The Inspiring Women Awards were founded in 1992 to raise funds for the research charity Tommy’s Campaign, which was also launched that year. Originally known as the North West Woman of Achievement Awards, the first Award lunch in 1993 was meant to be a one off. Two months after the lunch, a call from one of the attendees requesting a corporate table at the 1994 Awards Lunch, led us to celebrating 18 years in 2010.

The North West Woman of Achievement Award recognised the varied achievements of women in the North West. From Val Williamson in 1993, a supervisor at Norweb to Wendy Parry in 2000, a co-founder of the Peace Centre in Warrington, the Award winners represented women who went about their daily lives without realising the inspiring impact they made on others.

In 2000, the Awards were refreshed and in recognition of Manchester’s role in hosting the Commonwealth Games, they became the Winning Women Awards. Instead of one overall Award, they now recognised: Business; Community and Sport individually.

In 2005 Arts replaced Sports and in 2006 The Awards, became the Inspiring Women Awards. Public Sector was added and in keeping with the times, Social Entrepreneurs were recognised with their own category.

Tens of thousands of pounds has been raised for local charities: Birth of Hope Appeal (Tommy’s Campaign at St Mary’s Hospital); Francis House; Samaritans Appeal (The Christie); The Rainmakers Foundation; Styal Women’s Prison Project (The Prince’s Trust) and The Skin Camouflage project in Oldham (British Red Cross).

In 2010 and celebrating 18 years of these Awards, The Inspiring Young Women Foundation has been set up to recognise the inspiring young women of today and to inspire those young women of tomorrow. Click here for details

Evolving, inspiring, motivating and recognising in 18 years the nominations have never run dry and I look forward to the next 18 years.