National Lottery Heritage Fund - Working Lass Project.

About the Project

Working Lass is a National Lottery Heritage Funded project facilitated by Pink-Collar Gallery.

The project seeks to find, highlight, and elevate the role of North East women in the liberation movement—across activism, charity, community care, and cultural work.

Over the past six months, Working Lass has been a powerful journey, shining a light on the vital contributions of working-class women across the North East. From grassroots activism to cultural organising, community care to charitable work, these stories reflect the heart and soul of collective liberation.

The project began with a series of community-led nomination workshops, where local residents came together to honour women and groups whose work has made a real impact. These memories and tributes were gathered into a collaborative scrapbook—celebrating the women who’ve shaped our past and present. A community panel then selected ten standout individuals and collectives whose legacies continue to inspire.

In June, we launched the second stage: a joyful series of free zine-making workshops led by artist Miki Rogers at HILLS Arts Centre, Sunderland. Participants reflected on the lives and work of the nominated women, celebrated their own heroines, and created zines to carry these stories forward—through craft, conversation, and plenty of cake.

On 26th June, we brought everyone together for a celebration event showcasing the work we’d developed, alongside commissioned banners honouring each woman and group.

The Working Lass archive is now open for all to explore and learn from.

CLICK HERE to enter the archive. 

This project is proudly supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.