WHO IS your woman of the year?

We want to hear who you think should win the Glasgow Times 2021 Scotswoman of the Year title.

Who has impressed, inspired or entertained you over the last 12 months?

Nominations are also open for the 2021 Young Scotswoman of the Year award – which is open to girls and young women aged between 12 and 21.

You can nominate on our website here - newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/swoty/ - or by emailing ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk or by writing to Kirsty Loughlin, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG. Remember to include your name and telephone number.

Glasgow Times: Professor Jill Belch

It is free to nominate and the closing date is February 25 at 12 noon.

A judging panel will draw up shortlists for both awards. The winner of Young SWOTY will be decided by public vote.

Ongoing challenges surrounding Covid and restrictions mean there will not be a gala dinner this year. The winners will be announced virtually in March.

Last year’s winner of the main award was Professor Jill Belch, the inspirational driving force behind a lifesaving campaign to get PPE to health workers during the pandemic.

Jill, who is a Professor in Vascular Medicine at Dundee University responsible for groundbreaking and lifesaving research, set up Masks for Scotland in March 2020, raising almost £500,000 and delivering one million pieces of PPE around the country to workers on the frontline of the fight against Covid-19.

She is now campaigning for more action against air pollution.

Jill said: “It has been a delight being SWOTY, but more than that, I absolutely believe it has given me influence I did not have before.

“In my research into air pollution, for example, I have had access to people I just don’t think would have listened to me before SWOTY.

Writer and campaigner Amanda Amaeshi was crowned Young SWOTY 2020 after winning the public vote.

One of only 18 Girlguiding Youth Advocates across the UK, the teenager – who is an awardwinning writer - inspired her peers and many across the country by speaking up on issues that matter to young women, including gender bias, racism and injustice.

Amanda said: “I am really grateful to the Glasgow Times, and to everyone who took time to vote in the public vote, and to everyone at Girlguiding Scotland for their support. Being the Glasgow Times Young SWOTY gave me a platform to make my voice heard.”

Amanda was the third winner of Young SWOTY, following in the footsteps of Paralympic athlete Maria Lyle and environmental activist Holly Gillibrand.

READ MORE: Professor Jill Belch on how winning SWOTY helped her campaign

The first ever winner of SWOTY was Red Cross volunteer Bessie Johnston in 1963. Since then, we have marked the achievements of many women, from lifesavers to life changers, from business leaders to charity champions, artists to inventors.

Guest speakers have included future Prime Ministers, Scotland’s top entertainers and even royalty - HRH Princess Anne, the Princess Royal attended our silver jubilee.