Tag: Women

Mentor plan for female entrepreneurs

Help to succeed in business

The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced £100,000 of new funding for an initiative aimed at driving entrepreneurship among females in Scotland.

The Scottish Chamber of Commerce will partner with the Scottish Association of Business Women to deliver the ‘Future Female Business Leaders’ programme.

The programme draws on Chambers’ skill and experience in connecting entrepreneurs with established business mentors who will provide them with direct support.

It will offer women help as they move into leadership roles, and includes an element to help to stimulate ‘internationalisation’of Scottish business.

Speaking at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce ‘Women in Business’ lunch, the First Minister said: “Helping more women to set up and succeed in business is both an economic and a moral imperative. By encouraging and supporting women to create and grow businesses, we can create greater equality which in turn builds a stronger and fairer economy.

“The Scottish Chambers represent more than 11,000 companies across the country with a pool of over 1,000 mentors dispersed widely across Scotland. We have invested nearly £400,000 this year on projects to support female entrepreneurship, which includes the Chambers’ Future Female Business Leaders programme.

“It is a scheme which will help some of the next generation of women business leaders as they start their careers. And it will also – if my experiences are anything to go by – provide enlightenment and inspiration for the mentors.

“One of the things that I decided to do as an individual two years ago was to become a mentor to a young woman. It is incredibly valuable to share experiences and insights with people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives.”

Dr Liz Cameron, OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, welcomed the announcement. “This is a perfect example of playing to the strengths and connectivity of both the public and private sector.

“It is an economic priority to ensure that we create an infrastructure which will unlock the outstanding opportunities which exist for females in the workplace enabling more of us to progress to the very top. It will also be a beacon for others to follow, and at the same time, increase the number of successful businesses run by women to grow and expand their businesses.

“Mentoring will be integral to our focus, but it will be in wider terms of bringing together business leaders and other organisations who want to play a role in this development. We are also excited at bringing in an international dimension, identifying potentially new connections and new orders.”

Liz McAreavey, chief executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “A drive to support more women to succeed in business is not just morally right, but also proven to generate better performance for businesses.

“More women on boards and in senior positions leads to better innovation, improved sales revenues and margins and increased satisfaction and productivity. For example, McKinsey reports that gender diverse companies are 15 per cent more likely to have financial returns above their national median.

“There is no doubt workplace equality and fairness equals improved business performance. I am delighted with the extra measures announced by the First Minister today and we will work with all engaged parties to ensure they benefit as many women as possible.”

 

First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls: 2018 Report and Recommendations Published

The NACWG was established to advise the First Minister on what’s needed to tackle gender inequality in Scotland. Over the course of 2018, it consulted a range of stakeholders of all genders across the country, including businesses, and third sector organisations in order to gather the evidence needed to develop its 2018 report and recommendations. Continue reading First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls: 2018 Report and Recommendations Published

World’s First Digital Women’s Circle to celebrate National Storytelling Week

Founders of Connected Sisters, the online and social media platform for women to share true life stories, will be telling their own personal stories during this year’s National Storytelling Week 26th January – 2nd February.​ Continue reading World’s First Digital Women’s Circle to celebrate National Storytelling Week

Connected Sisters: New Year, New Website for Women

A new website, www.connectedsisters.com – goes live on 1st January 2019, featuring true stories from women of all backgrounds, cultures and countries. The global digital women’s circle aims to share real life experiences, offering wisdom and support for females everywhere by publishing at least one true story per day online and across their Facebook and Instagram social platforms. Continue reading Connected Sisters: New Year, New Website for Women

SHE Scotland is recruiting new ambassadors

SHE Scotland CIC
SHE is a female led organisation which provides workshops, activities and training for girls and women in Edinburgh and Lothian. Our workshops are designed to enhance and develop existing provision, provide opportunities to engage in discussions around issues which affect females and support the wellbeing of girls and young women aged 10-25yrs.

Continue reading SHE Scotland is recruiting new ambassadors

Auld Reekie Roller Derby host international tournament

Auld Reekie Roller Derby, Edinburgh’s Roller Derby club, are to host an international tournament this Saturday (17th November). Close Encounters of the ARRD Kind, taking place at Dalkeith Community Campus, will see teams from Austria, France and Finland battle it out on track with Edinburgh’s finest.

This family-friendly event will celebrate the growth of grassroots roller derby and showcase how it inspires women of different ages and backgrounds to take up the sport and improve their physical and mental health. Auld Reekie’s up and coming skaters the All Star Rookies will face the Vienna Beasts, before a three way battle between Auld Reekie’s All Stars, Helsinki Queen Bs and Lille Roller Derby.

All Stars captain Lianne Parry says: “We don’t shy away from challenges, that’s for sure! We’re honoured to host these three amazing, high-level European teams on Saturday. We’ve all been training hard all season and are looking forward to what promise to be incredibly exciting and close games.” 

Elin Andersson, who heads the team of event volunteers, adds: “This will be a brilliant day with four thrilling games and a great family atmosphere with stalls, home baking, half-time games, raffles and food trucks – plenty of fun for all ages. Not to be missed!”

This will be Auld Reekie’s first home event since rebranding – they recently dropped the ‘girls’ from their name in favour of the more inclusive Auld Reekie Roller Derby, unveiling their new look on 2 November.

Mhairi Black and Maureen Beattie among 2018 ‘Outstanding Women of Scotland’ inductees

Ten Scottish women from the fields of the arts, culture, politics, activism and science have been honoured and inducted into the esteemed Saltire Society ‘Outstanding Women of Scotland’ community at a special event in Glasgow.

This year’s ten inductees include the UK’s youngest MP Mhairi Black, distinguished scientist Sarah Wanless and actor Maureen Beattie, who is president of the actors’ union Equity and a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Histories Ensemble.

Also featured in this year’s list of inductees are Chief Executive of Community Justice Scotland Karyn McCluskey and pioneering campaigners Talat Yaqoob, Beth Morrison and Isabel McCue, alongside choreographer Janice Parker and literary agent Jenny Brown. Completing the list of 2018 inductees is Rosemary Ward, a notable figure in the fields of Gaelic education and literature.

Since it began in 2015, the ‘Outstanding Women of Scotland’ campaign has recognised and celebrated Scottish women from all walks of life and the inspiration their achievements set for the next generation. Each year, the campaign invites members of the public to nominate living contemporary examples of Scottish women who have made a significant contribution to Scottish culture and society for induction into the Outstanding Women of Scotland community. Past inductees have included singer-songwriter and activist Annie Lennox, bestselling author J.K. Rowling and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Tthe special ceremony, which took place at Gllasgow’s Womens Library, saw each inductee presented with a limited edition print.

Full details of this year’s ten inductees are as follows:

  • Maureen Beattie – prominent stage and screen actor and President of Equity.
  • Jenny Brown – leading literary agent, former Head of Literature at the Scottish Arts Council, founder Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Chair of Bloody Scotland crime writing festival.
  • Mhairi Black – Member of Parliament for Paisley & Renfrewshire South and the youngest member in the House of Commons.
  • Karyn McCluskey – Chief Executive of Community Justice Scotland, notably championed a public health approach to violence reduction and is a world-leading expert in this field.
  • Isabel McCue MBE – mental health campaigner and founder of Theatre Nemo.
  • Beth Morrison – award-winning campaigner for the care, wellbeing and rights of children with special and complex needs.
  • Janice Parker – award-winning independent choreographer and dance-maker.
  • Professor Sarah Wanless – internationally recognised marine scientist, a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Honorary professor at the University of Aberdeen.
  • Rosemary Ward – Director of Programmes at the Scottish Book Trust, former Director of the Gaelic Book Council and notable figure in the fields of Gaelic education, literature and culture.
  • Talat Yaqoob – Director of Equate Scotland and campaigner for gender, race and religious equality in Scotland.

Mhari Black said: “I am hugely honoured to hold a place on this list amongst all the other phenomenal women who have been nominated this year, and I would like to thank every person who nominated me.

“The women on this list come from a wide range of backgrounds and it is great to see women leading in so many different sectors.”

Speaking about her induction, Professor Sarah Wanless said: “It is an honour to be named as one of this year’s Outstanding Women of Scotland and to join this esteemed Community.

“I could not believe it when I found out and I would like to thank those who nominated me to be inducted alongside this group of outstanding women recognised for their achievements in a range of spheres. I am proud to be representing the field of science and hope that it is a career path more young women can be inspired to follow.”

Glasgow Women’s Library Enterprise Development Manager, Sue John, said: “Glasgow Women’s Library is thrilled to be working with the Saltire Society once again.

“Each year, another cohort of incredible women is inducted as Outstanding Women of Scotland. Through their extraordinary contributions to Scotland and the wider world they are role models for us all, and I am pleased have celebrated their achievements with them on this special occasion.”

Saltire Society President, Sally Mapstone, said: “Across the arts, politics, science, and vital areas such as justice, special needs and mental health, Scotland generates outstanding women, whom the Saltire Society is proud to celebrate.

“Women’s leadership, creativity, and companionship, done on their own terms and to enhance the lives of others, characterise this year’s inspiring inductees.”

Saltire Society Programme Director, Sarah Mason, said: “It is a great privilege to once again honour truly inspiring women who contribute to both Scotland and internationally, who change the world we live in. 

“The Saltire Society exists to promote and celebrate Scottish culture and heritage and we are proud to work with Glasgow Women’s Library on the Outstanding Women of Scotland.

“Over the years, the contribution of Scotland’s women to the cultural life of this country has been truly remarkable but sadly too often underestimated or overlooked. By building the Outstanding Women of Scotland community year by year, I hope we can begin to address that shortcoming and bring women to the forefront.”