We at the Central Western Daily have some experience with this when organisations need follow-up stories to push award nomination rates higher.

Yet theoretically, this shouldn't be an issue.

So many people in Orange are doing amazing things - many are running their own businesses and we've been staggered by the number of start-ups recently by people in their 30s.

Others are leading the way in helping the environment or an immeasurable number of charitable pursuits.

Think of any organisation in Orange and it's not hard to think immediately of the people who drive it all.

Yet recognition is harder to come by.

Some are too humble to nominate themselves for fear of appearing too self-promoting.

Others are simply unaware of the profound effect they have on the people around them and do what they do because it needs to be done.

Social media shoulders blame for a lot of today's problems and it has an impact in this area too.

The constant desire and push for perfection can create the false thought that if one is not perfect, they are not worthy of recognition.

That competition can also have an affect on their peers, who may not want to submit a nomination for fear of somehow lessening their own contribution.

But in an age where gender equality is getting closer, but still not quite there, these barriers are problematic, particularly for women.

That's why the Australian Financial Review's 100 Women of Influence Awards are so important.

They are a reminder that the everyday pressures of life don't have to stand in the way of following a passion.

They showcase women who have shone a light on the path to encourage others to do the same and ensure those who have left a mark know they have done so.

But there are also ongoing effects - awards alumni can access courses and network with each other and the benefits of that knowledge travel well beyond the recipient.

There might only be officially 100 Women of Influence each year, but there are potentially far more if we are willing to raise each other up.