Women from across the North East have been recognised and championed for their strength, intelligence, power and bravery this International Women's Day.
International Women's Day, which is celebrated each year on March 8, is an annual celebration focusing on issues including gender equality, reproductive rights and ending violence and abuse towards women.
Every year, organisations and women across the world take part in activities and events to mark the occasion.
This year, of course, is no different with women across the North East banding together to positively celebrate women's contributions to the world.
In County Durham, pupils from three different schools were invited to an event by Durham County Council in a bid to inspire young women to reach for their career goals disregarding their gender.
Hosted by Leader of the Council Cllr Amanda Hopgood and corporate director for regeneration, economy, and growth Amy Harhoff, the pupils were given the chance to have discussions with staff and seek advice about achieving their dreams.
Cllr Hopgood said: "International Women’s Day is held every year to celebrate the achievements of women throughout history and promote an equal world now and for the future.
"This year’s theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’ - promoting the inclusion of women and girls in all aspects of society and empowering them to feel valued and included.
"Today we wanted to show the young women of County Durham that they can achieve their ambitions and aim high no matter their gender.
"As the first ever woman political leader of Durham County Council, this is something that is very important to me and I wanted to use today as an opportunity to encourage the students to pursue their dreams."
At the end of the event, pupils were asked to write down a pledge for themselves relating to International Women’s Day and what they can do to achieve their ambitions and promote gender equality.
Louise Langmead, a student at Belmont Community School, wrote: "I learned to never give up and always try even if you think you can’t do it."
Elsewhere, in Darlington, a blue plaque on the home of the town’s first woman councillor who won her first election 130 years ago was unveiled.
Councillor Jan Cossins unveiled the plaque on the wall outside where Clara Curtis Lucas lived in Abbey Road.
Ms Lucas was a leading campaigner for women to get the Parliamentary vote, touring the North East and giving speeches, during which she received "a considerable amount of opposition".
"I’ve always been aware of Clara, especially as I am also a Cockerton councillor, and then in 2018, which was the 100th anniversary of the first women getting the vote, a rosette was placed on her photograph in the Town Hall, so when I became mayor, I really wanted to mark her contribution and International Women’s Day seemed the most appropriate time," said Cllr Cossins.
"People like Clara inspire women and girls to fulfil their potential, potential which, in the past, has been thwarted because we have not had equality."
Read more here: Mayor unveils plaque to Darlington's first woman councillor
Meanwhile, Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team praised the contribution of women in mountain rescue and the 13 who are currently part of their team.
They said: "The history of women in mountain rescue in the UK reflects a journey of progress, from early challenges and resistance to acceptance, recognition, and leadership.
"Their contributions have enriched the fabric of mountain rescue teams and reaffirmed the principle that skill, dedication, and passion for the outdoors know no gender boundaries."
One such woman who was able to tell her story with the team was Carolyn, whose first encounter with rescuers happened when her friend was involved in a climbing accident and later lost her leg.
She was "impressed" by the team's rescue efforts so decided to join herself and hasn't looked back since.
She said: "A few years later I was able to join Cleveland MRT when I moved north to join my partner who was already a team member – I have been an active member of the team for 26 years.
"My biggest contribution was supporting my husband as the base manager for 12 years - both with the major refurbishment of the base and with the day-to-day cleaning, maintenance and security.
"I enjoy the satisfaction of being able to help other people in their time of need, of making a contribution to the local community and the teamwork which underpins every rescue or incident."
Last, but certainly not least, a Sunderland woman has re-told her memories of the 1984 miners strike to mark International Women's Day and recognise the contribution women made during the strike period.
Cllr Juliana Heron, councillor for Houghton Ward, played a leading role in the Eppleton Miners’ Wives Support Group, which had a vital role in sustaining Wearside miners.
When the coal board announced the shocking closures of 20 collieries which axed 20,000 jobs, the wives of striking miners played a critical part in both taking part in marches and keeping the strikers going.
"We made sure the miners were being fed and made sure that all of the wives were supported," said Cllr Heron. "We were there for each other and we became one big family in the end.
"We ran a café providing proper meals, a main course and dessert. It was a lot of meals, one week we served 1,350 meals.
"I was involved in food parcels. We had found out that single miners weren’t receiving any benefits at all, so with the backing of the NUM, we provided them with food parcels every week to make sure that they could make meals."
Cllr Heron just last week joined hundreds of women in Durham City to remember the strike and to pay tribute to the women behind the miners.
She helped organise the events, which included a pop-up shop in the week leading up to the march and saw people come from around the world to show their camaraderie.
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“We started out planning for a small event in Durham to mark the 40th anniversary of the strike - it ended up becoming absolutely enormous,” said Cllr Heron.
“We had people from all over come to the event. There were American ex-miners, people from Holland, France and Germany, as well as from across the UK. It was amazing.
“We started at Durham Cathedral, walked down to the Madeline steps and ended up at Dunelm House. And when we got there, the Durham Miners banners gave us a guard of honour going into the building, it was absolutely fantastic, I had shivers.”
Read more here: Durham's Women's Rally, celebrating the women of the strikes
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