Three inspirational guest speakers who are excelling in their fields will take to the stage during a special event to mark International Women’s Day next week.
Sue Snowdon, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, will host A World of Inspiration at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 8 March.
Speakers at the Durham County Council venue includes Nigerian-born Doncaster artist, curator and advisor Chinwe Russell; Professor Azadeh Fatehrad, a multi-disciplinary scholar specialising in feminist historiography, visual culture, and societal integration at Teesside University; and Sarah Price, head of Locomotion at the Science Museum Group.
Audiences will also be invited to view two new exhibitions – 20 Historical Women Who Changed The World and Inspirational Women of Durham.
Displayed in Bishop Auckland Town Hall’s main gallery, 20 Historical Women Who Changed The World gives an insight into the lives of women whose work has had a massive impact on the contemporary world. This bold, colourful, educational and historically inspired collection, from Chinwe Russell, contains well-known figures such as Marie Curie, Elizabeth I and Florence Nightingale, along with many lesser-known women whose works continue to shape people’s daily lives.
Inspirational Women of Durham, meanwhile, will be displayed in the venue’s Strong Room gallery space. It features five larger-than-life sized portraits of women from County Durham who have been inspirational within their communities – from the county’s current Lord Lieutenant, Sue Snowdon, to 18th century pub landlady Elsie Marley, who inspired a song that is still sung today. Artist Jilly Johnson created the portraits with help from the team at Durham County Council’s heritage and registration venue, The Story. The exhibition also includes a soundscape by Marie Gardiner featuring the voices of County Durham women.
“International Women’s Day is an opportunity for us all to reflect on the achievements of women who have shaped the world in which we live today. But it’s not just about looking back; it’s about looking forward and considering how we can continue to strive for gender equality.
“It’s about inspiring people of all genders to follow their dreams and shining a light on the opportunities that exist.
“The speakers taking part in this event bring a wealth of experience and unique perspectives and we are looking forward to welcoming them to Bishop Auckland Town Hall.”
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships
A World of Inspiration starts at 10am on Saturday 8 March with tickets, priced at £3, available from the venue’s Box Office on 03000 269 524 or online at www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk.
The exhibitions – 20 Historical Women who Changed The World and Inspirational Women of Durham – run from Saturday 1 March to Saturday 24 May.
To find out more about Bishop Auckland Town Hall’s galleries and exhibitions, visit www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk/gallery.
