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Case Study: Miriam Parker MBE

Miriam Parker was awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours list for services to farming. In a male-dominated field she has worked her way up from farm worker to highly respected industry figure. Miriam's mix of straight-talking and commitment to her industry and the people in it saw her nominated by her peers.

'When I went to university I was one of five girls in a class of 55 blokes. At that time you went into agriculture at university to marry a farmer - not to make a career out of it.'

'Even now the industry is made up mainly of men. And it may seem sometimes like you're getting a pat on the head from some people - you know, 'there, there love'.'

'Now I couldn't give two hoots, I go in there and know I don't have to prove myself. People might challenge you a little more because you're different, but I don't try to beat the boys at their own game. I do what I do in the way I want to do it.'

When the nomination arrived...

'When the nomination arrived it came as a complete shock for more reasons than one. I was working in India as a technical consultant for the Farm Animal Welfare Council. It was a big project to better conditions in slaughterhouses for their leather industry.'

'I received a text from my partner Tim while I was leading a cow around a dusty yard. When he said that I had a letter labelled 'On Her Majesty's Service', I told him that he'd better open it. A text followed saying that I'd been nominated for an MBE. Looking at the cow and my surroundings I said to myself, 'This is a joke.''

'I just didn't think I was the type of person to be nominated for an award like this. I do what I do because I enjoy it. I'm a practical person who wouldn't dream of being known as a Member of the Order of the British Empire .'

'You see, a lot of the people I work with are doers. They don't sit around at a desk all day. To get a nomination from these people is incredible. I know that if I've been nominated by them, I've been judged on what I do rather than what I say.'

Why nominate?

'When I think of why I was nominated, if I'm brutally honest, I think it's because of two reasons. The first is, I commit to the work I do. If I'm asked to do something, I give it my all. I don't just sit on a committee for a day out. I contribute. I give my honest opinion. I really do try to help the people I'm working for.'

'The second reason is that I'm outspoken. If a project's faltering or a committee's dithering I pull people in line. I ask them to think about the people we're trying to help rather than small points of policy. In lambing time you don't have time to falter, read the Farming Times, or even think! You have to act.'

What the nomination means

'In a male-dominated industry the nomination should hopefully further the profile of women in farming. I'm in a real minority in my industry. I can't think of another woman - off the top of my head - in the industry who's got an award.'

'I also hope that the nomination helps my community. Where I live in Shropshire might be someone's idea of the backend of nowhere. Raising our community's profile and getting others like me on committees and advisory boards is what's needed.'

'And Tim thinks this is wonderful. We're fairly new to this area. One of the local farmers came up to us and said, 'There can't be too many Miriam Jane Parkers in our area who've got an MBE! Well done!' When I came back from the supermarket I saw that I had a letter from the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire. It was addressed to Miriam Jane Parker MBE.'

'Everyone has been on the phone or has written to me. It's really strange to get rewarded for something you enjoy in itself. To be a woman in a male-dominated world and to get recognition from my peers for doing the work that I love makes me incredibly proud.'