Busy International Women's Day diary for Rotherham

EVENTS are taking place across Rotherham today to mark International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day is a global day marked every March 8 with celebrations of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and has been observed since the early 1900s.

Women from across the county will listen to a series of inspirational women at Tankersley Manor before the annual Athena Awards ceremony.

The event this afternoon is organised by the Women in Business group from Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, whose chair, Jackie Freeborn, said: “This will be a fantastic afternoon celebrating some of the amazing achievements of women in business.”

Speakers include Sile Moyo, who, despite still being at school has already spoken at the House of Lords on Education and Ann Wilson, managing director of Numill who was awarded an MBE in the 2015 honours list.

The Athena International Awards will see one of the region’s women recognised for her achievements and leadership.

WI members in Goldthorpe are also marking the achievements of womankind with an International Women’s Day celebration today at the village library from 10am to 2pm.

Rotherham United, meanwhile, are marking the date with a host of activities at tonight’s home game against Middlesbrough.

The club’s Community Sports Trust has been working hard in recent years to continue the upward trend in female participation and attendance and guests tonight include women who have taken part in its Boot Camp Sessions.

The Boot Camp groups were set up primarily to give women the opportunity to take part in what has been traditionally male dominated areas of sport and exercise.

The sessions now run weekly in Blackburn, Eastwood and Thornhill, with over 50 women attending from all different backgrounds.

The club will also be showing its commitment to using both ball boys and ball girls at home games.

MEP Linda McAvan held an International Women’s Day lunch in Rotherham on Friday to raise awareness of the date.

And the celebrations continue this weekend at Clifton Park with the first Great Girlie Gala.

There will be around 50 stalls offering therapies, business advice - plus a display from burlesque dancers.

How are you marking International Women's Day? Tweet us your photos @rotherhamtiser or email [email protected].