EVERY year the Hunter's bravest and most passionate women are recognised through the Steel Magnolia Award.
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This year's award recognises four deserving women who dedicate time and passion into helping others despite the challenges they have faced.
The Star sat down with the two women from Newcastle who have been nominated - Emma Thomson, from Merewether, and Moira McCabe, from Hamilton.
Emma Thomson, Merewether
EMMA Thomson has come a long way since her teenage years, where she suffered from severe depression and anxiety.
Ms Thomson also experienced postnatal depression after the birth of two of her three children.
Realising the benefits regular exercise played in her recovery from mental illness, she founded Mums Empowered in 2011, a health and exercise studio that encourages women through motherhood.
The focus at the studio is on nutrition, regular exercise (including improved pelvic and core strength), and improving mental health, rather than the "perfect" post-birth women's bodies portrayed in mainstream media.
She's also an ambassador for PANDA - the Post and Antenatal Depression Association, advocating for mental health awareness.
Moira McCabe, Hamilton
THE SIDS For Kids Hunter Region headquarters at Hamilton has become a second home for Moira McCabe.
A career change late in life led her to be a bereavement counsellor, helping families deal with a miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or a death years after a child is born.
As just one of four staff working at the centre, Ms McCabe is on-call for the 24-hour crisis support line, as well carrying out her daily duties in helping out families with their loss.
One of her most sensitive duties is helping families make hand and foot casts of their loved one, after the baby has passed away.
■ The Steel Magnolia Award will be held on this Friday, March 27 at the West Leagues Club, New Lambton from 6.30pm. Funds raised on the night will help support the Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter. Tickets are available from lifelinehunter.org.au.