“I just want to say I’m overwhelmed — and it’s very hard to get there — and I’m truly grateful, and I’m letting the light out (I learned that today). So, to all the little girls out there that have a dream, big girls, small girls, age doesn’t matter. This is my dream… so dream on, because it’s all possible.” — Chef Jacqui TysonNaphtali Junior

“Today has been an amazing day, and I really want to say thank you to Plié For the Arts, and in particular, the tiny force of nature that we’ve all been talking about. Sometimes we meet people in our lives, and they make you feel kinda ‘wutliss’, like ‘I’m only working 12 hours a day, shouldn’t I be working 14, or 16?’ Marisa is definitely one of those people. She inspires you, she makes you want to be better, and she definitely makes you want to jump on all of the causes she’s a part of. But this is a special, special award. The group of women that are being honoured today, I admire every single one of them in very, very special ways. So thank you Marisa, thank you to Plié For The Arts, thank you to my family and my team who made this possible.” — Heather GoldsonNaphtali Junior

“Thank you for this award, I really do appreciate it, And congratulations to my fellow awardees, you did a wonderful job. Awesome women, one love!” — Joy SpenceNaphtali Junior

“Thank you all. I’m particularly thankful to Marisa. Most importantly, thank you for being the type of person that never accepts no, because so many amazing things have come from that. It is an honour to be recognised among these amazing women at the table. I feel totally unworthy, so thank you.” — Lisa Lake Epstein Naphtali Junior

“Thank you, especially to Marisa and her team for thinking of me. You just go through the motions every day and you don’t realise that the world is watching. So, I pray for the strength to keep going throught the motions. And I feel truly honoured to be named among you wonderful women at the table. Honoured and humbled. God bless you all.” — Dr Hilary Brown Naphtali Junior