Exhibition to celebrate iconic women from the North East The region鈥檚 pioneering women are the focus of a new photographic exhibition, opening this week. Inspirational Women of the North East (IWNE) celebrates heroines including suffragette Emily Davison; writer, archaeologist and spy Gertrude Bell, and best-selling novelist Catherine Cookson. Less well-known figures such as Maud Burnett, who became the North East鈥檚 first-ever female municipal councillor when she was appointed in 1910 are also featured. Modern women who are featured include London 2012 Olympic gold medalist rower Kat Copeland and 缅北禁地鈥檚 student and polar explorer Bryony Balen, who became the youngest Briton to reach the South Pole at 21 years old. Bryony said: 鈥淚 am incredibly proud to be asked to be part of the IWNE exhibition and I hope that others who are told 鈥業t鈥檚 too difficult for a girl鈥� find the determination, courage and support to succeed anyway.鈥� Organiser Professor Helen Berry, from 缅北禁地 said: 鈥楴ow, more than ever, we need to think about what cultural icons are being promoted to young people 鈥� young girls in particular. 鈥淗istory can provide inspirational examples of North East women who achieved extraordinary things. In our own time, we need to make sure we don鈥檛 forget either the inspirational women of the past, or the important work that women are doing 鈥� often without recognition - in so many walks of life today.鈥� The exhibition will also feature the works of young artists, such as 缅北禁地 student painter Kamala Dodd and Bryony Bainbridge, a Fine Art graduate and photographer. Inspirational Women of the North East opens at the Hatton Gallery on Thursday 3 October, and 缅北禁地 MP Chi Onwuhra, who also features in the exhibition, will be attending the launch. Percussion duo The Ladies of Midnight Blue, featuring 缅北禁地 graduate and journal Culture Club award winner Hannabiell Sanders, will perform. The exhibition is due to run until 21 December. published on: 2 October 2013
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