2018 marks the centenary of the year when (some) women in Britain were allowed to vote for the first time. It is also the year of the `Great Exhibition of the North' when we are reflecting on the North's past successes, drawing on these for future inspiration and aiming to encourage the aspirations of our young people, girls and boys. Angels of the North highlights forty women who are either from the North-East - or have strong connections to it. Some of these women are household names whereas others have significant achievements to their credit but are in danger of being forgotten. All of them are women to be proud of. The forty women cover many fields - the arts, politics, science, women's rights, business and sheer heroism. The book focuses on the successes, achievements and ambitions of these women, noting collaborations, friendships and common goals. It also underlines that north east women were the pioneers in many of these fields. The first `feminist literature' was written by a north-east woman, one of our women caused the first national `media frenzy', we had the first female cabinet minister and the first national beauty queen. Many of the women featured fought for women's rights and were suffragettes - it's important to record the role northern women played in that struggle, perhaps providing more energy, passion and sheer determination than other regions. Northerners may not be given to self-promotion and are not given to boasting, also in a Britain dominated by London-based media the North's achievements and accomplishments often seem to get overlooked. This book is a timely reminder and a celebration of some of our country's most remarkable and truly inspiring women.

About the Author
(RT HON BARONESS ) JOYCE QUIN Born and brought up on Tyneside, Joyce took a first in French at Newcastle University followed by a Master's degree in International Relations at the London School of Economics. Following a number of years as a Lecturer at Bath and Durham Universities she was elected MEP for Tyne and Wear in 1979. In 1987 she became Member of Parliament for Gateshead East and served as a Government Minister from 1997 to 2001. She was appointed to the House of Lords in 2006, taking as her title Baroness Quin of Gateshead. She is an Honorary Fellow of Sunderland University and of St. Mary's College, University of Durham. She is a Freeman of the Borough of Gateshead and in 2010 was made "Officier de la Legion d'Honneur" by the Government of France. Outside politics she has always been keenly interested in North-East local history and since the 1970s has been one of Newcastle's Volunteer City Guides. She also plays the Northumbrian pipes and is President of the Northumbrian Pipers' Society. In 2017 she took up an appointment as Chair of the Strategic Board of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums. She is the author of a book on the British Constitution which was published in 2010. She lives in Warkworth, Northumberland. MOIRA KILKENNY Moira has a degree in Modern History from Durham University and went on to Cavendish Square, London University for her Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Later she gained a Master's Degree from Newcastle University. She has taught or worked in Education for more than thirty years. She was a Senior Advisor/inspector in Durham LEA, before becoming Head of St. Philomena's High School for Girls in Surrey, a post she held for eleven years until her retirement. Throughout her life, her main aim has been to raise the confidence, aspiration and achievement levels of the young and especially girls. Now in retirement in Warkworth she enjoys being close to her grandchildren, she plays some golf, Chairs the Warkworth History Society and is a frequent visitor to the local archive offices in pursuit of fresh role models to inspire us all, old and young.

Reviews
It is fitting that in this year of the Great Exhibition of the North we pay tribute to some of the region's preeminent women and hope that their example can be an inspiration for the future. Rt. Hon. Baroness Betty Boothroyd, OM, PC;First, and to date - only Woman Speaker of the House of Commons;;I feel a kindred spirit with many of the amazing women highlighted in this important historic book, especially the two inspirational campaigners against slavery, Anna Richardson and Harriet Martineau. Also in this anniversary year of women being granted the right to vote, it is wonderful that the remarkable contribution of North-East women to the suffragette cause is being recognised. This book will act as a lasting legacy for future generations.;Baroness Floella Benjamin, OBE DL;Actress, writer, broadcaster, campaigner for diversity & children's wellbeing;;I love this book and the extraordinary women whose lives it describes. I'm ashamed to say I had only heard of about half of them and there were even fewer that I really knew anything about - but this fascinating and inspiring book has taught me great a deal about the `Angels of the North', if you're proud of the North East you need to read it.;John Grundy;Television presenter and historian;;This is an outstanding record of the talents and dedication of the women of the North East, each of them brilliant in her own field, whether its social reform, creativity, politics, travel, or innovation. Joyce Quin and Moira Kilkenny introduce you to women you will admire and cherish...pioneers who bring credit to the land that nurtured them.;Baroness Joan Bakewell DBE;Broadcaster and Journalist;;The North-East has produced an inspiring array of notable women who influenced lives in it and far beyond. In the year when we are celebrating the region's past and seeking inspiration from it for the future, here is an ideal way to pay tribute to them.;Anne McElvoy;Columnist and Broadcaster



Book Information
ISBN 9780951048863
Author Joyce Quin
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Tyne Bridge Publishing
Publisher Newcastle Libraries & Information Service