Derry women in focus on International Women's Day

Mary Nelis is a former politician from the Bogside

An outdoor exhibition featuring photographs of inspirational women from Londonderry has gone on display in the city.

The exhibition in Derry's Meenan Square is part of the Gasyard Féile's International Women's Day programme.

It features 48 portraits taken by photographer Jim McCafferty.

Politicians, community workers and sportswomen are among those being celebrated.

The women who feature were put forward for selection by those they have inspired

Former Sinn Féin MLA Mary Nelis is among those to feature.

She worked in Derry's shirt factory industry before representing Foyle in the Stormont assembly between 1998 and 2004.

"It's very complimentary of women who are so rarely acknowledged for all the great things that they do," she said.

"I think Derry has such amazing women and when you think back, the women of Derry were the economic backbone of the city.

"Working in the factories - that's where I began my career - Derry always had those inspiring women who didn't sit around.

"They got up and done things and made the city what it is today."

'Deeply honoured and very humbled'

Nominated by the public, the women were then chosen for how they inspire others.

Elaine Doherty, one of the project's organisers, said they were surprised by the volume of nominations.

"In Derry, you don't want to give yourself a tap on the back too often," Ms Doherty said.

"But you should feel proud of why you were nominated because someone took the time and effort to do it."

Jeanette Warke says she is very humbled to be included in the project

Jeanette Warke is the project manager of the Cathedral Youth Club in the Fountain Estate.

"To be honest I was shocked and I was very honoured because I don't really look at myself as being inspirational," Ms Warke said.

"At times I think it's all luck with me, but I thank the people who organised it very much.

"I had already nominated two people for it myself and never thought I was actually nominated until they arrived with the photographer.

"I do my job and I do it to the best of my ability and to be honest, I really like working with people no matter where they come from or who they are."

The exhibition in Meenan Square runs until 18 March.

Donna Tierney is a local business women from the Bogside area.

Ms Tierney said she was so proud when she learned she would be featured.

"I was even more overwhelmed when I came down to see the photographs of all the inspiring and amazing women here," Ms Tierney said.

"It's brilliant and I love being involved," she added.

The exhibition is funded by the Executive Office's Urban Villages programme and runs until 18 March.