Gertrude Bell, who was born in Washington’s Dame Margaret Hall, became the first woman to achieve a first class degree in Modern History from Oxford University. She was an extraordinary woman who made significant contributions in so many different areas, including archaeology, exploration and the politics of the Middle East. She developed a passion for Arabic cultures and became so familiar with the Middle East that she ended up working at a high level with British military intelligence in Mesopotamia, during the First World War. She was the only woman present at Winston Churchill’s post-war conference to discuss the future of the region and by the time of her death in Baghdad in 1926 had helped oversee the creation of modern Iraq.placeholder image
Gertrude Bell, who was born in Washington’s Dame Margaret Hall, became the first woman to achieve a first class degree in Modern History from Oxford University. She was an extraordinary woman who made significant contributions in so many different areas, including archaeology, exploration and the politics of the Middle East. She developed a passion for Arabic cultures and became so familiar with the Middle East that she ended up working at a high level with British military intelligence in Mesopotamia, during the First World War. She was the only woman present at Winston Churchill’s post-war conference to discuss the future of the region and by the time of her death in Baghdad in 1926 had helped oversee the creation of modern Iraq.

From Charlotte Crosby to Kate Adie, 24 Sunderland women who've made their mark for International Women's Day

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 6th Mar 2020, 11:00 GMT
Updated 8th Mar 2025, 09:24 GMT

For International Women’s Day, on March 8, 2025, we’re highlighting just some of the Wearside women who’ve smashed the glass ceiling and made a mark in their field.

From the world of business and sport to pioneering women’s education and being a charity champion, their achievements are far-reaching and have had an impact way beyond their home city. Here’s 24 women who’ve really made a difference or made their mark, in no particular order.

During WWII around 700 women took on the backbreaking work of Sunderland's shipyards while their dads, husbands and sons fought on the battlefields. They played a pivotal role in the war effort at a time when Sunderland was one of the biggest shipbuilders in the world. They inspired the best-selling Shipyard Girls book series, which has sold more than half a million copies. Recently, a sculpture was unveiled in their honour on St Peter's Riverside.

9. Real life Shipyard girls

During WWII around 700 women took on the backbreaking work of Sunderland's shipyards while their dads, husbands and sons fought on the battlefields. They played a pivotal role in the war effort at a time when Sunderland was one of the biggest shipbuilders in the world. They inspired the best-selling Shipyard Girls book series, which has sold more than half a million copies. Recently, a sculpture was unveiled in their honour on St Peter's Riverside. Photo: JPI Media

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Sunderland author Amanda Revell Walton, who writes as Nancy Revell, was so inspired by the Wearside women who worked in the shipyards during the war that she created a hugely-successful series of novels called The Shipyard Girls. Although the characters are fictional, their experiences and places they go are rooted in historical facts which Amanda painstakingly researches. Her novels have hit the Sunday Times Bestsellers list on numerous occasions.

10. Amanda Revell Walton, Sunday Times Bestselling Author

Sunderland author Amanda Revell Walton, who writes as Nancy Revell, was so inspired by the Wearside women who worked in the shipyards during the war that she created a hugely-successful series of novels called The Shipyard Girls. Although the characters are fictional, their experiences and places they go are rooted in historical facts which Amanda painstakingly researches. Her novels have hit the Sunday Times Bestsellers list on numerous occasions. Photo: JPI Media

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Along with Jill Scott, Steph Houghton from South Hetton has inspired a whole generation of girls. Former Hetton School pupil Steph began her career at Sunderland, before moving to clubs including Arsenal and Manchester City. She became England captain and one of the country's most-capped women. She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to football and has also been given Freedom of the City, alongside Jill Scott.

11. Steph Houghton, Lioness

Along with Jill Scott, Steph Houghton from South Hetton has inspired a whole generation of girls. Former Hetton School pupil Steph began her career at Sunderland, before moving to clubs including Arsenal and Manchester City. She became England captain and one of the country's most-capped women. She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to football and has also been given Freedom of the City, alongside Jill Scott. Photo: Scott Heppell

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Irene Hays CBE is chairwoman of Hays Travel, the largest independent travel agent in the UK, which she owned with her late husband John Hays, another much-respected figure in the city. Commended for the great way it treats its staff, Hays purchased the failing Thomas Cook Group safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs. Irene is pictured here with her husband John and Coun Graham Miller being awarded the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Business of the Year award in 2019.

12. Irene Hays, Businesswoman

Irene Hays CBE is chairwoman of Hays Travel, the largest independent travel agent in the UK, which she owned with her late husband John Hays, another much-respected figure in the city. Commended for the great way it treats its staff, Hays purchased the failing Thomas Cook Group safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs. Irene is pictured here with her husband John and Coun Graham Miller being awarded the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Business of the Year award in 2019. Photo: JPI Media

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