Announcing the 1st for Women Leaderex Winner
Announcing the 1st for Women Leaderex Winner
November 26, 2015By First For Women
Women all over the world are doing some simply amazing things. We’re taking on more leadership roles and have had such an impact on global economic growth in recent years that the terms “Women Economy” and “womenomics” have been coined.
The Economist reports that women are fulfilling various roles in the workplace, such as manufacturing, exporting, investing, entrepreneurs, and management, and we’re doing it with skill and determination. Perhaps the most gratifying part of the women economy, though, is that it is growing, and this emerging awesomeness is coming from girls and women all over the world.
The Economist also mentions that in schools, girls consistently get better grades, and in most developed countries, women make up more than half of university graduates. Considering that investing in the education of girls is one of the soundest investments developing countries can make, these achievements are the proof that girls and women are key drivers of growth. It is because of this important Women Economy that 1st for Women is taking an active part in developing and helping the women of South Africa in becoming all they’re capable of and more.
In September 2015, 1st for Women and DESTINY joined our awesome female powers together to host an inspiring, motivating, and uplifting workshop for the women of South Africa. The 1st for women Leaderex Entrepreneur Workshop was our way of giving our smart local businesswomen the opportunity to network and learn valuable business lessons from some of SA’s most successful women entrepreneurs.
In addition to hosting the workshop, we wanted to take a personal hand in the Women Economy to help women thrive and be the best business people they can be. We partnered with LEAP to give one lucky attendee the chance to win R1million Director’s & Liability Business cover, a three-month, face-to-face mentoring programme with a prominent businesswoman, and marketing for her business worth R50, 000. The winner would also be featured in the December 2015 issue of Destiny Magazine.
We are pleased to announce that Jolene Roelofse, managing director of marketing and communications firm BluDoor Market, is our deserving winner of the Innovate and Grow competition! After speaking to Jolene, it’s clear why she is the deserving winner of this prize; when asked where she sees herself in three years’ time, she responded, “I’d like to be leading a team of self-motivated people who want to change the world through creativity and innovation.”
This spirit of driven and enthusiastic entrepreneurship is what makes the Women Economy tick, which is good for everyone. Indeed, on a global scale, Mckinsey reports that if men and women played equal and identical roles in the labour market, a whopping $28 trillion, or 26 per cent, could be added to the global GDP, and on a business scale, UN Women reports that equality in the economy is great for business – companies that increase leadership opportunities for women increase their effectiveness. We are thrilled to help entrepreneurial women like Jolene achieve their dreams and determine a future that will be a better place for all people.
