together and supporting each other. Yes, it’s been fantastic to work with amazing artists like Orianthi, Sheila E, Gabi Moreno, The Command Sisters, The Bangles, Chaka Kahn, Ronnie Spector, Esperanza Spalding, Colbie Caillat, and so many others. I mean, pinch me!
But it’s equally been a thrill to hear the stories of women like Craigie Zildjian, Sujatha Murthy, Holly Knight, Leslie Ann Jones, Crystal Morris, Rebecca Eaddy, Lisa Foxx, Dani Markman and countless others. We are inspired. We get it. We are all lifted up together.
A question I often get asked is, “How can I help?” As an organization that works on a shoestring with a small staff, we need loads of volunteer help to produce the awards. But we can also benefit from volunteer contributions in the form of time focused on day-to-day elements like news postings, social sharing, and short article writing. Plus we need professional legal advice, accounting and production support and more. If you want to help us, please suggest the type of support you want to share and email us at [email protected]
For 2017 we are launching an advisory board of industry professionals who will help us move forward and grow our initiative. We will focus on real action that we as an industry and as individuals can take to foster change and open new doors for women.
I also want to acknowledge that there are tons of great men out there who have been supportive as well. We need them. Their support and understanding and action is important, too.
Yes, we have progressed in the area of gender equality by leaps and bounds when you compare our current position to 50 years ago. But that doesn’t mean that there is not still a long way to go. Sometimes facing a problem like sexism in the workplace seems overwhelming. But take it from me. One step. One action. One change. They all add up!
Find out more about the She Rocks Awards and the Women’s International Music Network at www.theWiMN.com