IT'S always one of the most moving and inspirational nights in Glasgow's calendar and this year, the 46th Scotswoman of the Year awards ceremony will be no exception.

The awards are held in the sumptuous surroundings of Glasgow City Chambers' Banqueting Hall, attended by celebrities as well as women form all walks of life.

There are tears and laughter and stories of hard work and self-sacrifice to make you proud to be a Scotswoman.

And you can be part of this year's glittering event, which will be held on January 21, 2009.

Most of the guest list is invitation only, but a limited number of tickets are available to purchase.

The awards, sponsored by St Enoch Centre, will honour Scotswomen whose exceptional qualities and achievements are worthy of recognition.

Susan Nicol, general manager of St Enoch Centre says: "Our own company ethos is focused on playing an active role in the community in which we operate and on maximising our contribution to Glasgow and Scotland.

"Our involvement with the Scotswoman of the Year Awards is very much in line with that strategy and is something we are delighted to be part of."

And she added: Susan Nicol, General Manager of St. Enoch Centre, said: "I'm delighted that we are once again supporting the Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year awards.

"These awards generate a huge amount of interest and are clearly regarded with a great deal of affection by the people of Scotland.

"One of the main reasons for that is that the Scotswoman of the Year promotes pride in the community by giving recognition to people who really deserve our admiration.

"Playing an active part in the local community is something which we at St. Enoch's see as a vital element of our own business and is at the heart of our current redevelopment programme.

"In my view it is extremely important that we provide our young people with good role models and the achievements of previous award winners have been both exceptional and inspirational and will undoubtedly encourage other young women to follow in their footsteps.

"What particularly impresses me is the fact that so many of the nominees have worked extremely hard to achieve success in their own careers but also use their talent, expertise and experience to benefit others in our community."

We are still looking for nominations for this year's awards, which recognise the strength of women, their achievements and the ways they help others.

And we need your help.

Take a moment from the pre-Christmas rush to nominate the women you feel deserve this most prestigious of honours.

Last year, the main winner was Glasgow's former Lord Provost, Liz Cameron, a woman of astonishing energy who has done so much for her native city.

And for the first time last year - two new categories were introduced - Lesley Sawers, head of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, but at the time chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce won Scots Businesswoman of the Year, while Scots football captain Julie Fleeting, won Scots Sportswoman of the Year.

Looking back over the past few years, the awards have honoured some remarkable women.

In 2006, the winner was Professor Anna Dominiczak, the driving force behind the campaign to bring the British Heart Foundation's Cardiovascular Research Centre to Glasgow.

In 2005, Sandra Brown, who set up the Moira Anderson Foundation to help sexually abused children and their families, won the title.

And we can never forget the strength and courage of our 2004 winner Olivia Giles, who lost her hands and feet when she fell ill with meningococcal meningitis, but who has emerged determined to use her experiences to help others.

Our roll call of honour includes politicians and medical pioneers, charity workers and community champions. Every one of our Scotswomen of the Year have been heroines in their different fields and role models for the rest of us.

Tell us about those you know who inspire you and others with their courage and strength; women who fight for what they believe in.

Perhaps our main winner this year will be someone who has suffered but who has put aside her pain to help others.

The Scots Businesswoman of the Year will have achieved outstanding success in any business environment, helped other companies attain it, and have overcome significant hurdles in reaching her goals.

The Sportswoman of the Year will have earned, or helped others earn, success in any sporting environment, aided other people achieve success, or overcome significant hurdles in achieving her goals.

She will also have helped promote Scottish sport and healthy living through her accomplishments. Book your place at the Scotswoman of the Year dinner at £35 per person, or £350 for a table of 10, including a drinks reception, three-course meal, the awards ceremony, musical entertainment and a keynote speech, by ringing 0141 302 7407.

You can send us your nomination online at www.eveningtimes.co.uk pick up a nomination entry form at the pop-up stand in the St Enoch Centre, or fill in the form on this page.