Gulnaz Brennan: Daily Mail's Inspirational Women Award winner

It was the realisation that many of her friends let their partners control their finances that lit the feminist fire in Gulnaz Brennan, a 54-year-old former teacher from Bolton.'One couldn't afford to do the supermarket shop because her ex had run up debts on her credit card,' recalls Gulnaz.'Another discovered after her relationship broke down that her ex had taken a loan out in her name. Saddled with his debt, she faced losing her home. It was heartbreaking.'That's when it hit Gulnaz: the key to female empowerment is financial independence.