Dorothy Senior - September winner
Dorothy Senior arrived in England from Jamaica in 1961 and moved to Coventry a year later. She worked at the GEC for 20 years before getting a job in the Education Department at the Council in 1986 until her retirement in 2003.
Dorothy's volunteering spirit is really something to be admired. She has been involved in many organisations and events in Hillfields for over 25 years - being a founder member of WATCH aka - Working Actively to Change Hillfields - and the Police Liaison Group. She has been a driving force in the Hillfields Environmental Group, Health Action Group, Hillfields Core Working Group and is also a governor at Hillfields Children's Centre.
She has been recognised for her community work by the High Commissioner of Jamaica (2000), the Coventry Telegraph (2001) and the Home Office (2005).
She attends as many events as she can - being there at the opening of the Sidney Stringer Academy and the City of Coventry Health Centre. Dorothy will man stalls and put a shift in when Hillfields puts on its Summer Fair in Primrose Hill Park or its Christmas celebrations in the village square.
Dorothy is well known for her dedication, her tireless hard work, her public spirit and easy-going nature. She will always take time to support anybody - no matter where they come from. Dorothy is incredibly proud of Hillfields and its people and has seen so many changes over the 50 years she has lived in the area. Even when times were tough she did not give up on wanting to help improve the area. She even gave up her home to make way for the new City College now on the site of her old flat!
She always has a kind word for those that need it and is not afraid to offer advice and constructive criticism, particularly to her local councillors where it will help move things forward!
To many people Dorothy really is 'Lady Hillfields.' She can now also add the well-deserved accolade of Coventry Good Citizen!