Celebrating Female-Led Organisations Making an Impact
As we celebrate the progress and achievements of women all around the world this International Women's Day, we wanted to spotlight the incredible female-led organisations we have had the privilege of working with over the last 12 months.
From empowering women, to building communities, leading, creating equitable opportunities and positive social impact, these organisations are an inspiration to us all.
Cherished Pets, founded by Dr Alicia Kennedy, is one such organisation that we have had the pleasure of working with. This organisation provides support and care for pets of elderly and vulnerable people, ensuring that pets and their owners can stay together even during difficult times. This not only brings joy to the pets but also enhances the well-being of the owners, who may otherwise be isolated.
Travengers, founded by Agnes Abelsen, is a social enterprise providing accessible travel experiences for people with disabilities. Their vision is to create a world where travel and social connection are possible for all young adults, and where people with hidden disabilities are accommodated for, accepted, and appreciated for who they are.
Another inspiring organisation is She's a Crowd, founded by Zoë Condliffe, a platform that enables women to share their stories of harassment and abuse to close the data-gap on gender-based violence. By amplifying these stories and using data to inform policy decisions, She's a Crowd is working towards making public spaces safer for women everywhere.
MyCareSpace, founded by Nicole Gamerov, provides a platform for people with disabilities and their families to connect with disability service providers, helping them to access the care and support they need to lead fulfilling lives.
Another organisation doing important work in the disability space is RobotFit, founded by husband and wife duo Maryanne Harris and Daniel Hillyer, who have developed a robot-assisted rehabilitation program in Australia that helps people with mobility impairments to regain their independence and improve their quality of life.
PROJECT ROCKIT, co-founded by sisters Rosie and Lucy Thomas, provides education and training to disadvantaged youth, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. By providing pathways to employment, PROJECT ROCKIT is helping to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for young people.
Lively, founded by Anna Donaldson, is a social enterprise seeking to connect both older and young Australians in a bid to tackle the issues experienced on both ends of the age spectrum. Lively trains and employs young jobseekers to spend time with older people, helping them learn how to use technology to stay connected, increasing social interaction for older Australians and providing young job seekers with work that is both meaningful and rewarding.
Green Fox Studios, founded by Amanda Shepherd and Kelly Willmott, is a creative agency that works with purpose-driven organisations to help them tell their stories and create positive change in the world. By using the power of storytelling and design, Green Fox Studios is helping to create a more just and sustainable future.
Moove&Groove, founded by Alison Harrington, is an organisation that uses music and dance to improve the lives of people with dementia. By tapping into the power of music and movement, Moove&Groove is enhancing the well-being of people with dementia and their carers, and creating joy and connection in their lives.
SisterWorks, founded by Luz Restrepo is a social enterprise that empowers women from refugee and migrant backgrounds to start their own businesses and become financially independent. By providing training, support, and a platform for these women to sell their products, SisterWorks is creating economic opportunities and empowering women to achieve their full potential.
The Social Outfit, founded by Camilla Schippa is another organisation that is empowering people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. They provide training and employment opportunities in the fashion industry, using fashion as a vehicle for social change and creating a more inclusive and diverse society.
Fitted for Work, founded by Marion Webster and Renata Singer and led by CEO Donna de Zwart, is another organisation working towards gender equality. They provide support and training to women who are looking to re-enter the workforce, helping them to build confidence, gain new skills, and find employment.
The Beautiful Bunch, founded by Jane Marx, is a floral delivery service in Melbourne bringing joy through flowers and creating jobs for young women from refugee backgrounds who are facing barriers to employment.
Bridge Darebin, led by CEO Chris Lombardo, is a community organisation that works to build social cohesion and promote inclusion in the Darebin area by providing social and education services to empower those who need it most. By bringing people from diverse backgrounds together, Bridge Darebin is creating a more connected and inclusive community.
JUTE Theatre, founded by Suellen Maunder, Kathryn Ash and Susan Prince, is a theatre company that creates new Australian works and tells stories that reflect the diversity of Australian society, engaging with young and emerging local artists from indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds. Alongside the productions, JUTE delivers a range of innovatie education and traning through residency programs, school-based projects, community outreach and workshops.
These are just some of the amazing female-led organisations working across Australia to create a more equitable society for all.
Their inspiring work is a testament to the power of female leadership and the incredible impact that can be achieved when women are empowered to lead. On this International Women's Day, let us celebrate and support the amazing women who are working tirelessly to create positive change in their communities and the wider world.