Women's History Month - International Women's Day

Throughout ancient and modern history, women have collaborated and lead purposeful action to redress inequality in the hope of a better future for their communities, children and themselves. It was the Suffragettes who started International Women's Day, with the first officially named 'lnternational Women's Day' event held in 1911. This day continues to be an important platform for action while celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women.

For this occasion, we’ve picked a new addition to the archive – a short documentary film featuring Belfast’s first female Lord Mayor. Grace Bannister served as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1975–1976, and in 1979 was appointed High Sheriff of Belfast. In 1981 she was elected as the first female Lord Mayor of Belfast, beating Paddy Devlin and Stewart McCrea. As a woman in such prestigious position she helped to drive change for gender parity.

Apart from stunning aerial photography of Belfast, the documentary is also an interesting study of gender as Adeline Semple's belief that the city is slow to accept women as equals is echoed in the everyday sexism embedded in the film.