SCOTSWOMAN of the year, the Evening Times event which celebrates the achievements of women from all walks of life, is celebrating its 50^th anniversary.

To mark the occasion – and to encourage everyone to get involved in our very own golden jubilee – we have launched an exhibition all about the awards dinner and the women who have taken the title over the last five decades.

Event sponsors St Enoch Centre have donated a shop unit in the upper mall (beside Mamas and Papas, just round the corner from Hamley’s) for the display, which tells the story of SWOTY with words and photographs from our archives.

The unit also provides shoppers and passers-by with the chance to nominate the woman they would like to see crowned 50^th Scotswoman of the Year.

FOR Knightswood mother and daughter Catrine and Jacqueline Kerr, it’s the unsung heroines who work behind the scenes to make life better for others.

For BBC Radio Scotland presenter Bryan Burnett, it’s Katherine Grainger, the inspirational Olympic rowing heroine.

For East Kilbride friends Anne Campbell and Jacqueline Gill, it’s doctors who go the extra mile for their patients.

Everyone has an idea who should be the Evening Times 50^th Scotswoman of the Year – and we want to hear your suggestions.

Nominations are now being taken for this year’s event, which takes place on February 7. You can nominate on this website or by emailing lyndsay.wilson@heraldandtimes.co.uk or by visiting the St Enoch Centre unit. For more information please call 0141 302 7407.

We want to hear about the women in your community who inspire, educate and entertain.  It could be your next door neighbour or someone in your family. It could be an unsung heroine from your local charity, a business leader, or even a famous face you feel deserves recognition for the work they do.

The 50^th Scotswoman of the Year could be anyone from a top flight businesswomen to a compassionate carer; from a scientist working on lifesaving breakthroughs to your local lollipop lady.

Susan Nicol, general manager of St Enoch Centre, is a member of the SWOTY judging panel and a longtime supporter of the event.  “We are delighted with the unit – this is a fascinating exhibition,” she says. “We hope as many people as possible will come in to have a look and make their nominations. We want to hear who has inspired them in 2012 – who is the Scotswoman of the year?”

Evening Times reader Catrine Kerr is a big fan of Scotswoman of the Year. She explains: “It is a great event because it honours the achievements of so many ordinary women doing extraordinary things. Looking around the exhibition, you realise just how many different women have been honoured by the Evening Times and it’s a fantastic celebration.”

BBC Radio Scotland presenter Bryan Burnett, who is a big supporter of the women’s 10k – an event the Evening Times has been media partner of in recent years – also praised the exhibition. “SWOTY is a great event, and it’s really interesting to read so much about previous winners,” he says. “I nominate Katherine Grainger, the Olympic gold medal-winning rower, not just because of her sporting achievements but because she is such a fantastic role model.”

Anne Campbell, a hospital clerical worker from East Kilbride, stopped by the unit with her friend Jacqueline Gill. “It’s really interesting to read about the early days of the event and see the black and white photographs,” she says. “Scotswoman of the Year has had some amazing winners over the years and it will be really interesting to see who picks up the 2012 title.”