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.

Former Monkwearmouth School pupil Melanie Hill has a long and distinguished acting career. Well known for her role in Coronation Street, her acting credits also include roles in Waterloo Road, Bread, Playing the Field and more. She's also appeared in films Stardust and Brassed Off. A passionate supporter of her home city, Melanie often flies the flag for Sunderland.

21. Melanie Hill, Actor

Former Monkwearmouth School pupil Melanie Hill has a long and distinguished acting career. Well known for her role in Coronation Street, her acting credits also include roles in Waterloo Road, Bread, Playing the Field and more. She's also appeared in films Stardust and Brassed Off. A passionate supporter of her home city, Melanie often flies the flag for Sunderland. Photo: Submitted

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Rising to prominence on Geordie Shore, former St Anthony's pupil Charlotte Crosby has gone on to have a successful career as a TV personality and business owner with her own brand, Pepper Girls Club, amassing more than 8million followers on Instagram alone. Cameras followed her for two series of her BBC show, Charlotte in Sunderland, which was shot around her home city. She's pictured here in a Right Move campaign showcasing the Sunderland property market.

22. Charlotte Crosby, TV personality and business owner

Rising to prominence on Geordie Shore, former St Anthony's pupil Charlotte Crosby has gone on to have a successful career as a TV personality and business owner with her own brand, Pepper Girls Club, amassing more than 8million followers on Instagram alone. Cameras followed her for two series of her BBC show, Charlotte in Sunderland, which was shot around her home city. She's pictured here in a Right Move campaign showcasing the Sunderland property market. | Richard Lee/PinPep

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Olympian Aly Dixon has had huge success in long distance running. Her accomplishments include being 50km champion and world record holder, as well as being British marathon champion 2016 & 2017. A proud supporter of her city, she is also an ambassador for St Benedict's hospice in Sunderland and Foundation of Light.

23. Aly Dixon, Athlete

Olympian Aly Dixon has had huge success in long distance running. Her accomplishments include being 50km champion and world record holder, as well as being British marathon champion 2016 & 2017. A proud supporter of her city, she is also an ambassador for St Benedict's hospice in Sunderland and Foundation of Light. Photo: JPI Media

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A blue plaque on The Blue Bell Inn in Washington honours the work of a pioneering educator who worked to better the lives of those less fortunate. Susan Peareth, the Lady of Peareth Hall in the 1800s, is known for her work with poorer families and children, teaching them numeracy, reading and writing. At the time, there were very few schools in existence for the poor. When she died in 1821, she left money to build a school on the site of what is now the Blue Bell Inn in Peareth Hall Road. High Usworth School, as it became, stood from 1826 until 1969 and played a key role in educating people in the Washington area. Pictured at the plaque unveiling are, from left: Coun Bernie Scaplehorn, Blue Bell staff Emma Forsyth, Washington Trust Susan Brown and Blue Bell landlady Lisa Dorman.

24. Susan Peareth, Educator

A blue plaque on The Blue Bell Inn in Washington honours the work of a pioneering educator who worked to better the lives of those less fortunate. Susan Peareth, the Lady of Peareth Hall in the 1800s, is known for her work with poorer families and children, teaching them numeracy, reading and writing. At the time, there were very few schools in existence for the poor. When she died in 1821, she left money to build a school on the site of what is now the Blue Bell Inn in Peareth Hall Road. High Usworth School, as it became, stood from 1826 until 1969 and played a key role in educating people in the Washington area. Pictured at the plaque unveiling are, from left: Coun Bernie Scaplehorn, Blue Bell staff Emma Forsyth, Washington Trust Susan Brown and Blue Bell landlady Lisa Dorman. Photo: JPI Media

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