A chance to hear from some of the region’s most inspirational and successful women is offered at Teesside University as part of a free event to mark International Women’s Day.
The event, from 9.30am to 2.00pm on Saturday 4 March, will feature guest speakers, an exhibition and range of interactive displays in the University’s Curve building.
Guest speakers include Dr Laura Beers and Emma Chesworth, who led the Eighth Plinth campaign for a statue of a woman to be built in Middlesbrough.
The campaign has led to plans for a statue to commemorate inspirational figure Ellen Wilkinson, who worked her way from poverty stricken beginnings to lead the Jarrow Crusade before becoming the first UK Female Education Secretary.
Heidi Mottram OBE, Chief Executive of Northumbrian Water and Sade Sangowawa, Managing Director of Cultures CIC based in Stockton will also be offering a fascinating glimpse into their careers.
Angela Lockwood, Chief Executive of North Star Housing, will also speak about how she got to where she is in her career, what motivates her and what advice she has for other women in the world of work.
Also speaking is Redcar and Cleveland Council leader Sue Jeffrey, who has been announced as a candidate for Teesside’s first Tees Valley Metro Mayor.
The event will include displays and exhibitions on fashion, comics, 3D clay modelling, ‘make your own fingerprint keyring’, ‘Optijump’ which invites visitors to compare themselves to elite athletes, and ‘Reaction Time’ to measure reaction speeds.
There will be dance performances from Teesside University students, music from United Voices choir, hot food, cakes and a complimentary soft drink from the dry bar. Free car parking is available in the Centuria car park, located next to The Curve. A free creche is available for younger children.
Professor Jane Turner, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement), said: “We are pleased to be hosting this event which includes inspirational speakers from across Teesside. International Women’s Day is a global day of celebration and we look forward to welcoming guests from across our local community to join us in celebrating and raising awareness of the achievements of women both past and present.”
Book a place at this event on 01642 738232 or events@tees.ac.uk.
International Women’s Day will also be celebrated with two events run by the University’s School of Design, Culture & the Arts on Wednesday 8 March.
The first, from 10.00am to 3.00pm, will highlight women in sport and journalism and includes workshops at Middlesbrough Football Club’s Riverside Stadium on reporting, press conferences and use of digital and social media. The second event, on campus from 11.30am to 3.00pm, is aimed at female college and sixth form students aiming to work in film or television. Book a place by contacting arts@tees.ac.uk.
There will also be a film screening on Thursday 9 March. Voting is currently taking place on the University’s social media from three shortlisted films, Chicago, The Hunger Games and Erin Brockovich. Closing date for votes is Monday 6 March.