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.
9. Hope Constance Monica Winch, Women in Science Pioneer
Pharmacy lecturer Hope Constance Monica Winch. In March 1921 she set up the finest pharmacy department in the North East at Sunderland Technical College, the forerunner of the modern university. Tragically in 1944, Hope Winch was killed in a climbing accident. However, university chiefs say strong foundations laid by this remarkable woman over her 22 years in Sunderland were enough to build on. Today, the University of Sunderland’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is recognised for its strong track record in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences and environmental sciences. Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Roz Anderson, said: "She was one of the earlier pioneers in building women’s confidence and showing them how they can make a difference in this industry.” Photo: Library photo
10. Dr Marion Phillips, Sunderland's first female MP
Dr Marion Phillips was honoured in 2019 when her blue plaque was ceremoniously unveiled in Foyle Street. Despite being an important campaigner for women's rights and Sunderland first female MP, Dr Marion Phillips is little known today. Her main relevance to Sunderland is that she became its first female MP at the 1929 general election; the first election in which women’s voting rights were equal to men’s. She was actually born in Melbourne, Australia in 1881, but moved to the UK in 1904. She graduated from the London School of Economics before working on the Royal Commission into the Poor Laws, researching public health, medical relief and the treatment of destitute children. This helped create the welfare state in the 1940s, providing a safety net for society’s very poorest. She was recently celebrated by Sunderland Culture's Rebel Women of Sunderland project, in which artist Kathryn Robertson created artworks of the city's famous women. Photo: Kathryn Robertson / Sunderland Culture
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 last year’s 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 have raised thousands by racing into the sea at Seaburn each year. Photo: JPI Media
Olympian Aly Dixon has had huge success in long distance running and is the current 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. Photo: JPI Media