They will be celebrated in the 2019 International Women’s Day Empowerment Awards in conjunction with a first-time event, the Leading Ladies concert, at the Capitol Theatre.

Co-organiser Ann Walsh said the performers were donating their time, to allow proceeds from the event to go to Tamworth Family Support Service (TFSS).

They will include the 2340 Big Band and some of the area’s best-known entertainers, including Kate Armstrong, Jodie Crosby, Natacha Curnow, Gabriela McDonald and Aleyce Simmonds.

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“It will be a great night of great music by great performers for a great cause,” Mrs Walsh said.

The Zonta Club of Tamworth is running the awards with Tamworth Regional Council, and will direct funds from the event to TFSS.

Club president Steph Cameron said the money would go into a mentoring program for women affected by domestic violence.

“Because Zonta is about empowering women and celebrating women, this is our way of helping.”

There will be six awards given, including two that are new to the Zonta-led awards program.

One will be the Experienced and Influential Woman of the Year.

“That is for a more mature lady who’s been heavily involved in the community, and recognises that experienced women have a lot of gifts to share,” Mrs Cameron said.

The other will be Leading Lady of Tamworth.

“We’re looking for a leading lady of Tamworth in any shape or form but, to me, ‘leading lady’ conjures up someone larger than life who has made a huge contribution to community,” Mrs Cameron said.

Mrs Walsh said the concert would celebrate women in the performing arts, across genres such as rock, jazz and disco.

The numbers will pay tribute to such stars as Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin and more.

There will also be a women’s choir of almost 40 singers, put together specifically for the event.

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