This year, International Women’s Day will be celebrated on 8th March 2021.

It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

This PowerPoint aims to demonstrate some of the amazing achievements of women with SEND. Anne Hegerty

• Anne is a popular host and star of various television quiz shows in the UK. • In the past, she has worked as both a magazine writer and magazine editor. • After retiring from being an editor, she became one of the ‘chasers’ on the popular TV quiz show, The Chase. • In 2017, Anne was ranked 65th in the World Quizzing Championships and in 2018, she ranked 18th in the UK quiz rankings. • Skills associated with her autism allow her to remember all the facts “Obviously that works for me because she needs for quizzing. I have skills other people want!” Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

• Maggie is a celebrated space scientist, mechanical engineer and science communicator. • She is also a co-presenter on the TV programme, The Sky at Night. • Maggie graduated with a BSc in physics from Imperial College London and then went on to complete a PhD in mechanical engineering. • She has also spent time working for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) - here she was involved in a variety of projects, from missile warning systems to landmine detectors. Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

• After working for the MoD, Maggie returned to a job she loved; building instruments to explore the wonders of space. • Maggie is also involved in visiting schools where she can give children a ‘tour’ of the universe. • While at school, Maggie was diagnosed with having dyslexia.

“Imagine a dyslexic from London meeting the queen of England. It’s mind-boggling stuff, but that shows how much potential you have.” Libby Clegg

• Libby took up para athletics at nine years old, which is the same age she was diagnosed with Stargardt macular dystrophy. This condition means that she has no central vision and only slight peripheral vision in her left eye.

• In the 2016 paralympics, Libby won gold for the 200m sprint. • In 2017, she was awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). • In 2020, she became a finalist on “I wanted to show that disabled people the show, Dancing On Ice. can achieve magnificent things.” Cherylee Houston

• Cherylee is a screen and theatre actress. • She has appeared in shows such as Doctors, The Bill, Holby City and Emmerdale. • Her most recent role is that of Izzy in Coronation Street, where she is the soap’s first and longest- running disabled character to be played by a disabled actor. • At the age of 23, Cherylee was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Type 3. • Cherylee is also a co-founder of the Manchester-based organisation ’TripleC’, which aims to make drama accessible to all. “There’s nothing wrong with being disabled, it just means you do things differently. Nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to be embarrassed by.”