West Midlands celebrates Women's History Month

Wolves Women celebrate their 50th anniversary this year

Achievements of women past and present are being celebrated, from scientists and writers to today's business leaders and sports pioneers.

Museum curators have used Women's History Month to focus on untold stories, while chambers of commerce are holding talks to learn from success.

International Women's Day is on 8 March, but talks, walks and exhibitions are planned all month across the West Midlands region.

Jenny Wilkes, chair of Wolves Women, will be speaking about roadblocks women face, role models to inspire them, and self-belief, as the football team celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Ms Wilkes, who has been chair since 1999, said women still faced roadblocks and unconscious bias was "one of the big things", together with imposter syndrome.

In football, people still think women cannot play, and cannot be pundits or be on the TV, she said.

But she said role models were important and "if you can see it, you can be it".

Now, when the women play, it is not just girls who turn up wanting autographs, but boys too, she said.

She said confidence mattered, adding: "Women don't think they can do it - but it's about self-belief."

Ms Wilkes will give a talk for the Black Country Chamber of Commerce at Molineux, as an exhibition on Wolves Women is launched at the Wolves museum at the stadium.

Wolves Women as they are now - half a century after the team was formed

Among the other organisations staging events is Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, which said its event sold out last year.

It said it had planned "another memorable gathering" with guests including fire service chiefs, a voice coach and an HR expert on military careers.

Meanwhile, Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce will hear from three trailblazers who have spearheaded initiatives in gut health, pet safety and online fitness.

George Eliot was described as one of Warwickshire's most famous women

The month-long focus on women's history includes several talks at museums in the region.

The Brampton Museum in Newcastle-under-Lyme will look at women passed over as "just wives", when in fact they "made their mark on their times".

Selly Manor Museum in Birmingham is holding a sold-out symposium looking at the life of Dame Elizabeth Cadbury and the role and expectations of women in late Victorian society.

Staffordshire History Centre will look at the work of 19th Century astronomer Mary Blagg, who lived in Cheadle, but whose "studies took her to the stars as she mapped the moon and revolutionised our modern understanding".

Talks, walks and exhibitions are being held all month

Meanwhile, cycling group Coventry CTC is celebrating the achievements of the author George Eliot by pedalling 26 miles to places linked with the writer, described as one of Warwickshire's most famous women.

The club said it had promoted and developed women in its own activities and the event provided "a good time to reflect on how that mission should develop".

A women's history walk in Lichfield will explore the lives of women with links to the town across the centuries, who displayed "agency and achievement".

Worcester Trades Union Council will remember women's struggles and resistance

Events focusing on women at work include talks at the University of Wolverhampton, which is bringing women in creative industries together.

The Jam House in Birmingham will celebrate women in law, with a chance for professionals to network and exchange ideas.

Environmentalists will hold a panel discussion at Hereford's Green Dragon Hotel to "shine a light on the challenges women face, while celebrating their contributions".

Herefordshire Women's Equality Group will champion women at work, including trailblazing achievements and the everyday.

And Worcester Trades Union Council will remember the struggles and resistance of women around the world and "celebrate the many achievements that have been won", with a day of exhibitions, presentations, music, poetry, craft and campaigning stalls.