Of Women

Explore Anne Lister’s diaries, learn about the gender health gap, and more. Conduct research on women in history and hear about the adventures of extraordinary women.

As Good as a Marriage: The Anne Lister diaries


Tempest Anderson Hall, Museum Gardens

Award-winning writer and historian Jill Liddington discusses Anne Lister’s 1836-38 diaries, focusing on Anne’s relationship with wealthy local heiress Ann Walker.

Fearless: Adventures with extraordinary women


Tempest Anderson Hall, Museum Gardens

Join BBC presenter and Team GB triathlete Louise Minchin for a celebration of adventurous, brave, courageous women who are doing extraordinary things through sport, exercise and a love of the great outdoors.

Reimagining Cartimandua: The original Queen Guinevere?


Join historian Gillian Waters for an exploration of a love triangle that may have been the inspiration for the medieval Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot stories.

Communicating About Bodies During Childbirth


Explore Haxby and Wigginton Library, Reid Park

This workshop, hosted by University of York sociologists, will explore how women communicate their body sensations during labour, and the ways in which midwives respond.

Sita: The multifaceted heroine of Ramayana


The Guildhall

In this concert, musicians Supriya Nagarajan and Duncan Chapman take you on a wonderful journey into the world of Sita, the queen of Ayodhya and central figure in the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana.

Slums or Formal Housing? Looking through urban women’s eyes


Human geographer Anika Haque of the University of York discusses the importance of gender equality for sustainable development.

Rediscovering Women's Lives


The Mount School, Dalton Terrace

Our panel of experts investigate the ways women continue to be omitted from historical records, and discuss how we can better preserve women’s stories and voices.

Researching Women in History


The Mount School Library, Dalton Terrace

Join us for an exciting opportunity to conduct real-time, interactive research - choose from a Census record for The Mount School York or information about World War 1 VAD nurses.

Soapbox Science


St Sampsons Square

Come and listen to top female and non-binary scientists as they take science to the streets of York - while standing on a soapbox!

Rebel Bodies: How to bridge the gender health gap


Ron Cooke Hub, Campus East, University of York

Award-winning health journalist Sarah Graham reveals the systemic and deep-rooted sexism within medicine, and explains what it will take to bridge the gender health gap.

Embroidering Her Truth: Mary, Queen of Scots, and the language of power


Ron Cooke Hub, Campus East, University of York

Textile expert and author Clare Hunter discusses how Mary, Queen of Scots, used textiles to advance her political agenda, affirm her royal lineage and tell her own story.

Charles Dickens and Georgina Hogarth: A curious and enduring relationship


Ron Cooke Hub, Campus East, University of York

Join us to find out all about the curious and enduring relationship between one of Britain’s most renowned literary figures and his sister-in-law.

Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I: The mother and daughter who changed history


Piazza Building, Campus East, University of York

Join bestselling author, historian and broadcaster Tracy Borman to hear one of the most extraordinary mother-and-daughter stories of all time.

Jay Courtney and Juicy Crones: A Festival of Conversations event


Jay Courtney reads from her new book 'Juicy Crones' and leads a conversation about the joys and challenges of being an older woman.