Women's rights activist Penny Dill has been voted Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women's Association of Bermuda.

Ms Dill has been involved with the Women's Resource Centre for a decade, and it was for her work with this charitable organisation that won her the award.

Cynthia Thomas, president of the BPWA, said: "Penny has been a shining example to all women in Bermuda. I am glad to announce she is Woman of the Year.'' Ms Dill joined the Women's Resource Centre in 1991 as a hotline counsellor.

She took a ten-week Crisis Intervention Course, and has never looked back.

"She took the course because she saw the sexual assaults reports while working for the Police Service,'' a spokesperson for the BPWA said.

"From taking the course Penny then became a counsellor for the hotline, from that funding chair, vice chair and is now chair, a post she has held for three years.'' Ms Dill is also director of Crime Stoppers, board member of Bermuda Riding for the Disabled and was asked this year to serve on the Human Rights Commission.

Before taking on the role at the Resource Centre, Ms Dill worked as secretary to the current Commissioner of Police, in the Supreme Court and now works as an executive assistant at XL Capital Ltd.

Ms Dill has pushed for several changes in Police and legal procedures dealing with women and children in the community.

In 1997 she proposed the Police implement the Victim Support Scheme, a programme operating in Canada that gives assistance to the victims of violent crimes.

She has also worked on the task force on domestic violence and lobbied for changes to the legislation successfully.

Ms Dill is also an advocate for mandatory sentencing for repeat sex offenders and disclosure of the names of sex offenders being released from prison.

During the past year she started lobbying for changes to the way victims had to identify their attackers with an identification parade.

Mrs. Sharon Apopa of the Women's Resource Centre said in support of the award: "We at the Women's Resource Centre are very grateful for the ten years of service that Mrs. Dill has given us.

"We celebrate her commitment, dedication and the sacrifices she has made to advance the cause of women in our community. It is with great pride and pleasure that we support her nomination for this award.'' Ms Dill is also the mother of three girls, Patricia, 27, Colleen, 22, and Allison, 19.

Woman of the Year: Penny Dill