“22 Leaders, Change Makers & Rising Stars” Bolton book launch

The book “22 Leaders, Change Makers & Rising Stars” was put together by Gulnaz Brennan, CEO of the SheInspires Group and organiser of the SheInspires Awards.

She wanted to celebrate “the astonishing women’s movement invented in Bolton” through its change makers and to chart its future via its rising stars.

And a large number of these important individuals and their families attended the launch event when one of them – charity CEO Maura Jackson – was the host.

She offered a brief history of remarkable local women – from Annie Barlow whose travels in Egypt helped kickstart Bolton’s renowned Egyptology collection to the town’s first female Mayor Helen Wright and to suffragette Sarah Reddish.

The town’s modern women leaders honoured included insurance boss Jackie Hyde, Honorary Alderman Carole Swarbrick, solicitor and Hospice chair Judith Bromley, consumer ambassador Christine Baldwin, businesswoman Gail Hounslea and Fortalice Chief Executive Gill Smallwood.

The rising stars numbered Lydia German from the digital world, England boxing coach Sannah Adam, GP Dr Zaheda Idris Atcha, health and wellbeing guru Mandy Worsley and family law expert Jenna Louise Atkinson among them.

As Gulnaz Brennan stated: “The women in this book are all role models for the next generation of female leaders. They all inspire me. Every one of them.”

This is the latest tribute to the women of Bolton.

For the Brilliant Bolton Women feature in The Albert Halls highlights the contribution to the town and beyond of 11 significant local women.

Photographs of each of the women take pride of place along a corridor leading to The Festival Hall and Lancaster Suite – venues for functions and conferences.

Their images are interspersed with striking artwork representing the textile patterns of Bolton-based firm Joseph Johnson Ltd and Bolton designer Constance Howarth, who is also featured in the Brilliant Bolton Women montage.