"Hey, we're Women of the Year, too!"
Every year at the GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards, in association with Next, we celebrate the women you vote for who have shone in their field – be it film, television, sport, business, literature, theatre, music and more. It is, at its heart, an unapologetically glamorous event (funny that), honouring the leading lights on a world stage.
But we also know that there are many, many ways to be strong, brilliant and inspiring – in other words, there are countless ways in which to be a woman of the year in our own worlds, and to make a difference to both those around us and to ourselves. We had a wonderful time gathering your stories. Here are just a few of them.
I hope you will take the time to celebrate the women of the year in your life – including yourself!
Silvia OlsenErica, 40, fashion blogger
"Moving away from London was daunting - making friends is harder as we get older - but I couldn't be happier with my new home and gang."
Silvia OlsenVerity, 29, PhD student
"Volunteering for the Royal Voluntary Service for elderly people has made me realise that one person can have a positive impact, and make others happy."
Silvia OlsenZoe, 35, executive assitant
"I'm in remission from agonising rheumatoid arthritis and don't need chemotherapy meds any more. It was a lower dose than it is for cancer, but it still wiped me out."
Silvia OlsenEni, 23, journalism intern
"Being there for friends is my priority. I recently had to talk one through a panic attack on the phone - I'm so pleased I called when I did."
Silvia OlsenRita (left), 48, and Doris (right), 50, both retail assistants
"Juggling motherhood and work is tough, but my baby girl, Timorah, and my other beautiful children, make it all worth it."
"We seriously needed a break so spent three months in Ghana, having adventures and visiting family. So restorative."
Silvia OlsenCat, 30, TV producer
"Talking about mental health used to terrify me, but being open about my anxiety with friends and family has been an invaluable coping strategy."
Silvia OlsenAlana, 30, lawyer
"I'm good at running and cycling, but I've had to learn to swim. I've trained around crazy working hours and I'm (kind of) ready for the race next month."
Silvia OlsenAmy, 21, philosophy student
"Negative headlines really affected me this year, so to do something positive I volunteered with a charity to help young people get unto uni and achieve their goals."
Silvia OlsenKristen (left), 21, and Maren (right), 23, both students
"Throughout school we both planned to go to the Norwegian University of Science & Technology, but were terrified we wouldn't get in together. We did - and we can't wait!"
Silvia OlsenFlorence, 27, art director
"After suffering with an eating disorder for ten years, I realised I had to listen to my friends and family, get professional help and learn to look after myself."
Silvia OlsenEloise, 33, radio producer
"I produce a radio breakfast show and have to be there before 6am to think of discussion topics. As I'm not a morning person, it's a big achievement!"
Silvia OlsenSyakina, 19, student
"I'm studying quantity surveying at Kingston University in London, and exams make me so nervous. But revising every day, evening and weekend has paid off!"
Silvia OlsenYuki, 25, jewellery designer
"Leaving my career as an economist was a risk, but I had to follow my passion for design. Nothing is more important than doing what you love."
Silvia OlsenAlice (left), 22, and Lily-Rose (right), 22, both fashion PR assistants
"I've wanted to work in fashion since I was little and I'm so proud of what I've achieved in a competitive industry."
"Yep - dream job for me, too! But my other pinch-me moment was graduating - the toughest thing I've done."
