MNRCHY International Women's Day Spotlight

Words by Naima Sutton @naimasutton

Music culture relies heavily on womxn and the scene is as diverse as you can imagine.

Many womxn still face countless challenges and stigmas within the music industry, one of these challenges womxn often face is access to equipment, mentorship, and opportunities. So in honour of International Women's Day, we’re presenting you with a collection of womxn founded organisations dedicated to bringing music opportunities and support to a wider, more diverse audience than the traditional music industry.

Young Music Boss

YMB is a resource hub and network building tool for young music entrepreneurs and creatives. Aiming to prepare the next generation of music industry professionals while building an alliance amongst young music creatives, entrepreneurs and relevant music associations.

At the heart of the organisation is the desire to empower young professionals through their online content, events, educational tools and consultancy services.

Girls I Rate

GIR was founded by Carla Marie Williams. After experiencing first-hand the imbalance and inequality within a male-dominated music industry Carla was compelled to create a movement that provides females with a voice and a platform. Their mission is to unite females through GIR and create opportunities for them within the music & creative industries.

The movement pushes for equality & opportunity for women 16-30 years old in the music and entertainment industry. Girls I Rate Arts Academy host several events and programmes throughout the year tailored to develop educate and empower the women of the future.

Saffron

Founded by Laura Lewis-Paul in 2015, Saffron operates as a non-profit organisation that primarily offers training in music production, sound engineering and DJing, as well as running an artist development programme and record label.

Saffron’s aim is to advance gender equality in the music tech sector by creating a safe space for women, non-binary people and other minority genders to learn and build confidence. Inhabiting traditionally male-dominated music tech spaces and becoming visible role models for those that come after them.

Shesaid.so

Shesaid.so is a global independent community of women and gender minorities in the music industry. What started as a passion project by Andreea Magdalina in 2014 has since evolved into one of the largest independent communities in the music business. Consisting of women and gender minorities from all sectors of the music industry: from record labels, artist management companies and booking agencies through to technology platforms, creative agencies, composers, artists and more.

There are currently 12,000 members across 18 global chapters and have committed themselves to be unwavering in their intersectional approach to women’s rights, urging the entire music community to adopt a similar outlook.

Women In Music

Originally founded in 1985 in New York, Women In Music is a non-profit organisation that has grown to encompass 25+ chapters across the globe. From LA to Japan, their members are a diverse group of individuals at all stages in their careers - from students to seasoned industry veterans. All united by their collective goal of achieving equity and belonging for all in the music industry.

Their mission is to advance the awareness, equality, diversity, heritage, opportunities, and cultural aspects of women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment and recognition.