From the world of work 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 20 women who’ve really made a difference, in no particular order.
5. Elizabeth Donnison, Women's Education
The Donnison School, which still stands in the East End, was established in 1778 for young girls through a provision made by Elizabeth Donnison in her will, the widow of a wealthy coal fitter. It provided free education for 36 poor girls, aged 7 to 16, who were taught reading, writing and arithmetic. They were also provided with free clothes and shoes. Elizabeth was also recently honoured in last year's Rebel Women of Sunderland exhibition. Photo: Kathryn Robertson / Sunderland Culture
6. Shipyard workers
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. There's plans to honour them with a statue on the former Vaux site, overlooking the banks of the Wear where they once grafted. Photo: JPI Media
7. Amanda Revel Walton, Sunday Times Bestselling Author
Sunderland author Amanda Revel Walton, who writes as Nancy Walton, 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, which she pens from her Roker home, have hit the Sunday Times Bestsellers list. Photo: JPI Media
8. Carla Cuthbertson, charity campaigner
Carla Cuthbertson, along with husband Tom, was this year awarded an MBE after they channeled the grief of losing their teenage son into raising £350,000 for city charities. They suffered every parent’s worst nightmare when their son Pte Nathan Cuthbertson, of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), was killed while on foot patrol in Helmand Province in June 2008. It was a devastating incident which would scar their lives forever, but since that dark day the couple have turned unimaginable tragedy into a force for good. Among their many charitable endeavours are: creating the Brothers in Arms charity, organising the annual Cuthy’s 200 bike ride , creating the Brothers in Arms Memorial Wall in Mowbray Park and its neighbouring Veterans’ Walk – all driven by keeping Nathan’s name alive. Photo: JPI Media