Exploring the Lives of Extraordinary Belfast Women

To mark Women’s History Month throughout March, EastSide Partnership has announced a series of free virtual talks exploring the lives of extraordinary women from and beyond east Belfast and the historical events that shaped them.

Women's History Month takes place every year during March and celebrates the contributions of women throughout history and in contemporary society. It includes the annual International Women's Day (IWD) which occurs on 8th March, the campaign theme for International Women's Day 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge.

The virtual talks will feature internationally renowned and highly acclaimed Belfast-born historian Professor Marianne Elliott who will explore the ‘scandalous life’ of east Belfast woman Annie Copeland and well-known historian, writer and academic Dr Myrtle Hill who will discuss women’s contribution to a range of campaigns including the struggles for the female vote.

The talks will also include a panel of several participants from the EastSide Lives heritage project talking about discovering and researching the stories of extraordinary women from east Belfast. Some of these extraordinary women are featured in the EastSide Lives Heritage Trail.

Key dates:

  • 11th March 7.30pm:  ‘A remarkable woman': Annie Copeland and the Belfast housing scandal of 1953 with Professor Marianne Elliott, via Zoom.
     
  • 25th March 7.30pm:  Right & Realities: Exploring Women’s Aspirations and Activism in the Decade of Partition with Dr Myrtle Hill, via Zoom.
     
  • 31st March 7.30pm: The Women of EastSide Lives: a discussion on fascinating women from east Belfast with EastSide Lives heritage project participants via Zoom.
     

Looking forward to the talks Lisa Rea Currie, Heritage Officer at EastSide Partnership said:

“It’s a privilege to be part of showcasing these fascinating stories of Belfast women. Women’s stories are recorded less often and harder to research, so I am pleased that we will be welcoming such accomplished speakers as Marianne Elliott and Myrtle Hill to share their work, as well as having a chance to revisit some of the stories uncovered by our community researchers through our EastSide Lives project.”

The series of talks has been made possible with funding from Belfast City Council, administered by East Belfast Community Development Agency on behalf of East Belfast Covid-19 Reference Group.

Book your tickets here

#womenshistorymonth