A NEW event celebrating women will see Hereford turn orange for the day.

Terri Wilson, from Much Dewchurch, came up with the idea to make sure Hereford celebrated International Women's Day on March 8.

She has organised a day of events throughout the city to join together the county's women.

She said: “Having worked for Herefordshire Mind in the past and now working with women with physical disability, I know some of the challenges and struggles many women face but there are invisible challenges which pervade our society now.

"Loneliness, abuse, addictions, poverty, inequality and discrimination and the list goes on. Herefordshire has more than 93,000 women and it is time to help each other and celebrate."

Terri, 55, chose orange as the colour of the day and there will be people throughout Hereford wearing coloured rosettes.

"Everyone can join in," she said. "Let's paint Hereford orange."

There will be art exhibitions, speakers, discussion groups, and educational events.

And, in recognition of the centenary of some women getting the vote, Hereford will see Suffragettes in High Town.

A walk around all the events will leave the Town Hall steps at 11am.

Terri added: "My main reason for doing this is there are so many women who need a hand up."

She said you only need to look at the news to see that there is still some way to go, particularly in terms of gender equality in pay.

And she said the day is not about challenging men.

She said: "Who is stopping some man starting an International Men's Day and celebrating being a man? Why would we worry about that? We are not challenging men by doing this.

"It is really important that International Women's Day is also a day when men who have supported women are also recognised. That is equally important."

Left Bank will play host to an evening awards ceremony for the exceptional women of Herefordshire.

And this is where your help is needed. If you know of an exceptional woman who deserves recognition, go to internationalwomensdayhereford.co.uk

The awards ceremony is at 6pm. Tickets are £5.

www.internationalwomensdayhereford.co.uk