IWD 2019: Celebrating Women’s Empowerment
| 6th March 2019
March is Women’s History Month and with it brings International Women’s Day (IWD) this Friday.
Occurring for well over a century now, International Women’s Day is a renowned globally seeing millions celebrate social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
With Manchester being the birthplace of the Suffragettes movement, it’s only fitting to look at some of the biggest events happening this week around Manchester. Keep an eye out for this year’s campaign theme of #BalanceforBetter which is all about a balanced world being a better world.
Are you aware just how far women’s rights have come? For example, did you know that in the 1900s it was quite common for men and husbands to take credit for women’s achievements?
Did you also know that single working women applying for a mortgage in the 1970s required a male guarantor – which was actually the case until as late as 1980.
The Suffragettes and Manchester-born Emmeline Pankhurst were the ones who earned women their right to vote in 1918. Have you ever wondered what life might be like if women didn’t get the vote in 1918? Check out this women’s rights feature and then make sure to check out some key IWD events below to help celebrate.
When: Until Sunday 10th March 2019
Where: The John Rylands Library, Manchester
Check it out before it’s gone! This exhibition has been running since September 2018 and this weekend marks the ‘Women Who Shaped Manchester’ exhibition last opening. Head over to the John Rylands Library and delve into the history of women’s rights during 19th and 20th Century Manchester – experience the city through the words and actions of extraordinary women.
100 Voices For 100 Years Launch Event
When: Thursday 7th March 2019, 7pm to 9.30pm
Where: The Pankhurst Centre, Manchester
Head over to the Pankhurst Centre, the birthplace of the Suffragette movement, for an informative evening filled with exclusive book readings and the launch of 100 Voices, an inspiring collection of a hundred women’s stories. Discover readings by Manchester’s finest women writers, meet the authors and join the debate.
Mr Thomas’s Chop House To Become Mrs Sarah’s Chop House
When: Thursday 7th to Friday 8th March 2019
Where: Mr Thomas’s Chop House, 52 Cross St, Manchester
The iconic Mr Thomas’s Chop House on Cross Street will be transforming into Mrs Sarah’s Chop House on 7th March, just ahead of International Women’s Day. The transformation will be in honour of Sarah, a woman who ran the pub during an era when women were not allowed in public houses. Sarah Senior, and then her daughter Sarah Junior ran the Victorian Chop House from 1875 to 1901.
International Women’s Day Event
When: Friday 8th March 2019, 1-4pm
Where: The Pankhurst Centre, Manchester
The Pankhurst Centre – Number 62, Nelson Street was the home of Emmeline Pankhurst. The first meeting of the Women’s Social and Political Union (later known as the Suffragettes movement) took place in the parlour. So what would be more empowering than to visit the house where Emmeline Pankhurst lived, on International Women’s Day? Visit this small museum and heritage centre and find out all about the story behind women’s right to vote and the Pankhurst family.
International Women’s Weekender
When: Friday 8th to Sunday 10th March 2019
Where: HOME cinema, Manchester
As part of their impressive year-long celebration of women in global cinema, HOME cinema in Manchester is marking International Women’s Day 2019 with a weekend of special events for the whole family, events which will help magnify the voice of women’s movements around the world. Some of the events include new film releases, live music, courses, as well as crafts and storytelling.