This #16DaysofActivism, we are incredibly proud to introduce our new Circle Champions!
Julia Gillard
Skin
Mary Robinson
Brandi Carlile
V: Formerly Eve Ensler
Barbara Broccoli
These incredible women are long-established supporters of The Circle and passionate women’s rights activists challenging the status quo.
As The Circle’s Champions, we recognise their long-standing contributions to gender equality and commitment to standing with us in solidarity and action to create a safer and fairer world for the most marginalised and vulnerable women and girls.
Raakhi Shah, CEO of The Circle, said: “We are delighted to welcome these trailblazing women as Circle Champions. They are part of our network of global feminist changemakers who use their resources, networks and creativity to cultivate long lasting change. Collectively, we stride towards a future where there is safety and equality for all women and girls.”
Let’s get to know them:
Julia Gillard
Julia is the first and only female prime minister of Australia. Since leaving office, she has dedicated her time to advocacy, governance roles and writing and is founder and the inaugural Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership. Julia was our inspiring keynote speaker at The Circle’s 15th Anniversary annual gathering and has hosted our International Partners Circle.
“All my life, I have believed in opportunity for all. Women have equal capacities and talents and consequently there should be equality in life’s chances. It is wonderful to be part of The Circle’s network which is fighting for justice, safety and equality for all women across the world. The power of coming together can be transformational.”
Skin
The first black woman to headline Glastonbury, Skin is a trailblazing singer from the British rock band Skunk Anansie, songwriter and electronic music DJ. A global female icon, she shatters preconceptions about race and gender. Skin was also featured in our 16 Days of Activism campaign in 2023, which reached over 20 million people.
“What I love about The Circle is the strength and diversity of this powerful network, bringing together the most incredible women and allies from all over the world, all fighting for the simple things we want – freedom, empowerment and safety – for all women and girls around the world. If recent shifts in the political sphere have anything to tell us, it’s that organisations like The Circle that try to protect women and girls are going to be needed more than ever, I’m proud to continue the fight with them.”
Mary Robinson
Mary is the first woman President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, founding member and former Chair of The Elders. A passionate advocate for gender equality, Mary is a long-standing Circle supporter and for International Women’s Day 2024, she had joined Annie Lennox live to discuss the power of global feminism with our changemaker network.
“When I was growing up, women were second class and our place was in the home. I’ve witnessed incredible progress, but so many women are still facing devastating inequality and violence across the world. It’s unacceptable. Gender equality is key to making progress on so many issues that we are facing across the world. It’s been a privilege to work with The Circle over the last few years and continue to do so in my role as a Circle Champion as we strive for safety and equality for all women and girls globally.”
Brandi Carlile
Multiple Grammy award winning singer-songwriter and producer, Brandi has actively supported our work for years through her Looking Out Foundation and taking part in high-profile campaigns and auctions.
“It’s an honour to be one of The Circle’s global feminist champions. Supporting and uplifting our fellow sisterhood around the world is vital, especially in these turbulent times. I have been delighted to lend my support, through their Music Icons Auction, and with donations from our Looking Out Foundation, and can’t wait to do more together to change the lives of women around the world.”
Barbara Broccoli
Barbara is a British-American film and stage producer, best known internationally for her work as Producer on the James Bond Series. Hailed as one of Hollywood’s most powerful women, Barbara is a long-standing Circle supporter, joining us in solidarity from the beginning of our journey.
“It has been my honour to be involved with The Circle since its very first days and see it go from strength to strength, growing its impact and supporting more women and girls than ever before. I can’t think of a more fitting organisation to support and bring solidarity to women around the world.”
V, formerly Eve Ensler
An award-winning playwright, author and activist, V (formerly Eve Ensler) is best known for her play The Vagina Monologues. Founder of V-Day, a global grassroots movement to end violence against all women and girls, V is a long-standing Circle supporter and in recent years our keynote speaker at our Annual Gathering.
“It has been my honour and greatest pleasure to work closely with my sister, Annie, and The Circle and be part of its network of changemakers. As global women’s rights defenders, we seek to dismantle the predominant structures of patriarchy through an intersectional lens worldwide. We are driven by the legacy of injustices, impunity and ceaseless violence on women, girls, and those who hold fluid identities. Most important and impactful to being a global feminist is coming out of our silos and working together to create a safe and equitable world. Never underestimate the power of this solidarity.”
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