became the first-ever recipients of the Women's Advisory Council's Crystal Awards at a special ceremony held yesterday.

The new awards have been established to recognise local individuals and institutions for their efforts to enhance the quality of life for the women of Bermuda -- at home, in the workplace or in the community.

Premier the Hon. Sir Sir John Swan handed over the crystal trophies prior to a luncheon for members of the Women's Advisory Council, dignitaries and the award recipients at Camden, his official residence.

The United Nations' International Women's Day, celebrated around the world on March 8 each year, was selected by the council as its annual awards day.

The Rape Crisis Centre, which evolved into the Women's Resource Centre, sprang from Ms Hayward's outrage over a court case which saw a sexual offender walk free.

Ms Hayward immediately wrote a letter to the Editor of The Royal Gazette inviting people who shared her anger to attend a meeting. Instead of the handful of people she was expecting, some 35 attended.

From that gathering, the Rape Crisis Centre was eventually born.

"It's gratifying to see the vision I had when I wrote that letter to The Royal Gazette has come into being,'' Ms Hayward said yesterday.

She thanked the general public for their years of support, as well as the untiring efforts of Women's Resource Centre officers and members.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board, represented by board chairman Mr. Robert Tucker, received its Crystal Award "for demonstrating women-friendly management''.

Half the Hospital Board's voting members and top executives are women, and their chief executive, Mrs. Shiela Manderson, is the first woman and the first Bermudian to hold the post.

Female hospital employees are also offered equal opportunity for improvement and advancement. Maternity benefits, in-house child care, employment assistance, fitness and weight-loss schemes are also offered.

Mr. Tucker said the hospitals facilities, which include a new protocol for dealing with victims of sexual assaults benefit all women.

CRYSTAL AWARDS -- The first ever recipients of the Women's Advisory Council's Crystal Awards received their trophies yesterday at a special International Women's Day luncheon at Camden. Pictured are Bermuda Hospitals Board chairman Mr. Robert Tucker, Women's Advisory Council chairman Mrs. Kim Young, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and Rape Crisis Centre founder Ms Sylvia Hayward.