Toni Daniels was awarded the title of Woman 2000 at a prize-giving lunch held at Ascot's restaurant yesterday.

Ms Daniels was awarded a $1,500 travel voucher and a day of beauty, rest and relaxation at a spa.

The Woman 2000 promotion was initiated to celebrate local "women of the new millennium'' by recognising their achievements and providing tips and tools to reach a healthy balance in life.

Ms Daniels said she was "humbled by the nomination as well as being selected as the winner in the presence of so many other outstanding women''.

"We all do what we do without considering recognition,'' Ms Daniels continued, "but we all find our endeavours very fulfilling and we enjoy giving back to the community.'' When asked what she would do with the travel voucher, Ms Daniels laughed, explaining that she was a "consummate workaholic'' but said she would be "forced to take a break which is much needed and much appreciated''.

John Thomlinson, president and chief executive officer of the Bermuda General Agency Group of Companies who organised the event, said the final selection was made by a committee and members of the community who voted using a supplement in The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Thomlinson praised the participants as selfless.

Toni takes Woman 2000 title And he said the women had "contributed to a point beyond the norm and they were all high achievers in their own right''.

"Toni is a representative, a role model for young Bermudians,'' he continued.

"This award is a reminder to people working in isolation, outside recognition, that they are very much appreciated for their contributions to society.'' The contest began on January 24 and the twelve weekly winners who were eligible for the grand prize were Carolyn Armstrong, Clare Hatcher, Suzette Harvey, LeYoni Junos, Diane Kempe, Janet Kemp, Melita Landy, Cheryl-Ann Lister, Lisa Lister Currin, Gina Spence, Fern Wade and Ms Daniels.

Ms Daniels has contributed extensively to Bermudian society.

From 1996 to 1998 she served as the co-chair of the Bermuda Chapter of the Declining Amphibians Population Task Force which researched the decline of Bermuda's toads and whistling frogs.

In 1990 she became a member of the Women's Resource Centre and was the vice-chairperson in 1994, the chairperson in 1995 and from 1997 to 1999 was the coordinator of the crisis hot line programme.

Ms Daniels became the proud new co-owner of Down to Earth, a Hamilton health food store, in 1999.

The criteria upon which community members and the committee voted for Woman 2000 were that she must be a strong confident decision maker, a leader within her community, family and work and a self empowered and opinionated woman who was admired by those around her for being able to gracefully and successfully influence the world despite competing endeavours and responsibilities and obstacles.

Woman 2000 also had to radiate beauty from within through her attitude, be a loyal friend, deeply caring mother and/or loving companion and be forward thinking and dedicated to the evolution of herself and those around her.

Furthermore Woman 2000 must have achieved success despite the odds against her and not received extensive official public recognition for her achievements.