To me if someone has got it, it means they are determined, honest, selfless, have plenty of integrity and they inspire others.

I met a woman of substance in the hairdresser's the other day. She was called Veronica and has devoted the last years 11 of her life to single handedly bringing up her son who is autistic and has other problems.

I've often seen the two of them out in local restaurants having a meal together and have been touched by their obvious strong bond.

The day I met Veronica she was on a high because she was going on her first date for six years. Her love of life was infectious (apparently she is like that all the time) and I couldn't stop thinking about her, so much so that I had to find out how the date went.

Turns out it was a huge success and the chap adores her. Which didn't surprise me really because Veronica strikes me as the sort of woman any man would be proud to have on his arm.

We all know women like Veronica. Ordinary ones we recognise for their extraordinary contributions, admirable qualities or achievements. Now the time has come for us to put pen to paper, because the search is on to find Britain's woman of substance.

A Women Of Substance Awards have been launched to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Barbara Taylor Bradford's debut book, published in 1979. The world famous novelist inspired them as the creator of the original woman of substance, Emma Harte, in her first bestselling novel.

The book is one of the top 10 bestselling novels of all time with more than 31 million copies sold. It has been published in over 40 languages and in 90 countries. I must have read it a thousand times and I'm sure plenty of other Calderdale women are fans of Barbara and the book.
It would be fair to say the book changed the lives of a lot of females.

Barbara told me it empowered a lot of us to believe in ourselves. "It gave them the confidence to overcome a lack of education or great adversity and triumph as a human being. It showed them with great ambition, discipline and stamina they could really succeed. I'm delighted that now, 30 years later, we are surrounded by real examples of women of substance and I feel it's about time we recognised and celebrated their achievements."

Barbara and her publishers HarperCollins have carried out research to explore females' views of what it takes to be a woman of substance in 2009. It reveals that WAGS, wannabees and women who kiss and tell are a massive turn off for ordinary Yorkshire women. Daughters of the rich and famous who have not personally earned their success, models and politicians are also seen by females as women with no substance.

Our most important role models are our mothers, grandmothers, friends and sisters. And the qualities we admire are: someone who fights for what is right; someone who has overcome personal barriers and hurdles to achieve success; someone who has risen to fame because of raw talent; someone who has worked hard to help others succeed and someone who remains true to her roots.

A Woman Of Substance Awards entry information can be found at www.awosawards.co.uk The closing date is July 21. Finalists and their guests will be invited to attend the award event personally hosted by Barbara – who used to work for our sister paper the Yorkshire Evening Post – in London in early September.

The overall winner will receive a luxury P&0 cruise for two people and two children, a full makeover with Debenhams, a £250 Debenhams gift card, and a copy of Barbara's lastest book, Breaking The Rules, due out on September 3.

There are plenty of women with substance in Calderdale, and It would be fantastic if a local woman won the award, so get nominating.