Search is on for Scotswoman of the Year 2016

 

Nominations are pouring in for this year’s Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year contest so if you want to tell us about a potential winner, please do it now.

We would love to hear who you think deserves the prestigious title for 2016.

Perhaps you have been impressed by a politician or celebrity who has made an impact this year – or maybe you feel someone in your own community should triumph.

It could be your next-door neighbour, a local charity worker, or even your mum – whoever she is, tell us all about her before the closing date of December 9 and she could make it on to our final shortlist.

Anne Ledgerwood, general manager of our event partners St Enoch Centre, says she is proud to be backing SWOTY once more.

“It is an honour to support such a fantastic celebration of our country’s exceptional women who give so much without expecting anything in return,” she says.

“So many women have made an impact in 2016, both here in Scotland and around the world.

“In politics, for example, in America, Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential candidate, while Theresa May became the British Prime Minister, only the second woman to hold the position in history.

“In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, Kezia Dugdale and Ruth Davidson lead the SNP, Labour and Conservative parties respectively – three women, at the helm of the three main parties, which is an important and inspirational event.”

Anne explains she has also been impressed by Scottish sportswomen this year, including rower Katherine Grainger and judo star Stephanie Inglis.

“I think Katherine Grainger is fantastic – her silver medal triumph at the Rio Olympic Games this summer meant she became Britain’s most decorated female Olympic athlete and the first British woman to win medals at five successive games,” says Anne.

“Katherine, who is a previous Editor’s Award winner at SWOTY, is remarkable, Her longevity, her dedication and her perseverance are inspiring.”

Anne also paid tribute to Stephanie Inglis, the Commonwealth silver medal winning judo star who has battled back from a horrific motorcycle accident.

Stephanie was given a one percent chance of survival following the crash in Vietnam, which left her with a serious head injury, infections including pneumonia and septicaemia, deep vein thrombosis, and a tracheotomy which meant she was unable to talk to her family.

“Stephanie is incredible – after been given very slim chances of surviving following the accident, she has made astonishing progress and is now talking about getting back to her sport,” says Anne.

“Her story, from the way her friends and fans rallied to raise money to help her, to the sheer mental and physical effort she has put in to her recovery, is amazing. She is a powerful role model for all young people.”

Anne’s final heroines of 2016 are author JK Rowling and former Lord Advocate and Moira Fund patron Dame Elish Angiolini.

“JK Rowling is incredibly famous, of course, and will forever be associated with Harry Potter, but she is a woman who despite the attention and fame has stayed true to herself,” says Anne.

“She uses her high profile for good – her charity work is inspiring, and her sense of humanity is incredibly strong. I love her Twitter feed because she manages to stay connected to the real world. She understands what is important.”

Dame Elish Angiolini led the prosecution at the 19-day trial of Moira Jones’s killer in Glasgow in 2009.

Since then she has become patron of the Moira Fund, alongside Scottish comedian and actress Elaine C Smith, and this year, she ran the annual 5k in Moira’s memory in Queen’s Park.

Anne adds: “Dame Elish is another former Editor’s Award recipient at SWOTY and what impresses me about her is that despite reaching the top of her profession, she too remains firmly grounded in the real world.

“Her ongoing support of the Moira Fund, for whom she completed the fundraising walk, was very touching.”

Nominate your woman of 2016 by the closing date of Friday, December 9.

The winner will be announced at a glittering, invitation-only gala dinner on February 23, hosted by Glasgow City Council in the spectacular surroundings of the City Chambers.

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 below and send it to Lyndsay Wilson, marketing and events, Herald and Times Group, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G2 3QB.

Call 0141 302 7407 for more information.