WHO IS your Scotswoman of the Year?

As the Evening Times begins its search for Scotland’s most incredible female of 2017, we want to hear your nominations.

It could be your friend, your neighbour or colleague, or even your mum.

Perhaps she is a local charity worker, going the extra mile for the benefit of her whole community?

Maybe you know someone who has overcome obstacles in her own life to change things for the better for all of us?

Whether she is a celebrity you admire or a business leader inspiring a generation; a medical pioneer saving lives or a compassionate carer, we want to hear about the woman you think deserves our title.

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.

Our 2017 winner will be following in the footsteps of some impressive women - such as last year’s title holder, Laura Young, who founded the art therapy charity The Teapot Trust after the death of her daughter Verity.

Evening Times editor Graham Shields said: “It is always with great pride that the Evening Times launches its search for our Scotswoman of the Year.

“It gives us a chance to pay tribute to some of the incredible women across the country, who go the extra mile for the benefit of others.I’m looking forward to hearing our readers’ suggestions for who should hold the 2017 title.”

Many of the previous winners have come from Glasgo w and Anne Ledgerwood, general manager of our event partner St. Enoch Centre, said it was a fantastic way to honour the women of the city and beyond.

She explained: “We’re extremely proud of our association with Scotswoman of the Year and hearing about some of the inspirational women who have been nominated over the years has changed my perspective on the city and its women.

“Our centre is named after a strong woman from the city’s past – St Enoch, or Saint Teneu or The new, she had many names.

“Earlier this year we introduced the Your City, Your Words art installation to the food court. It was intended to capture the essence of Glasgow and its vernacular but also, it unintentionally celebrates the contribution of women to the city, which is lovely, as most of our shoppers are women.”

Anne adds: “Glasgow-based artist Jacki Parry created a version of her St Thaney, Mother of Glasgow etching which refers to St Enoch and we have a reproduction of her acclaimed Women in the City print which constructs a street map of Glasgow from the names of celebrated women associated with the city.

“Whenever I look at them, I think about who would be in my own list of ‘Mother Glasgows’ – the women who have made the city. It’s hard to pick my favourites but I have a few that stand out.”

SAINT ENOCH

Legend has it this pagan princess, who lived around the sixth or seventh century, was sentenced to death by her angry father King Lleuddun when he discovered she was pregnant. Hurled off a cliff, she miraculously survived and sailed across the Firth of Forth in a coracle, to land at Culross. Here she was given shelter at the community of Saint Serf, where she gave birth to her son, Kentigern. He was nicknamed Mungo, or the dear one, and went on to found the city of Glasgow on the banks of the Clyde.

MARGARET MACDONALD MACKINTOSH (1864-1933)

A highly talented artist who was instrumental in the evolution of the Glasgow Style, Margaret was married to designer and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and many of his best known designs were joint efforts.

MARGO MACDONALD (1943-2014)

Whether you agree with her politics or not, I think Margo deserves to be admired for her independent though and intellect, and her contribution to the assisted dying debate.

JEAN DONNACHIE AND NOREEN REAL

I have always admired Jean and Noreen – they won SWOTY the first year I got involved in the event, and every year I’m reminded of their fantastic efforts in persuading the Home Office to stop carrying out dawn raids on asylum seekers and their children in Glasgow.

ELAINE C SMITH

Elaine is technically from Lanarkshire, but her role as Mary Doll in Rab C Nesbitt made her Glasgow’s favourite housewife for a generation of comedy fans. Apart from being the ‘mother of entertainment’, she is never afraid to stand up for what she believes in and speak out on behalf of those less fortunate.

MARY BARBOUR (1875 – 1958)

Mary was a key player in battling rent increases imposed by Glasgow landlords during the First World War. She was imprisoned five times, and went on hunger strike three times, but continued to fight for women’s rights.

ISABELLA ELDER (1828-1905)

Isabella took over the running of her husband’s shipbuilding business after he died, and undertook a number of philanthropic projects in Glasgow including the creation of Elder Park.

MAGGIE MCIVER

The founder of the famous Barras market and the world renowned Barrowland ballroom started off as a barrow girl selling fresh fish and fruit. After renting stalls to others, she opened the market and legend has it she built the ballroom for a Christmas dance for the hawkers when their usual place was fully booked.

HOW TO NOMINATE

Nominate your woman of 2017 by emailing swoty@eveningtimes.co.uk by the closing date of Friday, December 8.

The winner will be announced at a glittering, invitation-only gala dinner in February, 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 http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/scotswoman-of-the-year-awards/

You can also use the form below.

Call 0141 302 7407 for more information.

SWOTY 2017 NOMINATION

Name of nominee ...............................................................................

Reason for nomination (please continue on separate sheets if necessary)...................................................................

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Your name .....................................................................................

Your telephone no .............................................................................

Your email address ............................................................................

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

For more information call 0141 302 7407.