Belfast is gearing up for an historic photo opportunity Thursday, June 25, at 8:15 a.m. and is inviting all downtown Belfast women business owners, sole proprietors, CEOs and COOs, directors, etc., to be part of one large picture.

“This is an historic event,” said Michael Hurley, one of the organizers, which include Our Town Belfast. “We will not do it again for a long while. This Thursday, June 25, at 8:15 a.m. on the High Street side of City Hall. Bring your cameras!”

The gestation of the idea began with this: “We heard a story about fewer women starting businesses nationally for the first time in 20 years and we said ‘not in Belfast,’” said Hurley. “And then started adding them up and came up with 56 sole prop owners Operators! And it was game-on and we decided to have a big photo taken to document who we are.”

He added: “And while we are spreading the word we need your help as we cannot go person to person so make sure to let women know. All are invited. We will be photographing the following:

Dress as if people will look at your photograph for one hundred years!

1. Women business owners and sole proprietors, CEO, COO, if you are a woman and you run an organization (such as Restorative Justice or Our Town Belfast please come) etc. will be photographed as a group;

2. Then we’ll add all women who are business owners as partners such as David AND Sarah from 3 Tides, etc. If you have a partner who is male this means you.

3. While it was planned and is primarily about women, it’s all about the women. Guys are invited, too, and we’ll take a big guys=only picture, too. (not that there’s many of us dying breed.)

4.  Lastly: everyone in the picture! One big picture with all downtown business or office, etc., people.