Honouring Scottish Females

The First Minister has been inducted into the 'Outstanding Women of Scotland' list.

Nicola Sturgeon has been officially honoured alongside prominent female figures from the fields of science, law, politics and the arts.

A ceremony, hosted by Saltire Society Scotland, took place yesterday afternoon on International Women's Day.

Members of the public were invited to submit nominations for inclusion in the list during 2014 leading up to St Andrews Day on 30th November.  The key criterion for consideration was that those nominated should be living contemporary examples of Scottish women who have made a significant contribution to Scottish culture and society.
  
In total, ten women were inducted into the inaugural ‘Outstanding Women of Scotland’ list. It is intended that the ceremony should become an annual event, celebrating the achievements of Scottish women from all walks of life based on nominations from the general public.
 
Alongside Ms Sturgeon, this year’s other nine inductees are:

• Edinburgh Napier Professor of Creative Writing Bashabi Fraser
• Former MP, MEP and MSP Winnifred Ewing
• Poet and Novelist Jackie Kay MBE
• Songwriter Karine Polwart
• Former President, Industrial Tribunals (Scotland), Dr. Doris Littlejohn CBE
• Poet, dramatist and Scotland’s Makar Liz Lochhead
• Singer and writer Anne Lorne Gillies
• Former Advocate General of Scotland Elish Angiolini DBE
• Strathclyde University Engineering Professor Rebecca Lunn

 
Each of the inductees was presented with a limited edition print from up and coming printmaker Jessica Copsey and has been invited to become part of the ongoing Saltire Celebrates programme.
 
As part of the Outstanding Women of Scotland 2015 campaign, the Society has produced a pamphlet similar to those featured in its popular Saltire Series containing biographies and a personal note from each of the inductees outlining who  inspired them in their lives and careers. The pamphlet is available online at saltiresociety.org.uk
 
The late Professor Ailsa McKay, a leading feminist economist who died in 2014, also received a special mention at the event. Professor McKay was the overwhelming winner of a special Twitter poll seeking nominations to the Outstanding Women of Scotland list organised by the Saltire Society last year.
 
Commenting on the ceremony, Saltire Society Council member Susan Garnsworthy said: “The Saltire Society exists to promote and celebrate Scottish culture and heritage and over the centuries, the contribution of Scotland’s women to the cultural life of this country has been truly remarkable. In so many walks of life, it is as often the women of this country who have carried the torch for Scotland on a global stage as their male counterparts.
 
“It is incredibly fitting that we include the First Minister as one of the inaugural inductees as she is a shining example not only of an outstanding woman of Scotland, but also a woman who ‘made it happen’ by becoming the first female First Minister for Scotland.
 
“All ten of this year’s inductees have contributed something truly special to Scotland’s culture and heritage and I am delighted that we have been able to honour their many and varied achievements to date. We also felt it was important to pay special tribute to Professor Ailsa McKay for the incredible contribution she made throughout her life both as a well-respected economist and as a leading equality campaigner.”
 
Poet, dramatist and Scotland’s Makar Liz Lochhead added: “I am surprised and honoured to be nominated as an Outstanding Woman, and very much wish I could be at the event. I am very glad that the Saltire Society wants to acknowledge the huge contribution to arts, culture and life in Scotland made by those people amongst whom I am Out and Loud and Proud and self- identify myself with as 'similarly gendered'!
 
“I look forward to a time when it will go without saying that both men and women have equal prominence in all areas and such special recognitions will be unnecessary.”

Professor Rebecca Lunn, Head of the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, said: “I am extremely flattered to be part of such an incredible list. Historically, Scotland’s engineers have had a major impact on the global economy and have helped to shape Scotland’s cultural heritage. I encounter young, talented engineering students on a daily basis at the University of Strathclyde who give every indication that this level of international influence is set to continue. A growing number of Scotland’s inspirational young engineers are women. Inducting a woman engineer into the list of ‘Outstanding Women in Scotland’ recognises the fact that women have a vitally important role to play in the science and engineering future of the nation.”
 
Adele Patrick, Lifelong Learning and Creative Development Manager of the Glasgow Women’s Library said: “We are delighted once again to have been able to partner up with the Saltire Society to celebrate International Women’s Day. The Outstanding Women of Scotland initiative is a great way to celebrate women’s unique contribution to Scottish society. Hopefully it will continue for many years to come.”