07/06/2011

SERIOUS BUSINESS FOR LEADERSHIP LADIES

For a group of women whose lives were once blighted by domestic violence, a fundraising gala ball was the perfect way to ensure the ongoing education of women in domestic violence programs.

In a unique partnership between Challenger Institute and the Multicultural Women’s Advocacy Service (MWAS), 15 women’s leadership course participants have spent the past 15 weeks fine-tuning their business skills by promoting and assisting with organisation of the Business & Professional Women (BPW) Western Australia Inaugural Crystal Ball.

The glamour evening held at Burswood Resort recently was an initiative of Fremantle BPW members, which raises funds to assist women in domestic violence programs with education expenses and ongoing career support.

BPW Fremantle member Kelly Pillay created the Crystal Ball concept as a means of raising funds to further support the participants in the MWAS Challenger leadership course.

“The inaugural ball was a great success, with all tickets sold and an impressive total of more than $20,000 raised. A wonderful evening was had by all,” Kelly continued.

“The amazing support we received from those that attended the ball is testament to the large-scale support and respect the community has in these brave women.

“Our overall goal through fundraising initiatives such as the Crystal Ball, which will be an annual event on the BPW calendar, is for these women to become resilient through education so that they can gain confidence and belief in their ability.”

Training programs such as Challenger’s MWAS leadership course, which was launched in 2007, allow women to achieve sustained independence from abusive relationships.  

Challenger Institute Leadership Course Coordinator Toni Reiss is delighted BPW have been so forthcoming in their support of the Challenger MWAS leadership program.

“It’s quite ironic how our ladies are supporting the supporters and vice versa; it’s a wonderful relationship,” Toni said.

“This has been a really interesting and interactive few weeks for our students who have been doing a fabulous job and honing their business and employability skills by coordinating fundraising activities for the BPW Crystal Ball.

“This is a completely different group to the ladies I met 15 weeks ago at the commencement of the course,” Toni continued. “Stepping out of their comfort zone, putting on a business hat and learning how to communicate with strangers is all part of the learning experience, and I am so proud at just how far these ladies have come in such a short amount of time.”

Challenger’s MWAS leadership course is specifically tailored for women who have come from environments plagued by domestic and family violence. The course aims to break the isolation, increase support, while improving access to education and employment prospects.

The leadership courses consist of four accredited certificates, with the first certificate delivered off campus at a safe learning environment. Here, women can participate without feeling overwhelmed before progressing to the final certificates, which are full-time on campus.

BPW Australia is a community of women working to end gender inequality. The not-for-profit group has been operating in WA for 65 years to assist women. BPW projects, programs and campaigns focus on issues that affect women and work, such as equal pay, childcare, support for women’s refuges, scholarships for young women in school and university, and domestic violence.

Photo caption: Ball goers were treated to a surprise gift on behalf of the Challenger MWAS women’s leadership course participants. Course participants literally pounded the Perth city pavement to source these gifts from retailers – which ranged from cosmetics, gift vouchers and even a diamond ring.