Celebrating achievements, encourage others to venture and raising awareness of discrimination

The three women who hold some of the top roles in Cyngor Gwynedd have joined forces with people and communities around the world to celebrate the contribution and success of women.  

In the week of International Women's Day, and as it’s also Women’s History Month, Cyngor Gwynedd has noted that the organisation is in a very different position to many others, with the Leader, Deputy Leader and Leader of the Opposition all women. 

The three – Councillors Nia Jeffreys, Menna Trenholme and Angela Russell – came together to echo some of the messages of International Women's Day, which were to celebrate women's achievements, encourage others to venture and raise awareness of discrimination. 

All three call for more women to go for it in different fields, drawing on their diverse life experiences to try and inspire others. 

Councillor Nia Jeffreys 

Elected to Cyngor Gwynedd to represent the Porthmadog East ward in 2017; in November 2024, she made history by becoming the first female Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd. 

Councillor Nia Jeffreys said: “The theme of this year's International Women's Day is "Give to Gain", which encourages support, mentoring, resource sharing and raising a voice for women as a way of creating a more equal society.  

“During this past year at Cyngor Gwynedd, we have appointed a woman as one of our Corporate Directors and a woman as Head of one of our largest Departments, the Adults, Health and Well-being Department. In addition, several women within the Council have been promoted to senior positions including Assistant Heads and Service Managers, many of whom have been through the Council's Women in Leadership developmental programme.  

“I would also like to pay tribute to my fellow female Cabinet Members, Llio and June, and Menna who is Deputy Leader of the Council, as well as the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Angela Russell. Thank you to my female colleagues for their dedication, contribution and friendship.”

Councillor Angela Russell 

Elected to represent the Llanbedrog ward in 2012 (now the Llanbedrog and Mynytho ward), Councillor Angela Russell is a businesswoman, mother of two and grandmother of four.  

She said: 

“I started on the Community Council, they were looking for new blood and they persuaded me to become a member. I was on the Community Council for a total of 18 years.  

“People were nagging me to try for the County Council. I thought it would be a good experience but I never thought I'd get in. I felt like a bull in a china shop when I first arrived at the Council, and thought I'd be able to change everything. I've enjoyed every moment of being a councillor, I enjoy a challenge. I can't say how much I've enjoyed my time on the Council, this is the best time of my life.    

“A lot has changed in terms of women's situations. When I started and looked at the Top Table in the chamber, it was pale, male and stale. But it's brilliant to see so many more women. I strongly believe that the best person for the job is what's needed but I also think that everyone has something to contribute. It's good to see more women succeed – what's needed is more of a mix, we can’t have everyone being the same.   

“I would suggest to everyone who is interested to stand as a councillor – when I talk to the children, I tell them not to be afraid to try things. Everyone has something to contribute. Women can be shy but we need to push to get more women into the top jobs, and keep the momentum going.”  

Councillor Menna Trenholme

The deputy Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd, Councillor Menna Trenholme, has represented the Bontnewydd ward for four years and is a mother of two young children. Before being elected, she worked for an enterprise that supported unemployed people to find a job or access training.  

She said:  

“I had been on the community council but I had never thought about being a county councillor and someone from the village suggested I stand. 

“In my work, supporting people to get jobs, I enjoyed being able to make a difference to people's lives. But I had never thought of going into politics, especially because the children were small at the time, two and four years old.  

“Perhaps not everyone realises, but a Councillor can claim reimbursement of care costs and is also entitled to maternity pay. A fellow member told me to remember to apply for the help towards the costs of looking after my daughter who was going to nursery at the time. I remember him saying "the money is there for people like you". I think the help is vital, especially if we want more young people and people with children on the Council, to bring a different perspective to decisions. 

“As I have a young family, I'm able to do my job as a councillor around the kids. I get up early to do some work before taking them to school. 

“If there are evening meetings, that can be tricky for me. I remember when I started as a councillor, another experienced member told me "if you say 'yes' to one thing, you're saying 'no' to something else". That has stayed with me, if I say 'yes' to something in the evening I'm saying 'no' to having dinner with my family. 

“I think quite a few young people were elected last time and it's important that we hold on to them and use their experiences to encourage more young people to take an interest, especially now that young people are allowed to vote at 16, everyone needs to be more aware of what's going on.   

“I'd encourage more young women to think about different things – maybe doing public speaking or getting involved with something like the Young Farmers. It gives you confidence and a taste of how everyone is able to contribute to the community.”