This year’s winner will be following in the footsteps of some remarkable women, including last year’s title holder Adele Patrick, formidable founder of nationally recognised museum Glasgow Women’s Library.
There are many more women like Adele out there, and we want to hear about them.
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.
Nominations are already coming in thick and fast – so if you know someone who deserves to take the title, make sure you don’t miss out on the chance to tell us all about her.
The closing date for nominations is December 9 and the event, supported by our partners St Enoch Centre, takes place in Glasgow City Chambers on Thursday, February 23, 2016.
To inspire you, here are some women who have made a powerful impact on the lives of those around them – could any one of them be a contender for this year’s crown?
Ahlam Souidi
Ahlam Souidi, who came to Glasgow as a refugee from Algeria 14 years ago, helps to run the Uniting Nations in Scotland (UNIS) group, which is supporting refugees. Ahlam, who works for the Maryhill Integration Network and is one of the group’s founders, says she wants to “empower members”.
She says: “I was in their shoes in the past. I understand what it is like being in another country where you don’t know the language.”
Laura Young
The founder of the East Lothian-based charity, the Teapot Trust recently received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her services to chronically ill children in Scotland. Laura and husband John Young founded the Teapot Trust in 2010 after seeing the gaps in the care of their daughter Verity, who suffered from Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) and also cancer before her tragic death, aged just eight, in 2009.
The Teapot Trust now provides hospital-based art therapy to children with chronic illnesses in seven Scottish towns and cities, including Glasgow, plus Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
Laura says: “Art therapy is a powerful tool and makes a huge difference to the lives of chronically ill children.”
Katie Archibald
The 22-year-old from Milngavie has enjoyed a stratospheric rise through the world of cycling since she shelved her university plans and ditched a call centre job three years ago.
Since then, she has become a world and eight-times European champion, won bronze in the points race at Glasgow 2014’s Commonwealth Games and claimed a clutch of British and Scottish titles. In August, she won Olympic team pursuit gold alongside Laura Kenny (nee Trott), Joanna Rowsell-Shand and Elinor Barker.
Her quirky, whip-smart attitude to life in general has won her legions of fans and transformed her into an excellent role model for girls and young women. Her tenacity and determination is evident – last week she got back on her bike after a serious crash (in which she broke her wrist) to win Madison gold for GB at the Track World Cup in Glasgow.
Michaela Foster Marsh
Michaela has been fundraising for the last five years to build a school in Uganda, in memory of her beloved adopted brother Frankie.
Frankie, who was adopted at 13 months old, died tragically in a house fire at the age of 26 when a power failure started a blaze on Govanhill’s Allison Street.
His sister has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to build the school, which focuses on the arts, through her charity Starchild.
She has held art auctions, charity nights and teamed up with local businesses and renowned Scottish artists to raise the cash to build the school in Uganda.
Prime Minister Theresa May has given Michaela a Point of Light award, which recognises people who are changing the world through volunteering.
In a personal letter to Michaela, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “In memory of your brother Frankie you have given hundreds of Ugandan families the opportunity to explore the creative arts. The ‘Starchild’ charity, you have founded is a wonderful tribute to his life”.
Michaela, 50, said: “We believe that every child deserves to be loved, cared for, fed and educated.
“Although working in Uganda is challenging, Starchild is a joy to do.”
Nominate your woman of 2016 by emailing swoty@eveningtimes.co.uk by the closing date of Friday, December 9.
The winner will be announced at a glittering, invitation-only gala dinner in February, hosted by the Evening Times 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.