Meet some of Britain’s most inspiring women

To celebrate this year's Women of the Year Lunch and Awards - sponsored by Good Housekeeping - here's some advice from some of the 400 courageous and admirable women honoured at the 2010 event held at London's InterContinental Hotel on 11 October.

The Lunch, now in its 55^th year, was the original awards ceremony, and is one of the year's most high-profile occasions. It brings together women from more than 40 areas of achievement - from business and medicine to charity and the performing arts - to celebrate the formidable power of women today.

It's the eighth year that Good Housekeeping has sponsored the Outstanding Achievement Award. Former winners and attendees include  Tina Turner, Margaret Thatcher, Dame Vera Lynn and singer Katherine Jenkins, along with a host of other heroic unsung heroes.

And to mark the occasion, Good Housekeeping is looking for today's role models. We have prepared a list of the women who have featured the most on TV and in the newspapers over the past year. Are any of them a role model to you? Or does your role model not receive the exposure that they deserve?

Amanda Lubrani

Amanda Lubrani is one of the few female property developers in the country. Her major renovations include turning Prospect House, a previously dilapidated 1920s estate, into a £6.5 million 16-apartment bespoke development.

What's the best advice you've been given?

We are masters to 99% of our own destiny, if you want something you can make it happen and if you don't like it you can change it.

What advice would you offer to others?

Believe in yourself, be committed and tenacious, do everything to the very best of your ability, be careful and wise but skimp on nothing.

Olivia Giles

Olivia Giles founded the 500 Miles charity. Having lost her hands and feet from meningococcal septicaemia, she established the charity to supply prosthetic limbs to developing countries.

What's the best advice you've been given?

Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and you cry alone - from my Nana. 

What advice you would offer to others?

Pursue what you are passionate about. I think doors open when you're doing something you really believe in for the right reasons.

Imtaz Khaliq

Imtaz Khaliq is a bespoke tailor who was brought up in Bradford in a closed Muslim community. She persuaded her parents to let her study at Leeds University, and has gone on to set up a very successful tailoring business.

What's the best advice you've been given?

The best piece of advice I've been given is to enjoy what you are doing and don't look over your shoulder all the time to see what others are doing. Only you know what you are capable of and what you will gain satisfaction from. Keep focused!

What's advice you would offer to others?

I would give the above advice and add don't ever give up on your dream.  Do a little every day towards your goal and you will get to where you want to be. Even if it's not overnight it will still happen - it may take a little longer but you will feel like you have earned it.  Tailoring is a skill and craft and it's one that time makes you even better at. Enjoy!

It's been a bit of an uphill struggle for me to get the recognition because the industry is so male dominated but this is set to change with more women who have the skills and the confidence to move the barriers.  I teach to transfer the skills and let other people gain from such a pleasurable pastime as tailoring, which can benefit others in such a positive way - like making the perfect interview suit or wedding dress!

Emily Cummins

Emily Cummins is only 23 and is already a successful entrepreneur and sustainable designer. Winner of the 2009 Barclays Women of the Year Award, her solar-powered fridge is making a huge difference in developing countries. Throughout Africa she has become known as the 'The Fridge Lady' for her willingness to share her design for free to allow the locals to manufacture it themselves.

What's the best advice you've been given?

Be ready to reassess. It is rare that everything in life goes to plan and when something starts to deviate or you face challenges, you need to continue to be passionate and determined, keeping your aspirations alive. If you give up or become disheartened it is much harder to re-ignite your spark.

 What advice would you offer to others?

I believe you don't have to stand on other people's heads to get to where you want to be. For me, the people that I have met have been sources of inspiration and have enabled me to achieve more than I could ever imagine. Remember, what happens on the journey to achieving your ambitions is as important as reaching your ultimate goal. Savour and enjoy every moment. 

Sheila Windridge

Sheila Windridge founded the UK arm of Ugandan charity Edirisa. It works to improve the education services and living conditions for the Ugandan people. It currently supports a primary school, two nursery schools, a special needs school, water harvesting tanks and local craft production

What's the best advice you've been given?

There has been a lot of good advice given to me over the years depending on the circumstances but the advice given by my father during my formative years has stayed with me, one thing he always said was:

"Think before you act, speak or write and don't make hasty decisions - sleep on it"

What advice would you offer to others?

Don't be put off by problems and negative opinions of other people. Life is difficult, it's a series of problems and it's the way we deal with these problems and difficulties that we learn. Don't be put off by hard work - usually people who work nine to five don't achieve a great deal. Remember too life is all about choices - what you achieve in life is your choice.