And the Woman of the Year is [insert your name here]

Junk mail especially for women this time...

This latest letter begins, "I am delighted to announce your nomination for the prestigious title WOMAN OF THE YEAR - 1999. The [American Biographical Institute's] International Board of Research decided on your nomination due to your overall accomplishments and contributions to society". Of course, you don't have to read too much further before you realise you get to pay $US195 for the privilege (or $US295 if you want

your certificate laminated onto Finland Birch Wood).

We tried to find out more about the American Biographical Institute (ABI) for you: after all it is not a crime to set up an awards scheme. Unfortunately we didn't have much luck - our attempts to contact ABI's office in North Carolina failed.

What we can tell you is that L Ron Hubbard is a member (according to his website anyway). We also know that a search of the Internet will reveal several people - mostly scientists - who have received "Man of the Year" awards and have proudly noted this on their CV. Dr Philip Adib Salem, Jiawei Han, Vladimir Fomichov, Zia Ulla Quer Shi... to name just a few.

Ever heard of any of them? No? Damn, and it is such a prestigious award too...

Here's a tip: if you feel you deserve to be recognised as Woman of the Year - we are certain many of you do deserve it - take the US$195 you would have spent had you replied to ABI and get your own certificate made up. Hang it prominently above your desk at work. If anyone asks, tell them you were nominated by the American Biographical Institute for Woman of the Year (if you have received its letter, you won't be lying).

Seriously, we recommend you think carefully before parting with any money if you do receive this letter. In our view there is very little evidence to suggest that this award has any real value.