8 Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day 2023 in Newcastle
Celebrated annually on 8th March, International Women’s Day is a time for shining a light on the political, economic, social and cultural achievements of women and calling attention to the need for women’s equality. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity and Newcastle is holding a whole host of events to mark the occasion.
Image: Tyne to Stand Up 2021, courtesy of The Twins, @we.are.thetwins
Tyne to Stand Up…Again!, Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Some of the funniest female comedians from across the North East are convening on Tyne Theatre & Opera House for the second edition of comedy gala Tyne to Stand Up. Organised by Felt Nowt, the show boasts a line-up that includes hilarious talents like Catherine Scott, Anja Atkinson and Your Aunt Fanny. Tickets cost £10 and proceeds raised go to the charity Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland.
This Girl Can 5K Run/Jog/Walk, Exhibition Park
Newcastle City Council’s annual This Girl Can event is the perfect way to celebrate International Women’s Day for both the sporty and the not-so-sporty. Taking place at Exhibition Park, it’s a chance to get together with like-minded women and mark the day with a run, jog or walk around a five kilometre or one mile route. Places are free to reserve and fancy dress is welcomed.
Image: Newcastle Cathedral
The Women Behind the Stones & Working for Women, Newcastle Cathedral
Newcastle Cathedral is hosting two events to mark International Women’s Day this year. Join researcher Pat Halcro for The Women Behind the Stones, hour-long tour of the Cathedral that explores the trailblazing women remembered in the building, or attend Working for Women – a series of enlightening talks delivered by people who work to support women in the North East, which will be followed by the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Mary Astell aka “the first English feminist.”
International Women’s Day Data Science Masterclasses, Newcastle Helix
Perfect for women working in tech, the National Innovation Centre for Data is hosting a series of data science masterclasses at Newcastle Helix to celebrate International Women’s Day. Led by data scientist experts including Louise Braithwaite and Dr Antonia Kontaratou, there are three free masterclasses to choose from covering topics like data visualisation and natural language processing.
Image: Wambui Hardcastle at COCO's International Women's Day Conference 2020
COCO’s International Women’s Day Conference, Newcastle Helix
Charity COCO is known for its annual International Women’s Day events in the city and this year’s conference takes place at Newcastle Helix. Alongside exploring the challenges that women face, COCO’s conference will also celebrate successes of said challenges being overcome with confirmed speakers that include Libyan-born, North East-raised freelance journalist Loujane Alasi and menopause educator Sharon MacArthur of Miss Menopause fame.
Image: Chi Onwurah
We Are Here & Discover Her Story, Discovery Museum
The Discovery Museum is home to two amazing trails celebrating local women in all their glory that are perfect for marking International Women’s Day. Discover Her Story commemorates trailblazing women from the North East’s past including abolitionist Anna Richardson and suffragette Connie Lewcock, while the recently launched We Are Here trail celebrates inspirational women making a difference in contemporary communities like Northumbria University professor Dr Donna Chambers and local MP Chi Onwurah.
Image: Lasagna, courtesy of Picturesbybish
Lasagna, Live Theatre
North East-based women’s theatre company Open Clasp is making a befitting return to live touring on International Women’s Day with their female-centric production Lasagna at Live Theatre which runs from 8th March to 11th March. Based on the real-life experiences of women who have lost children to the care system, the play takes place against the backdrop of the first national COVID-19 lockdown and follows two women – both strangers – who cross the lines that divide them.
Women’s History Month, Newcastle City Library
Newcastle City Library isn’t just celebrating International Women’s Day; they’re going the whole hog and marking Women’s History Month (1st March-31st March) with a carefully curated programme of events. Watch screenings of the films Little Women and Suffragette, learn about notable North East women with Joyce Quin’s talk Angels of the North, and explore UK feminist magazines with the Liberating Histories Project.
Whether you want to learn about trailblazing local women, catch some female-focused comedy and theatre or learn a new skill, there are plenty of ways to celebrate International Women’s Day in Newcastle.
Main image: Tyne to Stand Up 2021, courtesy of The Twins, @we.are.thetwins
