INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: Celebrating East Lancashire ladies who have made their mark...

THE International Women’s Day campaign theme this year is #BeBoldForChange which calls on women to help forge a better working and a more gender inclusive world.

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Fighting for a better world was something Barbara Castle, who was the MP for Blackburn from 1945 to 1979 and who held a number of cabinet positions including transport minister and employment minister, was no stranger to.

Cllr Maureen Bateson said she was an inspiration for a lot of women in the Labour party and gave them a voice.

She remembered her campaigning to abolish the penny charge for women to use public toilets when it was free for men.

She said: “Barbara Castle was successful in getting that changed and she stormed parliament when campaigning on the cotton trade.

“She did not suffer fools gladly. She would hold onto your arm and bang the table and people would listen.

“I do not think we got the best of her, we did in Blackburn but not nationally. It was still a male-oriented Labour Party at the time.”

Now Labour MPs, Julie Cooper who represents Burnley and Blackburn MP Kate Hollern are two of the 191 women serving in the House of Commons and both now hold shadow ministerial positions.

Another Lancashire woman who was passionate about social change was Rachel Kay Shuttleworth, born in 1886 she founded the Gawthorpe Hall Textiles Collection.

Rachel Pollitt, museum manager at Gawthorpe Hall, said: “She was someone who felt it was perfectly acceptable for women to be strong, to be leading the way on things, making their own minds up and moving into areas of work.

“She did not see gender as a big issue. You were a person and could make the most of opportunities and get on with it.

“One example was the girl guide movement. She was there at the inception. She felt it was important.

“There were a lot of people who felt empowered by the way she gave them responsibility and helped them learn to be leaders and mentored them to held them develop their own opportunities.”

Culturally East Lancashire produced one of the world’s greatest singers, Kathleen Ferrier, whose father was a headteacher in Blackburn. Kathleen, who died in 1953 toured the world performing in operas.

Best selling writer Josephine Cox also hails from the town, while acclaimed author Jeanette Winterson is from Accrington.

Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street and is now featuring in ITV’s hit drama Broadchurch, is also from Church.

Then there are sports stars inspiring the youth of tomorrow. Hammer thrower Sophie Hitchon and goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis are both women, who are leaders in their field, who hail from Burnley.

Children’s author Christina Gabbitas, who went to Blackburn College, has been shortlisted for a Northern Power Women Award after setting up a national initiative to encourage more than 15,000 children to have a go at writing.

She said: “Being nominated has made me feel that maybe I could be helping to make a difference.

“If you have a passion and believe in what you are doing others will believe in you.

“We are all capable of achieving our goals with determination and self belief.

“International Women’s Day is a positive force for any women to be associated with. We need more women to shout about themselves, encourage others to be bold and believe in themselves more.”

To celebrate women who are making a difference to people’s lives across the borough, Blackburn with Darwen Council chose five women to appear in a poster campaign.

They include Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall, Susan Wolstenholme, chairman of Blackburn Road Runners and Shigufta Khan, chief executive officer at The Wish Centre.

Shigufta, who has been in her role for around 10 years, said she is constantly inspired by the bravery of the people that they help.

She said: “We help to empower people and make them stronger but it is the survivors themselves who often go on to volunteer to help change the lives of others.

“For me International Women’s Day is important because I believe that there needs to be gender parity and equality and we are a long way from it which is shocking in 2017.

“International women’s day gives people a day to celebrate the achievement of women and also a day for campaigning on equality.”

Another poster star is dedicated foster carer and grandma-of-seven Joan Connelly from Darwen.

The 70-year-old started fostering after helping a family who had escaped from North Korea.

The mother had returned to the country to find her son leaving Joan to take care of her daughter.

She said: “I’ve fostered a real variety of children and absolutely love all of them, they are so much fun and in some ways they are what keeps me young. It can be hard work at times but it’s your job show them the right way.”

Meanwhile 17-year-old Emily Hirst has been celebrated for her involvement in several community projects including a campaign to restore the Pleasington Book of Remembrance Building at Pleasington Cemetery.

Cllr Bateson, who spearheaded the council’s campaign this year, said: “There are so many women doing such a great job.

“Women are coming together. They have been magnificent in their response to the poster campaign.

“The theme is Be Bold for Change.

“There are times when a woman feels that they can’t go any further and we are saying you can make a change even with the smallest thing.

“I would urge people to recognise the special women in their life this International Women’s Day – say something to them or give them a gift.”

As part of a week of events she attended a Blackburn Rovers game with young women from Blackburn Youth Zone.

She said: “Blackburn Rovers has been highlighting the fact that the organisation is run by powerful women.

“When you see 22 men on a football pitch you do not realise there are a lot of women behind the scenes who have been there for a long time.”

Here are a list of International Women's Day events:

Wednesday, March 8

10am: Apple Trees Short Break Unit, Kelshall Avenue, Little Harwood. Aimed at mothers and female carers of children and young people with a disability. Range of activities. Call 01254 666711.

10am to 3pm: Pop up stalls in Victoria Court, The Mall, Blackburn and Blackburn Market.

10am to noon: Be Bold For Change: Laughter and lunch featuring guest speakers including head of crime at Lancashire Police Susannah Clarke, Anjum Anwar MBE and Margo Grimshaw at Hopwood Court, 1 William Hopwood Street, Blackburn. To book call Sam on 01254 266620.

2.15pm: Dreams for our Daughters decorated tree outside Blackburn Cathedral with singers Decibelles.

6pm: Girl Power! A challenge to raise money for District without Abuse Women’s Refuge Charity. A one hour boot camp style training session at Unit2Fitness for Women, Parkside Units Albert St. Mill Hill. Call 07939 832216.

5.30pm to 7pm: Drop-in for young people aged 16-24 at Go2 Young Peoples service in Inspire House, 3 Exchange Street, Blackburn. Young women can have alternative therapies including acupuncture and Indian head massage. There will also be free food, pampering and support between 9am and 5pm.

8pm to 9pm: Celebrating women in sport (Community Cohesion Netball Event) at Blackburn Leisure Centre. West Pennine Netball Club and Blackburn United Ladies Netball Team. For more information call 01254 505690.

7pm: Blackburn Road Runners at compound opposite car park in Witton Park. Women can run three or six miles with the club on the local 'Livesey Loop ' route. Runners can wear any item of purple or photo of the women who inspired them to commemorate the day. Men are actively welcome to join in the celebration followed by complimentary drink at Cherry Tree Cricket Club on Preston Old Rd afterwards.

All Children’s Centres in Blackburn and Darwen will be holding a variety of activities to celebrate women through activities, workshops and a market place. The community cafes will be offering cream teas, crafts, raffles and information all week from 9am to 5pm.

Little Harwood Children’s Centre, breast health awareness, 9.30am to 11.30am

Hancock Street Children’s Centre, healthy cooking and eating, 1pm to 3pm

Shadsworth Children’s Centre, hand massage, 1pm to 3pm

Highercroft Children’s Centre, fun with wool, 9.30am to 11.30am

Wensley Fold Children’s Centre, henna art, 9.30am to 11.30am.

Darwen Children’s Centre, ante-natal exercise sessions, 1pm to 3pm.

Audley Children’s Centre, personal safety sessions, 9.30am to 11.30am

Livesey Children’s Centre, body balance, 1pm to 3pm.

Bangor St. Community Centre Introduction to aromatherapy 9.30am-12.30pm

HUMRAAZ Successful Women Challenge (research session for service users). Call (01254) 674312.

Thursday, March 9.

9.30am to 12.30pm: Introduction to massage at Audley Neighbourhood Learning Centre. Call (01254) 507720 to book.

10am to 2pm: Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre, Health and Wellbeing event aimed at women aged 16 and over. Includes taster classes including Deep Water Fitness, information stands/freebies, a prize draw and refreshments.

Friday, March 10.

HUMRAAZ, which offers support services to black and minority ethnic women. Mannequin Challenge with staff and residents followed by “High Tea”- cakes and sandwiches. Call 01254 674312.

7.30pm: Blackburn Women’s Centre involved with the amateur drama production “Bryan, The Witches & The Gynophobes” at the Civic Arts Centre, Union Rd, Oswaldtwistle.

Tickets- £5 on sale now from on 01254 871771. Funds will go towards Lancashire Women’s Centres.

Saturday, March 11

10.30am to 11.30am: One Voice - holding a gathering to celebrate IWD showcasing work on mental health, dementia, adult safeguarding and the Women’s Network at Bangor Street Community Centre. Contact 01254 790711.

11am: A discussion on the role of women in public life at Blackburn Central Library. Chaired by Cllr Maureen Bateson and local speakers.

Sunday, March 12.

3pm to 5pm: Blackburn Youth Zone's women-only Zumbathon in Jubilee Street. Open to women and girls aged eight and over. Entry is 50p for girls up to18 and £2.50 for adults.