The WOW Foundation

As Black History Month draws to a close, this month's WOW Loves celebrates some of the brilliant Black-led books, shows, and events we've been loving this October. It also celebrates the iconic activist Angela Davis, who will be headlining WOW at 15 at the Royal Albert Hall 🌍✨ Angela Davis has been a powerful voice for social change for over five decades. From her pioneering activism in the civil rights and feminist movements which saw her on the FBI's Most Wanted list and imprisoned for a year, to her powerful work as an author, educator, and speaker, Davis has become a symbol of resilience and vision for justice. Her dedication to dismantling systemic oppression and promoting Black liberation, gender equity, prison abolition and much more has inspired millions across the globe. We are honoured to be welcoming Angela Davis back to WOW to share her insights, experiences, and hope for the future on International Women's Day next year. Please join us: https://lnkd.in/eFKH9gF2 Dive into our WOW Loves newsletter for more on Angela and the Black voices, stories, and works that have inspired us this month. And share with us - what have you been loving during Black History Month? Read the full edition here and subscribe on our website: https://lnkd.in/e4jGRYbN #WOWLoves #BlackHistoryMonth #AngelaDavis #WOWat15 #InternationalWomensDay

As we conclude our celebration of the WOW Young Leaders Directory alumni, we’re honoured to share the story of Jacobina Smith, an inspiring advocate for inclusivity and equal opportunities. Jacobina’s journey, shaped by her own experiences as a young disabled woman in Namibia, is a powerful reminder of the resilience and collective action needed to drive change. Thank you to all the WOW Young Leaders who have shared their stories, inspiring us to keep striving for a better world. Read Jacobina’s full blog here and check out the other WOW Young Leaders: https://lnkd.in/ef98qFAn #WOWYoungLeaders #Inclusion #YouthActivism #GenderEquality #WOWGlobal #DayOfTheGirl

🌟 “Everyone has a role to play in societal movements.” 🌟 In our latest blog, WOW Young Leader Amanda Amaeshi reflects on her path as a youth activist, drawing inspiration from Angela Davis’s belief that true change happens through collective action—not through isolated heroes. Amanda’s advice for young activists is both practical and empowering, emphasizing community, resilience, and self-belief. Her story embodies the spirit of WOW’s Young Leaders Directory, an inspiring global network of changemakers. As we approach our WOW at 15 celebration next year, we’re thrilled to be welcoming iconic activist Angela Davis to the stage to inspire another generation. Read Amanda’s insights and book for WOW at 15 now: https://lnkd.in/eFKH9gF2 #WOWYoungLeaders #WOWat15 #AngelaDavis #YouthActivism #GirlsEmpowerment #FutureLeaders #CollectiveAction

🌍 Meet Afsana Ahmadi Shirinsukhan: Advocate for Girls' Education 🌍 Afsana’s journey from the Afghan Girls Robotics Team to international forums showcases the power of resilience and determination. As a WOW Young Leader, she’s raised her voice for the millions of Afghan girls denied an education, speaking at platforms like the UN in Doha. Her work emphasizes the urgent need for quality, safe educational opportunities for all girls, especially in conflict zones. Read Afsana’s inspiring story and her vision for global educational equity here, and find out more about four years of the WOW Young Leaders Directory: https://lnkd.in/ef98qFAn #GirlsEducation #WOWYoungLeaders #EducationForAll #GenderEquality #YouthAdvocacy

There's still time to apply to be our Creative Producer for the first ever WOW North East, in partnership with S&DR200. If you want to be part of bringing WOW to the region and celebrating women, girls and non-binary people and have experience in creative programming, audience development and community engagement, we want to hear from you! 💥 Applications close Tuesday 5 November. https://lnkd.in/euWFWJjM #CreativeProducer #GenderEquality #JobOpportunity #Leadership #NorthEast #Hiring

Nada Al-ahdal’s powerful story began with personal pain, but she turned her experience into a global movement for change. At just 11 years old, she escaped child marriage, and now she’s advocating for the rights of girls worldwide. From pushing for legal reforms in Yemen to joining WOW as a Young Leader, Nada’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and impact. This October, we’re celebrating the incredible achievements of WOW Young Leaders from around the world. Follow us to hear more stories of young changemakers driving change for a gender-equal world and read Nada's story ✨ #WOWYoungLeaders #GirlsRights #ChildMarriage #Activism #GenderEquality #Inspiration

They’re future footballers, doctors, philosophers, politicians, and so much more 💥 Help us inspire more girls and non-binary young people to dream big and find the confidence to achieve their goals by supporting our Big Give campaign this week - all donations before midday on Thursday will be matched, doubling your impact and helping us reach more young people all year round 🌍✨ Donate here: https://lnkd.in/eRfhX7x6 #FutureMakers #DayOfTheGirl #YoungLeaders #FutureDoctor #FutureLawyer #WOWGlobal #PoweringYoungPeople

WOW Day of the Girl 2024 brought together 150 girls and non-binary young people with 150 incredible mentors on The lastminute.com London Eye, followed by empowering workshops at the National Theatre Skills Centre. From sharing career advice to building confidence and creativity, the energy and enthusiasm was truly inspiring 🌍💪 A huge thank you to all the mentors, facilitators, and participants who made this day unforgettable—and to our WOW Global Girls Champion Standard Chartered and our Global Founding Partner Bloomberg for their invaluable support. Together, we’re shaping the next generation of leaders and changemakers. #WOWDayOfTheGirl #Mentorship #Empowerment #GirlsInspiringGirls #WOWGlobal #PoweringYoungPeople

“Today’s girls are tomorrow’s leaders…We must ensure that their voices are heard, their work is supported, and their visions are realised.” Read more from our Founder and CEO, Jude Kelly CBE and co-writer, CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Latanya Mapp, in our latest blog post calling for a radical shift in the philanthropy sector. #DayOfTheGirl https://lnkd.in/eiyf9bBf

"If you want to create a world where care is centred, it’s important that you care for yourself as a campaigner." Meet Rochelle, an autistic Black feminist and WOW Young Leader from 2021, who’s been involved in anti-racist activism in the UK since she was just 15. With five years of experience under her belt, she’s sharing valuable insights for young people who want to make a difference in their communities. Here are a few of her top tips: 🤗 Find a group: Social change happens when we come together. 💡 Befriend older activists: Build connections with experienced campaigners for guidance and support. 📝 Journal, journal, journal: Reflect on your activism journey. 💖 Look after yourself: Self-care is essential to avoid burnout and stay engaged long-term. This October, we’re celebrating the incredible achievements of WOW Young Leaders from around the world. Follow us to hear more stories of young changemakers driving change for a gender-equal world. ✨ #WOWYoungLeaders #YouthActivism #SocialChange #Leadership #AntiRacism #ActivismTips #SelfCare #Inspiration #WOWGlobal