An academic expert at the University of Sunderland appeared on Songs of Praise ahead of International Women's Day today to talk about her 'Rebel Women' project.
Angela Smith, who is a Professor of Language and Culture spoke on the BBC programme about some of the women who are a part of the Rebel Women of Sunderland Project.
The project gives exposure to the lives of Rebel Women from Wearside with personally commissioned artworks being produced and stories shared.
Go here for more Sunderland news and updates from Sunderland Live
Nominations for the project were initially crowd-sourced through social media, with over 100 nominations of inspiring women who were born and raised across the city of Sunderland before 10 were chosen for the final project.
The first ever female MP of Sunderland, Dr Marion Phillips made the list, alongside Margaret Dryburgh, who was a teacher and missionary in Singapore throughout the Second World War.
Activists Ida and Louise cook who smuggled those of the Jewish faith out of Nazi Germany also made the final ten, with English footballers Jill Scott and Steph Houghton, singer/songwriter Emilie Sande, and journalist Kate Adie also selected to name a few.
You can see the full list of entries below:
- Dr Marion Philips - who was the first ever female MP of Sunderland
- Margaret Dryburgh - a teacher and missionary in Singapore during WWII
- Ida and Louise Cook - activists who smuggled Jews out of Nazi Germany during WWII
- Elizabeth Donnison - who founded the Donnison School which educated poor girls in the late 18th century
- Hope Winch - the first ever head of the University’s pharmacy department
- Kenickie (Lauren Laverne, Marie Nixon and Emma Jackson) - who are one of the most famous female-led bands to come from Wearside
- Steph Houghton and Jill Scott - female footballers who represented their country on a national level
- Abbie Robinson - a Team GB paraclimber
- Kate Adie- a successful journalist and broadcaster
- Emeli Sande - a singer-songwriter and Chancellor of the University of Sunderland
Behind the illustrations and stories of the successful ladies was Kathryn Robertson - who has also created various murals across the city - and as writer Jessica Andrews, who recently won the coveted Portico Prize for her debut novel entitled Saltwater.
Professor Smith touched on the inspiration for the project which she is also a part of, surrounded by a plethora of commissioned artwork, during her interview with Songs of Praise at local café, Pop Recs LTD.
Speaking on the BBC One programme, she said: "The inspiration comes from the absence of women in the way we think about society and culture.
"There are a lot of representations of men around the country and around Sunderland, but very few of women.
"So for example, in Sunderland we have more Blue Plaques commemorating people called George than we have of women in total. But this doesn't mean that women didn't do anything, so this is a way of celebrating what women have done."
Various other locations were also visited by camera crews at the BBC while in Sunderland, including St Peter's Church in Monkwearmouth, where they met with Senior Lecturer Dr Miguel Gomes Gargamala.
University Chaplain Chris Howson was also spoken to regarding his love of stained glass at Sunderland Minster, while the National Glass Centre itself also made a feature in the programme.
Songs of Praise was broadcast at 1.15pm on Sunday (March 6), but those who have missed it can catch it on the BBC iPlayer.
