Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, will host a regional celebration for International Women’s Day at Middlesbrough Theatre on March 8, 2026. The event, organised by WOW North East, aims to bring local residents together to recognise the achievements of women and non-binary people from across the region.
The afternoon will mark the official start of a photography project called The Hope Brigade: North East. This exhibition features 26 portraits of inspirational people from the area, captured by photographer Joanne Coates.
The project is a partnership between The WOW Foundation and the Stockton and Darlington Railway bicentenary project. Visitors can expect an afternoon filled with local stories, interviews, and performances that focus on reasons to be hopeful in the community, including appearances by local activists such as Heather Wood.
After its debut in Middlesbrough, the portrait collection is set to travel to several other locations throughout the North East. The celebration follows a previous festival held in 2025 and continues the work of foundation founder Jude Kelly in highlighting the identity and history of the region.
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