Working Lass Archive.
Working Lass Archive – A Reflection
Working Lass has been a powerful six-month journey that honoured and celebrated the vital contributions of working women across the North East. Now that its first stages are complete, the project stands as a living archive of collective memory, care, and resistance—amplifying the legacies of women whose everyday actions have shaped our communities.
It all began with a series of community-led nomination workshops, where local residents came together to recognise women and groups who had made a lasting impact through activism, cultural organising, charitable work, and community care. These tributes and memories were gathered into a collaborative scrapbook—an act of remembrance and celebration.
From there, a community panel selected ten standout individuals and collectives whose stories resonated deeply. Their legacies became the heart of Working Lass, forming the foundation for the next phase of the project.
In June, the second stage unfolded with a joyful series of free zine-making workshops, led by artist Miki Rogers at HILLS Arts Centre in Sunderland. Through craft, conversation, and community (plus plenty of cake), participants reflected on the lives of the nominated women, honoured their own heroines, and created zines that carried these stories forward.
The Working Lass Archive now exists as a testament to collective strength, working-class creativity, and the enduring power of everyday resistance. It reminds us that history is not just what we inherit—it’s what we choose to remember, share, and carry with us.
Click on each name below to read more about these women and groups, and explore the stories that continue to inspire.
Sheila Davidson & The Bridge Project
WHIST – Women’s Health in South Tyneside
What Comes Next
This is just the beginning.
Working Lass was launched as a starting point for something much bigger: a growing archive dedicated to the stories of working women across the North East. Our aim is to continue expanding this work—documenting more lives, honouring more legacies, and building a living, breathing resource that reflects the richness of our communities.
We envision a working database that not only preserves these stories but also makes them accessible for researchers, educators, artists, and anyone interested in the histories of working women. This archive will grow through ongoing community involvement, ensuring that it remains rooted in the voices, memories, and experiences of those who know these stories best.
If you'd like to contribute or get involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Click here to fill in the form and nominate your working Lass
Or
If you’d like to add something, tell us what’s missing, or share more stories about these 10 women — or others — please get in touch at:
This project is proudly supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
