The awards were held in association with The Female Tribe and 1st for Women Insurance Brokers.
Nominations had been streaming in since August 2008, but ultimately, 27 finalists from across the country, and across the six categories, shared in the celebration and the six winners of each category were announced on the evening.
The winners were:
Career Woman: Noelene Kotschan, MD of Sho-Sho-Lo-Za Marketing.
Community Woman: Eleanor Williams, recognised for the amazing community work she does with the youth in the Cape Flats.
Courageous Woman: Jes Foord, who as a survivor of a gang rape a year ago in Assegai, has turned it into something positive by starting an organisation called POWAR - Protect Our Women Against Rape.
Entrepreneurial Woman: Louise van Rhyn who runs Symphonia Consulting with a mission to symphonise voices across the globe.
Inspirational Woman: Elizabeth Kaperamera for her work with children as the owner of Lambino Day Care centre.
Woman's Woman: Kate Emmerson, who as a professional life coach has transformed both her own life and helps other women transform theirs.
The panel of judges included the MD of 1st for Women, Robyn Farrell, 1st for Women's GM, Liesl Viljoen, Bharti Harie, head of the International Financial Department of the IDC, Teba Bank's legal advisor, Andiswa Ndoni, seasoned journalist and media consultant, Janine Lazarus and Ingrid Ovenstone, regional director of Amanani.
MC's Tanya Ploner (CNBC Africa), Thuli Zulu (SABC 3) and Masechaba Lekalake (SABC 1) handled the proceedings.
The Voice of Women Legacy Library (a special book that captures the voices and wisdom of women for the next generation) was ceremoniously opened with live entries from individuals such as Jenna Clifford (doyenne of the jewellery industry), Jen Su (5 FM and Summit TV), Basetsana Kumalo (Business Women's Association), Koo Govender (M-NET), Zai Khan (Radio 2000) among others.
