the Evening Times event that celebrates the achievements of women from all walks of life, the Scotswoman Of The Year title, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

To mark the occasion – and to encourage everyone to get involved in our 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.

The event sponsor, St Enoch Centre, has 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 the Scotswoman Of The Year awards, 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 as our 50th winner.

So what ideas do people have of the Scotswoman Of The Year title?

l Knightswood mother and daughter Catrine and Jacqueline Kerr were among those who visited the exhibition and said it was the unsung heroines who work behind the scenes to make life better for others.

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

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

Everyone has an idea who should be the Evening Times 50th 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 by e-mailing lyndsay.wilson@heraldandtimes.co.uk or on our website at www.eveningtimesevents.com/scotswoman, or or by visiting the St Enoch Centre unit.

For more information 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 50th Scotswoman Of The Year could be anyone from a compassionate carer to a top businesswoman; 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 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?"

Catrine Kerr is a big fan of the award. She says: "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 is a fantastic celebration."

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.

"Scotswoman Of The Year is a great event and it is 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 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 and it will be interesting to see who picks up the 2012 title."

1963: BESSIE JOHNSTON

Our first winner worked tirelessly for the Glasgow branch of the British Red Cross for more than 50 years. She was a great supporter of many other charities.

1974: EDITH WHITE

A keen church worker, partially-sighted Edith ran free dancing lessons for children, transporting them from the gloomy back courts of 1930s Gorbals to a magical world of music.

1985: MARJORIE JACKSON

Marjorie became famous all over the world in her quest to adopt David, the facially-disfigured Peruvian boy. She cared for him through a series of complex operations, which were carried out by her surgeon husband Ian.

1999: DR ANNA MURPHY

Between 1972 and 1984, Dr Murphy established and developed Scotland's first renal unit at Yorkhill Hospital.