Amplify~Empower~Engage
Initially conceived over cocktails in 2019, the global pandemic got in the way of plans before they officially launched in February 2021. Amanda said:
"Our mission is to amplify and empower women’s voices, and to build a community that can support women and others working and being platformed in the media industry. Whether it is online, or on air, media is an ever-changing landscape, so we are pleased to work with journalists, academics, artists, lawyers, comms professionals, influencers, and activists from many fields."
Their first event was an online conference in 2021 featuring marginalised voices from a range of sectors, as well as established media workers. Since then, WIMB has held numerous events and collaborated on a range of initiatives including, What Women Want; Embrace Equity; What Girls Want; A Woman’s Role is in the Revolution; and a Young Reporters competition and mentoring, to name just a few. WIMB’s work also purposely pulls on all three strands of the Good Friday Agreement and continues to shine a spotlight on equity, disability inclusion, and leading change.
pic: Belfast High pupil Kathryn Walker (17) speaking at #WIM24
Collaborating and Building a Community
Support for WIMB continues to grow and now includes backing from Lagan Investments, Jawbox Gin, U105, and the NUJ, among others. The network stretches much further, and once someone is part of the WIMB community, they tend to become more involved. Their October 2024 #WIM24 conference at Queen’s University featured Dublin’s Women on Air, Ireland’s Press Ombudsperson Susan McKay, Women in Journalism Scotland, and media colleagues from London.
Ahead of this year’s annual Belfast City Hall event on IWD25, their latest collaboration with Women on Air saw 21 women from diverse sectors benefit from radio and tv media training. Amanda added: “The experience of doing radio and TV interviews has given the women confidence, the skills needed to make their voices heard, and a thirst for further learning.”
pic: Women on Air media training session at U105
What's Next?
Future plans include more workshops, training, conferences, and projects, along with broadening out what media is understood to mean, and working with whoever will benefit from their skills, expertise, and contacts. Socialising is an important part of being involved and it is an opportunity for young women media workers to share their experiences as well as have some fun and network with their peers, January’s Nollaig na mBan ~ Little Christmas Weemen’s Wee Yuletide celebration at McConnell’s Distillery and Criterion, attended by people from journalism, PR, law, the arts, academia, and other sectors.
How can you get involved?
WIMB became a Community Interest Company in summer 2024 and Radio Academy NI chair Peter McVerry, and lawyer and queer activist Jude Copeland are among those on the new board. Amanda, Patricia and Niamh are currently looking for other board members, including someone with CIC accountancy expertise. They are always up for a chat about collaborations and projects, so they look forward to hearing from you.
Contact them via their website https://www.wimbelfast.com or email [email protected]
Photo credits: Bernie McAllister ~ Argyll Images
