A new initiative which aims to capture the images of 100 inspiring local women launched to mark International Women's Day (March 8).

From the front-line workers who have kept us going during the pandemic, to The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek - the 41st bishop of the city and the first woman to serve as a diocesan bishop in the Church of England - women in Gloucester have proven, on countless occasions, their indomitable, pioneering spirit.

The project being run by the Museum of Gloucester and local charity Hundred Heroines, aims to show the incredible contributions of women to everyday life in Gloucester.

It will see the portraits of 100 heroinic women taken by 100 women photographers and displayed at the Museum in a special exhibition in December.

To help kickstart the project, Hundred Heroines, the only UK charity dedicated to celebrating women in photography, and Gloucester Museum are appealing for local women to get involved.

They'd like people to nominate a local heroine and share their image with the tag #100GlosHeroines or online at www.MuseumOfGloucester.co.uk/HundredHeroines 

Workshops to encourage more women to take up photography and take part will be held later in the year at Jolt.

Also as part of International Women's Day, the Guildhall will be playing host to a special performance by South African-British poet, writer and filmmaker Thembe Mvula starting at 7pm on Tuesday, March 8.

Thembe is an alum of the Roundhouse Poetry Collective, Barbican Young Poets and the inaugural Obsidian Foundation retreat. She has performed nationally and internationally, previously headlining at Uniqlo Tate Lates, Jawdance and Oslo Afro Arts Festival. Her TEDx talk has been translated into different languages including Mandarin and Cantonese.

Following her live performance there will be a preview screening of Clio Barnard's new film Ali & Ava (15). It's a heartfelt contemporary love story written and directed by BAFTA-nominated Clio Barnard.

Councillor Collette Finnegan, Mayor of Gloucester, said: "It's incredibly important to mark International Women's Day remembering the contributions that women from throughout Gloucester make to life in the city. This is a fantastic project that will help to share and collect these powerful stories that represent and empower our communities."

Hundred Heroines founder and chair Del Barrett said: "We are incredibly excited to be partnering with the Museum of Gloucester to bring together such inspirational women. We hope these portraits of local heroines will emphasise the importance of empowering women 365 days a year - not just on International Women's Day.

"Hundred Heroines is proud to be doing just that, and we're looking forward to working with communities in Gloucester to raise greater awareness of the heroines throughout 2022."