Wearside's Rebel Women set to make a return as they help tell the story of how Mackem lasses changed the world

One of the artworks created by Kathryn Robertson of Kenickie as part of the Rebel Women of Sunderland project.

The exhibition was held in the city last year, as Sunderland Culture looked to champion Wearsiders who had made a difference throughout the decades.

Now the illustrations, created by artist Kathryn Robertson and accompanied with text penned by Jessica Andrews, are to be put in the limelight again.

An afternoon tea event will be held as part of International Women’s Day 2020 hosted by Sunderland Culture, which runs a series of venues across Sunderland and support’s the area’s creative community, and Hope Street Xchange.

Hope Street Xchange, in Hind Street, will host the event. Image copyright Google Maps.

Put on in partnership by Sunderland Heritage Action Zone and Open Heritage, the images originally went on display at Pop Recs and included women including Ida and Lousie Cook, activists who smuggled Jews out of Nazi Germany, Elizabeth Donnison, who founded the Donnison School, Hope Winch, first head of the University’s pharmacy department and members of Kenickie, Lauren Laverne, Marie Nixon and Emma Jackson.

Abbie Robinson, Team GB paraclimber, and Kate Adie, the journalist and broadcaster, have also been profiled by the project.

Now four more portraits and stories have been created and will be unveiled during the late lunch gathering.

The event, on Tuesday, March 10, will feature an introduction from Laura Brewis, who works in creative economy and artist development with Sunderland Culture.

The image of journalist and author Kate Adie created as part of the Rebel Women of Sunderland exhibition.

The audience will then hear from Dr Sarah Hellawell, lecturer in modern British history at the University of Sunderland and an expert on Dr Marion Phillips, the city’s first female MP.

Afternoon tea will be served, with the record-holding long-distance runner and the subject of a new portrait to then speak, followed by a closing speech by the organisers.

The Rebel Women of Sunderland project is supported with funding from Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Tickets for the event, which will run from 2pm to 4pm and hosted at Hope Street Xchange in Hind Street in the city centre, are £10 and can be bought via Eventbrite.