Outwood teacher celebrates being the Women of West Yorkshire Network's 1000th member
An Outwood teacher is one of a thousand women who have joined together to make their voices heard, support one another’s professional careers, and help shape policymaking across the region.
Kerry Noble, Head of Faculty at Outwood Grange Academies Trust, has become the 1000th member to join The Women of West Yorkshire Network (WoWY) – which was launched in October 2023 by Mayor Tracy Brabin and her Inclusivity Champion, Fatima Khan-Shah.
Offering an important platform to share ideas and shape regional policymaking on issues such as transport, climate and economic growth, the network is open to everyone committed to gender equality.
On the group and its importance, Kerry Noble said: "I have just joined the group and I am looking forward to working together to create an inclusive community.
"I would like to see members of the group from different religious, business and cultural backgrounds come into my academy and speak to students.
"This is particularly important because of current community trends with misogyny reported in the latest West Yorkshire crime figures.
"Having women speak about their lives and the things that impact them can hopefully create a more inclusive environment where we are all seen as equal, it can also motivate our female students to realise their full potential."
Other members include individuals from all backgrounds and professional levels, including chief executives, business leaders, academics, charity representatives and community leaders, all united by a shared commitment to make West Yorkshire a fairer region with equal opportunities for all.
Key events over the past year include providing a platform to launch the country’s first-ever Women’s Safety Unity and delivered a major networking event to help more women start-up and scale-up their own enterprises.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "Surpassing a thousand members is a fantastic milestone and an amazing testament to the energy, talent and determination of women and allies across our great region to deliver change.
"Through this innovative network, we’ve committed to bringing together women and girls to make our lives better. We’ve held sessions on careers, caring, entrepreneurship, health, safety, education and much more in-between.
"This feel-good network meets online and in person and is part of our mission to create a movement of change to support the women of West Yorkshire. Join us. All welcome."