In celebration of International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March 2022, Southampton City Council will host a series of online and in-person events.
Events include a women’s wellbeing event in Central Library, an online talk called I can’t hear you over your trousers’ The History of Women Wearing Trousers and an evening online keynote speaker event with talks from a fantastic range local inspirational women who have contributed to our great city.
In addition, the International Women’s Day flag will be flying at the front of the Civic Centre and the Civic Centre Clock Tower, the Southampton 02 Guildhall and Southampton City Art Gallery will all be lit purple for the day.
This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias and Southampton City Council pledges to break the bias against women and girls – both on International Women’s Day and beyond.
In line with our desire to be more inclusive in all we do and celebrate difference and overcome bias, the Council alongside other city organisations have come together to create an Inclusion Pledge as part of our city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025.
Leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Daniel Fitzhenry, said: “Southampton is a diverse city where difference is valued and celebrated. This International Women’s Day we want to celebrate local Southampton women inspirational to both men and women who have made our city the great place it is.”
International Women’s Day Online Keynote Speaker Event
On Tuesday 8 March 2022 7.15pm to 8.30pm a free virtual event via Microsoft Teams will see talks from local women who have achieved success and made a real contribution to our city, from industries such as politics, engineering, education, retail management, community activism and culture. As always, the event promises to be inspiring to the women and men of Southampton.
Guest speakers include:
- Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North and Chair of the Parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee
- Siria Sarmiento – Graduate Highways Design Engineer, Balfour Beatty
- Karen Stanton – Vice Chancellor, Solent University
- Laura Read – General Manager, Westquay
- Sal Robinson – Community Activist, WASPI Campaign
- Claire Whitaker – Bid Director, UK City of Culture
There will be an opportunity to ask the speakers questions via a moderated chat feature at the event.
Sign up here: https://soton.cc/IWDevent2022
Women’s Wellbeing Event
Southampton Central Library will be celebrating International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March between 12pm and 4pm with a drop in event showcasing a range of businesses, organisations and charities who will be showcasing their services and support for women, parents and families.
Come and meet a range of organisations as they share information about the services, support and advice they offer locally. Attending organisations, include: MAST Mayflower Studios, Saints Foundation, Yellow Door, Age UK Southampton, Microlink, Hampshire FA, Macmillan Cancer Support, Kadampa Meditation Centre Southampton, Communicare in Southampton and many more.
Special workshops taking place on the day, include:
12:30pm-1:30pm and 2:30pm-3:30pm – Drama for Wellbeing with MAST Mayflower Studios
1:30pm-2pm – Meditation Taster Session with Kadampa Meditation Centre Southampton
1:30pm-2pm – Rhyme Time for under 5s with Southampton City Libraries
Find out more and see the full list of exhibitors at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-womens-day-fair-tickets-275594018127
Online Talk: I can’t hear you over your trousers’ The History of Women Wearing Trousers
Did you know that women barristers were not allowed to wear trousers in court until 1995? Or it was only in 2020 that Japan Airlines allowed their women flight attendants to wear trousers?
Join historian Becky Sharp on Tuesday 8 March at 7pm for an online talk to discover the long history of women being told what to wear.
Tickets cost from £4.50. Book here – www.wegottickets.com/event/529973
OTHER INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EVENTS TAKING PLACE ACROSS SOUTHAMPTON*:
New exhibition at God’s House Tower celebrating Inspirational Women Artists
Southampton visual arts organisation ‘a space’ arts are launching their latest free to visit exhibition – Inspirational Women Artists at God’s House Tower, which is open until Sunday 6 March 2022.
The exhibition will showcase over 100 artists and creatives from the UK and around the world who have submitted artworks inspired by their favourite female-identifying and non-binary artists.
Featuring photography, painting, graphic design and embroidery, the exhibition explores the impact of inspirational women artists past and present and how their legacy has inspired the practitioners of today.
A closing celebration event will be held at GHT on Tuesday 8th March from 6pm – 10pm. Tickets are free and are available here.
The University of Southampton’s Inspiring Women: International Women’s Day event
The University of Southampton’s International Women’s Day online event on Tuesday 8 March 6pm-7pm will showcase three influential women from Southampton’s Academic and Alumni community. These graduates of Southampton will discuss their hugely successful careers across a variety of sectors.
The link to register is: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/southamptons-inspiring-women-international-womens-day-tickets-251982003957
Speaker Series featuring Veronica Gordon by Social Impact Lab – University of Southampton
In the first conversation of 2022, Impact Lab will be hosting Veronica Gordon, the founder of Our Version Media CIC based in Southampton. Veronica is a former broadcast journalist who combined her 15 years’ journalism expertise with her fifteen years of community activism to create Our Version Media. Her media career spans Unity 101 Community Radio, BBC local radio, ITV regional news and digital media. Veronica will join Dr Pathik Pathak on Tuesday 8th March at 6PM to discuss her social entrepreneurship journey and celebrate International Women’s Day who #BreakTheBias.
This will be a hybrid event. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/speaker-series-featuring-veronica-gordon-tickets-274067281617
*Please note that these are not Southampton City Council run events.
