The Womens Institute in the UK have partnered with Sky TV to launch a competition to find the ultimate "W-Icon". "What's a W-Icon?", I hear you ask. Read more below:-"One WI member will be chosen from over 200,000 women to become the face of the WI on Sky Learning where she will use the skills the WI are famous for, by hosting a range of inspiring and useful How To guides to modern life. The guides will be hosted online and broadcast on Sky TV." ( quoted from the Women's Institute website )Amongst the finalists are two contestants from Wales including Valerie-Wood Gaiger, a member of this site. Valerie kindly provided us with some biographical details for inclusion in this post:-"Valerie Wood Gaiger MBEValerie has 7 grandchildren and became a great-grandmother in January 2007. Valerie researches and writes Grandmas Stories and is a co founder of Learn with Grandma. A not for profit company reg no. 05913133. The unique holistic educational programme which is incorporated in her work. The philosophy behind Learn with Grandma is to make learning memorable and fun. Without really intending it Valerie has become an expert on Intergenerational Learning!Valerie was awarded an MBE for her work with disabled people. She founded a Charity that helped recognize, throughout the U.K, the value of work for disabled people both financially and in fostering respect and self-respect. Since being made redundant from this work Valerie became aware how that work related to the separation of the generations and the problems that this was causing in society. She has, and is continually; seeking ways of fostering respect for older people and helping the younger and older parts of society learn from each other.Valerie Lives in a tiny village in The Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales. Her children, grandchildren & little great grandson live a long way away. This has lead to another interest - to exploring modern technology as a means of maintaining contact over great distances and as an educational tool. "We feel that Valerie would make an excellent icon for the Women's Institute and urge all eligible members to consider supporting her in the voting which will take place between Thursday and Sunday of this week. We will post further details and links as they become available.