For the first time in the event’s 56-year history, in addition to the main award we will also be crowning a Young Scotswoman of the Year.

This exciting new accolade, launched in Scotland’s Year of Young People, is open to girls and young women aged between 12 and 21.

The Young Scotswoman of the Year will be an inspirational individual who has already made a fantastic contribution to Scottish society by helping others, perhaps overcoming personal challenges along the way.

You can nominate your Young SWOTY by completing the online submission form, the form in the newspaper, or emailing by Friday, January 25, 2019.

A judging panel will draw up a shortlist which will then be open to a public vote #voteyoungswoty across our website and social media platforms.

The deadline for nominations for the main award, 2018 Scotswoman of the Year, is also January 25.

We want to hear who has impressed you over the last 12 months.

It could be a celebrity, or your next-door neighbour; a friend who has overcome personal heartache to help others, or a life-saving pioneer. Perhaps you know an unsung hero who deserves wider recognition, or someone at the helm of a social enterprise, who is using her business skills for good.

Perhaps your SWOTY is a local charity worker, going the extra mile for the benefit of her whole community, or a friend who has overcome obstacles in her own life to change things for the better for all?

Previous winners of the event, which is generously supported by St Enoch Centre, have changed laws and saved lives.

They have raised hundreds of thousands pounds for causes close to their heart and beaten injustice.

Above all, they have inspired others to make a difference.

Anne Ledgerwood, general manager of St. Enoch Centre, said: “SWOTY has become a recognised event in the city, celebrating Scotland’s inspirational women.

“St. Enoch Centre is proud to continue its support. It is incredibly rewarding to see the wonderful work women in Scotland are doing and we’re looking forward to seeing the entries for 2018 and celebrating their achievements.”

This year’s SWOTY gala dinner is on the move – to the gorgeous Principal Grand Central Hotel.

The 2018 winners will be crowned at the hotel in March next year, at a spectacular, invitation-only dinner for around 300 women from all walks of life.

Our 2018 winner will be following in the footsteps of some impressive women – such as last year’s title holder, Sally Magnusson, who founded Playlist for Life, the groundbreaking charity using music to help people with dementia; the 2016 winner Laura Young, who set up art therapy charity The Teapot Trust after the death of her daughter Verity; and Adele Patrick, 2015 champion, the driving force behind Glasgow Women’s Library.

Other previous winners have included Cara Henderson, who set up anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth following the death of her best friend; and Ann Moulds, who overcame a terrifying stalking ordeal to successfully change laws in Scotland, the UK and all over Europe.

We know there are many, many more women out there like Sally, Laura, Adele, Cara and Ann, from unsung charity heroines to brilliant business motivators; from famous faces to ordinary mothers and grandmothers doing extraordinary things.

Evening Times editor Donald Martin said: “The Evening Times is incredibly proud of SWOTY, which has been celebrating the incredible women of Scotland since 1963.

“Our previous winners, including the current incumbent Sally Magnusson, are fantastic and we are looking forward to hearing readers’ suggestions for who should hold the 2018 title.”

He added: “SWOTY is on the move for 2018, and we are delighted to be staging the event at Glasgow’s wonderful Principal Grand Central Hotel.

“We are proud to introduce our new award, Young Scotswoman of the Year, in what has been an incredible Year of Young People across the country.

“There are girls and young women already making a difference in their communities. Young SWOTY will allow us to celebrate their amazing achievements.”

HOW TO NOMINATE

Nominate your SWOTY or YoungSWOTY of 2018 by emailing swoty@eveningtimes.co.uk by the closing date of Friday, January 25, at 5pm.

The winner will be announced at a glittering, invitation-only gala dinner in March at the Principal Grand Central Hotel.

You can email swoty@eveningtimes.co.uk or place your nomination on the website https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/scotswoman-of-the-year-awards/

You can also use the form in today’s newspaper.

Call 0141 302 6019 for more information.