To mark International Women’s Day, on March 8, 2022, we’ve rounded up just some of the area's inspirational women, in no particular order.
9. Wincey Willis, Weather presenter
Willis, pictured far right with TV-AM colleagues in 1984, is a former weather forecaster and television presenter who spent part of her life growing up in town. Her first name is apparently short for Winsome. Photo: Library photo
10. Gina McKee, Actress
Gina McKee was born in Peterlee and has become a successful British TV and film actress, who still retains her East Durham accent. Among the many hit series she's appeared in are Our Friends in the North, The Forsyte Saga, Waking the Dead and recent hit Bodyguard. Film-wise, she's appeared in Notting Hill, Atonement and many more. Photo: n/a
11. Phillipa Gregory, author
While not born in Hartlepool, the historical novelist, who was born in Kenya in 1954, has lengthy connections with the town and previously lived here. She's had dozens of books published and has had great success in the literary world. The best known of her works is The Other Boleyn Girl (2001), which in 2002 won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award . Photo: Library photo