her husband, Paul Kibble.

Mrs Nicholas said: "I want to take the organisation forward and generally do all I can to see we all continue to have a voice and that we achieve our objective."