Do you know a Cranbrook woman who works tirelessly for others? Let's be honest: who doesn't?!

Well, here is your chance to give hard-working women the recognition they deserve.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Woman of the Year award, handed out each year by the Cranbrook branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women.

"There are incredible people behind the scenes in this city," said Cathryn Henley.

Any woman in the East Kootenay is eligible for the award based on "her contributions to the education or advancement of women, and how she has inspired and enriched the lives around her by her endeavours."

Woman of the Year has been given out 31 times since its inception in 1984.

"We decided, let's bring some attention to the women who often work without any recognition at all," said Henley. "This is not a flighty thing - it's very serious."

Last year's recipient was retired school principal Sandy Zeznik. Sandy is a member of Cranbrook Rotary Club, a co-founder of the breast-cancer awareness group Abreast in the Rockies, first vice president of the Cranbrook Health Auxiliary, a member of Friends of the Library and is in the Key City Theatre executive.

"There are incredible people behind the scenes in this city," said Henley.

Those wishing to nominate a woman can go to www.cfuw-cranbrook.com/womanoftheyear to download a nomination form. Names will be accepted until noon on Monday, February 28th.

The winner will be announced the following day, and the award will be handed out on Monday, March 7th at 4 p.m. at the Manual Training School beside Cranbrook Public Library.