International Women’s Day is always celebrated on 8 March.  This year the campaign them is #BalanceforBetter 

Balance is not a women’s issue, it’s a business issue. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balance of employees, more gender-balance in wealth and gender-balanced sports coverage.  Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.

IWD is asking everyone to put their hands out and STRIKE THE #BalanceforBetter POSE and make International Women’s Day YOUR day – and do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women everywhere.

Futures for Women beneficiary Phoebe Tan has just completed her Masters in Glass. Her project was entitled “Ascension through artefact’ and offered a vessel for cremation which is sensitive to the various traditional methods and elements to mourning, as well as the trends in contemporary design within modern Singapore. Phoebe is now pursuing her desire to teach.

Our Society has been helping women into the work place since 1859.  In 1871 Elizabeth Walker was given a rent-free room to help her establish her career as a glass engraver.  Queen Victoria later purchased two of Elizabeth’s engraved goblets and jugs.  We would like to thank Elizabeth’s descendants for sending us this photo and letting us know a little about Elizabeth’s life.  It is good to hear about beneficiaries – even after nearly 150 years!

Following a strategic review that took place in 2018 Futures for Women has ceased its interest-free loans and moving forward will be working with a charity partner to help disadvantaged women into the workplace.    A review of short-listed applications has taken place and it is planned to announce our new partner in March 2019.  Please watch this space for further details!