To mark International Women’s Day, we are celebrating 15 inspirational women who were born in towns and communities across Lancashire.
The list includes historic trailblazers such as suffragette Edith Rigby and football pioneer Lily Parr, alongside modern sporting stars including Olympic medallist Holly Bradshaw.
It also highlights well-known names from television and broadcasting such as AJ Odudu, Ranvir Singh and Mary Anne Hobbs, as well as writers, campaigners and community figures whose work continues to inspire today.
Here are 15 women from across Lancashire whose achievements continue to inspire:
5. Karen Wallis
Karen Wallis has helped hundreds of people move on from homelessness at Emmaus, after first being supported by the charity in 2012. | Contributed Photo: Submit
6. Jenn Ashworth
Lancashire-born author Jenn Ashworth is an award-winning novelist whose books explore themes of place, identity and belonging. Her works include A Kind of Intimacy, Cold Light and the memoir Ghosted: A Love Story. | Johny Bean Photo: Johny Bean
7. Sheila Parker
Preston-born Sheila Parker made history as the first female chair of the Football Association. A lifelong advocate for grassroots sport, she also helped found the Women’s Football Association and played a key role in developing the women’s game. | Ronald Dumont/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
8. Loui Batley
Chorley-born actress and dancer Loui Batley is best known for her role as Sarah Barnes in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. Trained at Laine Theatre Arts, she has also appeared in theatre productions and television dramas. | Ian Gavan/Getty Images