IT'S International Women's Day - so we have rounded up some of the amazing women in the Tynedale area.
Zoe Philipson
Owner of Tyne Valley Ices, Zoe Phillipson is a well-known name around Hexham and district areas. Not only for the delicious ice cream but for her charity work.
Zoe continously donates large bags of sugar to the West Northumberland Food Bank - something she started during Covid and is an advocate for businesses in Hexham by promoting local shops.
Two years ago she also won 'Mobiler of the Year 2022' and has won awards almost every year.
Suzanne Fairless-Aitken
Suzanne was elected to serve on Northumberland County Council in 2021.
She is also the founder of the Hexham Wombles litter group which makes sure Hexham is tidier for residents and tourists.
She also is an advocate for the former Hexham Middle School site, the former bus station and EV chargers.
Susan is also a school governor, activist and campaigner and works for international poetry publisher, Bloodaxe Books.
Penny Grennan
Penny Grennan is a Hexham town councillor who is also an author and musician.
Her book, 'Objectivity', delves into the fascinating stories behind items bought from the town's historic shops.
For her book, Ms Grennan also conducted extensive interviews with the local residents of Hexham.
The book documents the objects they purchased, shedding light on the personal narratives attached to the items.
The book is part of the Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme, with a focus on highlighting the town's retail legacy through these personal tales.
She is also a member of The Cherry Pickers, Hexham Village Band and Hexham Bluegrass, has crafted her album, titled 'No Relation’, with songs all penned by her.
Alison Smith
Alison Smith is ran as an independent candidate for the Leazes ward in the Hexham town council elections in 2021 and won!
Alison, also owns the shop Matthias Winter, on Hallstile Bank and has been nominated for several awards.
She is also a charity fundraiser and recently collected plastic tubs and lids used to contain sweets and biscuits for Greene King's recycling scheme, Tub2Pub this year.
Zoe Keen
For 12 years, Zoe Keen, a volunteer at the Torch Centre in Hexham, has been fundraising for the social club to make sure it remains a safe place for all members of the public who need it.
Zoe, who is now the caretaker and bar manager of the centre, has no plans of stopping her fundraising efforts in her new role.
Rosie Gilchrist
Rosie Gilchrist, 32, of Hexham is the founder of Rosie’s Corner, a children's foodbank.
Recently the family drop-in service has been awarded ‘charity’ status.
Rosie constantly works hard highlights the importance of why the charity helps kids and families.
Katrin Auld
Katrin Auld orginally from Sweden, has put her stamp on the town by volunteering at Hexham Community Partnership events or by being a town host several times a month.
She also helps bring culture to the town by organising and promoting her hometown festival of Sankta Lucia, which is officially observed in Sweden on December 13.
Lyndsey Ruttersford
Lyndsey Ruttersford, co-owner of Corbridge Sandwich Bar, has been praised for raising over £8,000 for different charities since lockdown via her non-profit organisation 'Cash for Causes'.
Lyndsey set it up during lockdown to cheer the community up and has continued to fundraise money for different projects in Tynedale.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here