News- Celebrating women who shaped the world

Published February 27, 2025 9.30am

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.

Artist Chinwe Russell, who is a guest speaker at Bishop Auckland Town Hall's International Women's Day event

Sue Snowdon, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, will host A World of Inspiration at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 8 March.

Speakers include 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 18^th 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 our heritage and registration venue, The Story. The exhibition also features a soundscape by Marie Gardiner featuring the voices of County Durham women.

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 Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

Looking forward

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "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."

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 Bishop Auckland Town Hall: Gallery exhibitions.

About the speakers

Chinwe Russell, artist

Artist Chinwe Russell, a Nigerian-born Doncaster artist, is a renowned artistic visionary and industry leader who captivates audiences with her distinctive, emotionally evocative, big, bold narrative art that transcends borders and serves as a universal language. Chinwe Russell stands as a force in the community, passionately advocating for active involvement in the visual arts. As an artist, curator, and entrepreneur, Chinwe's artistic journey is marked by accolades and exhibitions, showcasing her commitment to exploring historical and social narratives through impactful art.

Professor Azadeh Fatehrad, Teesside University

Professor Azadeh Fatehrad is a professor of art and public policy, leading the Empowered and Inclusive Places Programme at the People and Place Research Centre at Teesside University. Her work investigates the complexities of gender, identity, and representation through a unique combination of research, artistic practice, and curatorial projects. As the co-founder of Herstoriographies: The Feminist Media Archive Research Network in London, she is committed to uncovering and amplifying the often-overlooked narratives of women in history.

Sarah Price, head of Locomotion (Science Museum Group)

Sarah has been head of Locomotion in Shildon since August 2018. In the last six years, she has led on the transformation of the museum. This has included a wide range of capital projects including the building of New Hall, updating of interpretation across site, reinvigorating the museum's programme of events and forging stronger links with the local community. Passionate about the ability of museums to make meaningful difference to people's lives, Sarah is committed to ensuring that Locomotion becomes a place of inspiration for young and old alike, particularly this year as people all over the world celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.