The 2006 Midwife of the year, Vernesta Cyril was born in St Lucia but left in 1962 to follow a career in nursing and midwifery in the UK.

Her cousin’s severe postnatal depression prompted Vernesta to work to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers.

Over the course of 30 years, she delivered more than 2000 babies and was recognised for her service in 2006 when she won UK Midwife of the Year.

She has spent many years challenging discrimination and promoting racial equality which led her to become the founder of South East Wales Racial Equality Council (SEWREC). In 1999, she was awarded the OBE for her services within the community.

Vernesta is a patron of Black History Wales.