Award Categories

our award categories

Below are our Award Categories, chosen by our wonderful MWOTY Sponsors because they align with their organisational values:

Merseyside Woman of the Year 2026

Community Leader

Recognising the women at the helm of charities, CIOs and CIC’s who change communities for the better through visionary leadership. They make a substantial difference to the lives of others and work collaboratively to effect environmental shifts that create and maintain community cohesion and have a widespread impact on large numbers of people, bringing them together as one.

Business Leader

Appreciating the women who take a leap of faith and develop businesses that promote positive economic, environmental, and societal change. Those who demonstrate the character, experience, humility, wisdom, diligence, and discernment necessary to create trust and influence.

Entrepreneur

Identifying those women whose character and vision is instrumental to seizing an opportunity and driving it forward. Those who see the gaps, take the initiative, and build from the ground up. They are passionate about business and clearly demonstrate outstanding growth and innovation, equity, and diversity within their business.

Inspirational Women

Appreciating those women whose principles serve to inspire our next generation. Open minded and innovative, they stay calm and positive during tough times, find creative solutions, and are always determined to drive change for themselves and others.

Women of Courage

Recognising women who face personal or professional challenges head-on, step out of their comfort zones and push through fear and self-doubt to stand up for what is right and drive positive change. Women of Courage write their own story to encourage and empower those who follow them.

Social Impact

Acknowledging women who innovate, take action, and lead by example. They create opportunities and open doors for a wide and diverse range of women though activities, projects, programmes, or policymaking, which positively affects change, growth, sustainability and provides benefit for all.

Women Making A Difference

The “Women Making a Difference” award celebrates remarkable women who have profoundly influenced their communities or industries. Through their steadfast dedication, passion and commitment for positive change they serve as an inspiration to those around them. This accolade shines a light on those who spearhead transformative progress in driving meaningful advancements in fields such as social justice, sustainability, education, healthcare and beyond.

Women’s Group

Celebrating a collective of women who work together to create meaningful, positive change within their community, organisation, or sector. This category recognises groups who demonstrate collaboration, compassion and a shared commitment to empowering others, improving lives and strengthening Merseyside. Whether through advocacy, support services, education, creativity, or community action, these groups show what is possible when women unite with passion and purpose.

Arts, Culture & Media

Acknowledging outstanding women’s contribution and advances that have significantly impacted in the creative arts and arena. Those who raise the expectation levels and challenge the status quo to invoke change that raises the aspiration and ambition. The female who takes imaginative risks to opening doors to ensure that prospective opportunities includes diversity and equity at every level for all women.

Women in Professional Services

Recognising a woman who has shown outstanding expertise, leadership and impact within the sector. She consistently achieves excellence in her sector, whether it be law, finance, IT, human resources, consultancy, accountancy, marketing, architecture or other specialist services. She utilises her skills to elevate standards, makes valuable and meaningful contributions that supports other women to succeed and the wider Merseyside community to thrive.