International Women’s Day will take place on Saturday, March 8. This annual holiday recognises women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It has been celebrated for over 110 years, with the first celebration taking place in 1911.
It also marks a key fundraising day for many charities that focus on women’s issues like abuse, equality, and in some countries, reproductive rights. The theme for this year’s fundraising push is Accelerate Action, as according to the World Economic Forum, the current rate of progress for full gender equality means it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now.
Businesses and organisations worldwide, many of whom reside in the North East, celebrate the day. We discuss some of the events happening across the region and ways you can take part.
Good Girls & Co: RE:VULVA, The Kunst Club & More!
Advertised as “360 degrees of feminine glory”, the International Women’s Day celebration at Cobalt is sure to make an impact.
The musical event features several female artists, with a mix of millennial pop, electro-funk, accordion, ukulele and folk across the three announced acts. It’s an evening that promises “an unapologetic brew of colourful and creative composition” with “ Each performance promises to be as sparkling as a brand new vagazzle”.
Heritage Talk: Women at Work
This talk sees Janis Blower examine the experiences of women in employment across the decades of the social and industrial revolution in the UK. Previous Heritage Talks have been well received, so this International Women’s Day special is sure to be just as good.
It asks questions such as “How, locally, did women respond when war summoned them to service on the home front – in shipyards, pitheads and factories – and what did they return to when peace came?”
Janis is a retired Shields Gazette journalist who worked there for more than 40 years. When she retired in 2015, her editor described her as a “true ambassador” for the paper and a “voice of authority” on the history of its patch (HoldtheFrontPage.co.uk).
Beamish
The North’s Living Museum is pulling out all the stops for International Women’s Day, with the National Federation of Women’s Institutes helping launch a Women’s Institute Exhibition showcasing the materials used by WI members over the last 110 years. As the largest women’s organisation in the UK, WI banners, posters, and ‘craftivist’ items will be displayed to highlight the NFWI’s remarkable history of achieving positive change for women and society for over a century. The WI Exhibition can be found in the 1950s Welfare Hall between the 8th-16th March with an Exhibition Launch event at 1pm on the 8th. On the same day down the 1900s Town street between 11am and 2pm, there will be Suffrage activities with members of the museum wearing traditional suffragette regalia.
‘Deeds, Not Words’ A Walking Tour – How Women Won The Vote (And The Part Newcastle upon Tyne Played In It)
This 90-minute walking tour around the town centre allows participants to step back one hundred years and explore the stories of the decades-long campaign for the vote and the Novocastrian women who played pivotal roles in that fight and hear inspiring stories of the brave, resilient women who played pivotal roles in the fight for British suffrage.
Women’s Words Creative Writing Group
This event allows female writers the chance to collaborate and find their local creativity together. Talk to local inspirational women who have been given a voice through creative writing, maybe try your hand at some writing, and meet other women who have been inspired by creative writing.
Bestselling author Glenda Young will join the group to discuss her journey into writing and deliver a writing exercise as part of the workshop.
Tyneside Cinema and Young Women’s Film Academy
A charity dedicated to creating opportunities for talented female filmmakers is collaborating with Tyneside Cinema to showcase some of their work this Saturday, celebrating International Women’s Day.
The Young Women’s Film Academy, established by former Coronation Street actor Charlie Hardwick, will take over a screen at the Tyneside Cinema in the city centre to present the beloved 2002 comedy “Bend It Like Beckham.” Prior to the movie, the academy will feature two short films created by its members, helping promote young female filmmakers.
There is a wide range of other activities available in your local community, so the best way to find out about them is to see community notices and stay engaged with those in your area.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/how-you-can-celebrate-international-31142676
