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.

Lauren was raised in Sunderland and attended St Anthony’s Girls’ School and Sunderland College. She rose to prominence with band Kenickie. Today she is most well-known for her presenting slot on BBC Radio 6 Music and The One Show, and has presented high-profile television programmes including 10 O’Clock Live for Channel 4, and The Culture Show and coverage of the Glastonbury Festival for the BBC. She is a regular visitor back to Sunderland where her family still live.

17. Lauren Laverne, Broadcaster and Musician

Lauren was raised in Sunderland and attended St Anthony’s Girls’ School and Sunderland College. She rose to prominence with band Kenickie. Today she is most well-known for her presenting slot on BBC Radio 6 Music and The One Show, and has presented high-profile television programmes including 10 O’Clock Live for Channel 4, and The Culture Show and coverage of the Glastonbury Festival for the BBC. She is a regular visitor back to Sunderland where her family still live. Photo: Library photo

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Emeli spent the first few years of her life in Sunderland before moving to Scotland after her parents, Joel Sandé and Diane Sandé-Wood, met while studying at Sunderland Polytechnic. Her debut album Our Version Of Events was not only the biggest selling album of 2012 and second biggest selling album of 2013, but it was also certified 7x platinum, spent seven non-consecutive weeks at No.1 and exceeded The Beatles’ previous record by spending 63 consecutive weeks in the top 10 and selling over 4.6 million copies worldwide. Her hit singles include Next To Me, Clown and Breathing Underwater. More recently, Emeli became a Chancellor for Sunderland University.

18. Emeli Sandé, Singer / Songwriter

Emeli spent the first few years of her life in Sunderland before moving to Scotland after her parents, Joel Sandé and Diane Sandé-Wood, met while studying at Sunderland Polytechnic. Her debut album Our Version Of Events was not only the biggest selling album of 2012 and second biggest selling album of 2013, but it was also certified 7x platinum, spent seven non-consecutive weeks at No.1 and exceeded The Beatles’ previous record by spending 63 consecutive weeks in the top 10 and selling over 4.6 million copies worldwide. Her hit singles include Next To Me, Clown and Breathing Underwater. More recently, Emeli became a Chancellor for Sunderland University. Photo: Library photo

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Author Glenda Young shines a light on Sunderland history and her home village of Ryhope in her fictional novels, including The Tuppenny Child, Pearl of Pit Lane and The Paper Mill Girl. She is also the author of a series of ‘cosy crime’ thrillers set in Scarborough, which were shortlisted at the Dead Good Readers Awards, alongside Val McDermid and Richard Osman, at the 2022 Harrogate Crime Festival. Passionate about her home city, Glenda regularly gives talks in Sunderland.

19. Glenda Young, author

Author Glenda Young shines a light on Sunderland history and her home village of Ryhope in her fictional novels, including The Tuppenny Child, Pearl of Pit Lane and The Paper Mill Girl. She is also the author of a series of ‘cosy crime’ thrillers set in Scarborough, which were shortlisted at the Dead Good Readers Awards, alongside Val McDermid and Richard Osman, at the 2022 Harrogate Crime Festival. Passionate about her home city, Glenda regularly gives talks in Sunderland. Photo: submitted

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Overcoming unimaginable grief, Julie Reay from Barnes has raised more than £150,000 for good causes in her home city in memory of her son Peter who died aged 13 after falling from a rope swing in Galley's Gill in 2002. She set up the Peter David Lane Trust Fund, which has helped countless people in the city, such as by providing a Sunshine Coach for Southwick School, and her sterling efforts were recognised at the Best of Wearside Awards where she won the Fundraiser of the Year category. She's particularly well-known for her Boxing Day Dip team, Footprints in the Sand, who raised thousands by racing into the sea at Seaburn each year.

20. Julie Reay, Charity Fundraiser

Overcoming unimaginable grief, Julie Reay from Barnes has raised more than £150,000 for good causes in her home city in memory of her son Peter who died aged 13 after falling from a rope swing in Galley's Gill in 2002. She set up the Peter David Lane Trust Fund, which has helped countless people in the city, such as by providing a Sunshine Coach for Southwick School, and her sterling efforts were recognised at the Best of Wearside Awards where she won the Fundraiser of the Year category. She's particularly well-known for her Boxing Day Dip team, Footprints in the Sand, who raised thousands by racing into the sea at Seaburn each year. Photo: JPI Media

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