THROUGHOUT March, Manchester is to celebrate this year's International Women's Day (the official date falls on Sunday 8 March) and acknowledge the achievement of many women who have succeeded against the odds.
As a city with a long history in women's suffrage, it's to be the 25th year that Manchester has celebrated the worldwide event.
To mark the day, Manchester City Council has announced a full line-up of events under the theme 'Breaking Through'. From feminist talks to meditation sessions, more than 22 events have been announced, including the annual International Women's Day awards, where Manchester women are honoured for their contribution to the city at the Town Hall on Friday 6 March.
Previous Manchester Nominees
This year's theme, chosen by the International Women’s Day Steering Group (chaired by the lead member for women and made up of organisations, individuals and partners from across the city), was set to acknowledge women breaking through in all areas, including sport, science, politics, education, community activism, human rights, health, media, as well as legal and business professions.
As a city with a long history in women's suffrage, it's to be the 25th year that Manchester has celebrated the worldwide event.
International Women's Day was founded in 1910 by activist Clara Zetkin, who proposed the idea of an International Women’s Day (IWD) to celebrate the achievements of women and raise awareness of women’s issues. Her idea was gradually taken up by a range of women’s groups, including trade unions, socialist societies and working women’s clubs. The Women’s Day movement has gone from strength to strength, spreading globally – resulting in the first International Women’s Day in 1911.
See below for this year's line up highlights, see Manchester City Council website for the full brochure.
Celebrating 40 years of Women’s Aid | The Pankhurst Centre | 60–62 Nelson Street | M13 9WP | Every Sunday 11 - 4am
In February and March, the Pankhurst Centre hosts a Women’s Aid Federation of England exhibition to celebrate 40 years of Women’s Aid. The exhibition is of a series of photographs featuring key people in the history of Women’s Aid.
Feminist Takeover Thursday Late Manchester Art Gallery | Mosley Street | M2 3JL | Thu 5 Mar
From suffragettes smashing windows in the galleries to a breathtaking exhibition of female surrealists, Manchester has a rich heritage of stereotype-smashing women. Yet society and the art world are still dominated by men. In Emergency Break Glass brings together the north west’s best emerging women creatives to challenge this male dominated area. The Feminist Takeover Thursday Late is in collaboration with For Book’s Sake, Mighty Heart Theatre and Stirred Poetry.
Women as Peacemakers City Centre Trail People’s History Museum | Left Bank | Spinningfields |M3 3ER | Sat 7 Mar
Celebrate International Women’s Day and join Suzanne Hindle, a Green Badge Tour Guide, on a walking tour around the city centre. Uncover the stories of historical and modern Manchester women and find out about their contribution to harmony through radicalism, war effort, nursing, science and community work.
Women Breaking Through – biking through! | People’s History Museum | Left Bank | Spinningfields |M3 3ER | Sat 7 Mar
An event to mark and celebrate women’s cycling achievements (sporting, social and political) plus a look at women’s cycling history and the barriers that still need to be broken in 2015. Team Glow (a Manchester-based women’s cycling network) will be hosting the event at the People’s History Museum, Manchester. The event will include exhibitions looking at women’s cycling history and local cycling achievements over the past year and a screening of ‘Half the Road’. They also hope to incorporate a talk from a female cycling athlete.
Team Glow MCR
Breakthrough Women – Women in Social Enterprise Network event | Royal Bank of Scotland | 3 Hardman Boulevard | Spinningfields | M3 3AQ |
Come along and celebrate women in the city who have (against the odds) pursued their dream and set up a social business in the city. We will showcase the work, resilience and spirit of these women who’ve made a positive difference to their communities. With storytelling, networking and mentoring with ten mentors from the public, private and social enterprise sector, this promises to be a very valuable event.
Ticketed – please contact Jo McGrath
Notice and Create with The Owl and The Coconut | St Ann’s Square | M1 | Sun 8 Mar | 1–3pm
As part of The Owl and The Coconut’s Mindful Journeys Tour they're inviting you guest to take a moment for themselves, with mindful meditation and creativity. Follow your meditation to a deeper level using art materials to explore and express themes of ‘female roles and identity’.
Still I Rise | Bangkok Bar | 40–44 Princess Street | M1 6DD | Thu 12 Mar
A fun and uplifting evening of performances on an allwomen platform. Celebrate International Women’s Day with a fantastic evening of all-women talent, from spoken word and poetry to theatre and music. Inspired by the late Maya Angelou, Still I Rise highlights the talents and struggles of women from across the world. It will include a theatre performance by women of the Lesbian Immigration Support Group (LISG) and poetry readings by clients of Freedom from Torture North West. The event is free of charge but donations are welcome.
Sunday Salon: Patron Saint of Prostitutes, Josephine Butler and a Victorian Scandal | People’s History Museum | Left Bank | Spinningfields | M3 3ER | Sun 15 Mar
A Sunday Salon with the book’s author Helen Mathers and historian of sexuality Jana Funke. Victorian feminist Josephine Butler campaigned against laws that abused prostitutes. She helped women and girls affected by trafficking and sexual abuse. Her campaigns meshed with those in Manchester at the time, particularly the women’s suffrage campaign. Booking required via Eventbrite
