This past week has seen people across the world celebrating and acknowledging the importance of International Women's Day. 

The day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8. It is a focal point in the women's rights movement bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. 

The day is commemorated in a variety of ways worldwide and is particularly popular in Europe and North America, in several countries it is even a public holiday. 

In some ways, it is also celebrated locally to celebrate and promote the achievements of women. 

Here at the News & Star we wanted to see who our readers thought were inspirational women in our area. 

We asked our readers who were their most inspirational women and needless to say we got some truly fantastic responses. 

Here were some of the responses from our readers. 

Julie Sharp said: "My beautiful mam who was the most selfless person you could meet."

Tania Charters said: "I'm lucky I have two my daughter who is 21 and has just been told she has autism and ADHD. And still finds the time to check I'm okay and she is amazing with her younger brother with the same disabilities. Every day she gets up and tries her hardest."

Paul Stone said: "Lady at the bakers in Harraby always gives me the biggest double slice."

Valerie Joanne said: "My mam, even though she passed away when I was 14 and she was 46, she did loads of cool things with me as a kid."

Elaine Todhunter Barrass said: "My daughter Gemma Barrass because she is amazing and my mother who was the kindest lady I have ever known, brought up 10 children."

Let us know which local women have been an inspiration throughout your life, we'd love to hear from you.