Scotland's ten most influential women unveiled, without Susan Boyle

They were given the accolade at the Action for Children Scotland Woman of Influence Awards, which celebrate women who have had a major impact on Scottish society.

Violinist Nicola Benedetti, runner Liz McColgan and Stagecoach co-founder Ann Gloag were also on the list of women recognised at the charity event, which raises funds to help disadvantaged children.

Normally only one woman is honoured each year, but this year ten have been recognised to mark the awards' tenth anniversary.

They were chosen by a panel of the charity's committee members for their long-term impact in Scotland. Among those missing from the list was recent phenomenon, singer Susan Boyle.

Hundreds of guests gathered in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow city centre for the ceremony yesterday, which was hosted by radio presenter Fred MacAulay.

The "Perfect 10" also includes actress Elaine C Smith and Dr Bridget McConnell, the chief executive of Culture and Sport Glasgow, and lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy QC.

Businesswoman Vera Weisfeld OBE and Candace Currie, Professor of Child and Adolescent Health at the University of Edinburgh were also honoured.

"I am thrilled to have been voted one of the 'Perfect 10'," said Smith. "Action for Children Scotland is an extremely worthwhile charity that makes a real difference to lots of children's lives.

"I have been lucky enough to attend a number of Woman of Influence lunches over the past ten years and they have always been fantastic events – loads of fun and hugely successful in raising a ton of cash for the charity."

A final award, the Action for Children Scotland Community Award, was presented to a young person who has been helped by the charity to overcome difficulties and turn their life around.

It was won by Rachael McGuire, a 19-year-old from Clackmannanshire who found herself homeless at the age of 16.

With support from Action for Children's Path project in Alloa and her own determination, she recently moved into her own flat and has a job in a supermarket. Kelly Cooper Barr, founder and chair of the Woman of Influence committee, said: "These awards allow us to help some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Scotland and we've been blown away with everyone's generosity and support both in the lead up to, and at today's event.

"The awards are also about honouring women in Scotland who have achieved significant influence through their life, work or passion."

She added that being able to honour the 'Perfect 10' had been "really significant and a day that we will always remember".

Guests at the event enjoyed a fashion show and a performance Popstar to Opera Star winner Darius Campbell before a silent auction, which is the event's big fundraiser.

Prizes included diamonds, a luxury trip to Bali, a painting by Gerard Burns and a Jilli Blackwood bespoke kilt.

This year, all money raised will go towards Action for Children's Neglect appeal, which aims to raise 17 million nationwide to help the country's neglected children. All the money raised in Scotland will stay in the country.

The awards have raised over 600,000 since the inaugural event in 2001, and the money has helped support some of the country's most vulnerable and excluded children and young people in more than 60 projects throughout Scotland.

Previous winners Helen Liddell – Scotland's first female secretary of state, and Olivia Giles – a motivational speaker and charity campaigner, were also at yesterday's event as was Elish Angiolini, Scotland's first female Lord Advocate.