Modern Muse goes online to give girls unprecedented access to role models

A ground-breaking online platform designed to inspire and engage the next generation of female business leaders has launched with the support of everywoman, BP and Microsoft

Girls from all backgrounds are given access to women across a range of sectors who share the stories of their careers and the subject choices they made to get where they are now. The Muses’ insight will help guide the girls to explore careers they may never had considered or even knew existed. Charity Modern Muse will tap into the passions and aspirations of young women everywhere as they prepare for the world of work.

Originally founded by everywoman in 2010, Modern Muse was launched in response to one central concern: that girls were not getting access to a diverse range of role models and in turn were unaware of the wealth of career opportunities available to them.

Karen Gill MBE and Maxine Benson MBE, Founders of everywoman and Modern Muse, commented: “After 17 years of working with women of all ages, from all social and educational backgrounds, we recognise that every working woman needs a role model they can relate to. The rich variety of experiences profiled on Modern Muse will give girls the tools to make that important first step in their career – and ensure parents and teachers know what is required to get them there.

“We’d like to see every girl, more informed, inspired, connected, empowered to achieve the career of her dreams. Modern Muse’s vision is to change lives through knowledge; by being the hub for career inspiration and advice.”

BP took the lead in transforming Modern Muse into an online platform and today Microsoft has taken the baton as Modern Muse’s lead technology partner.

Jacky Wright, Corporate Vice President Microsoft commented ‘Recent research by Microsoft revealed that while most young girls are attracted to STEM subjects around the age of 11, their interest drops off sharply by secondary school, and they are also looking for better access to role models. Microsoft is committed to ensuring girls stay in STEM education. More than just a technology partner for the platform, girls from Microsoft’s DigiGirlz initiative were invited to put forward ideas for site features and usability to ensure the platform is one for girls, created by girls. Girls will be able to connect with female Microsoft muses from across the business, providing them with vital access to real world STEM role models and the myriad of opportunities a career in technology can offer.’

Ed Alford, Vice President Business Application Services at BP, commented: “BP is proud to work with Modern Muse, helping both to expand this inspirational programme and to provide role models from right across our business. The job market is changing and through programmes like Modern Muse, we believe that we can help to unlock the potential of young women and encourage them to pursue rewarding careers in STEM. Ensuring a strong and diverse talent pool, now and in the future, is not only important for our continued success, but it’s important for the wider economy.”

This unique resource, which has also enjoyed the support of partners such as Avanade, Deloitte, finnCap, Keytree, Specsavers, and T-Systems, will prove invaluable for every girl as she navigates her way through school and into the workplace.

Minister for Women, Equalities and Early Years, Caroline Dinenage said: “This Government believes that no woman should be held back from achieving her dreams simply because of her gender. Britain is among the top ten countries in the world to be a female entrepreneur and it’s so important that we maintain this momentum for the next generation. That’s why I’m pleased to support the new Modern Muse website, which will inspire, educate and support girls across the country to fulfil their career goals.”

Every woman in the world of work is encouraged to become a Modern Muse for International Women’s Day (Wednesday 8 March) by uploading their profile at www.modernmuse.org. Organisations big and small are invited to demonstrate their support for inspiring the next generation by becoming Corporate Partners of the Modern Muse project. For more information, please email info@modernmuse.org.

Notes to editors

• This is a holding press release for use prior to the full, public launch of Modern Muse on 1 March 2017. We are encouraging women to become Muses, and organisations to sign up as Supporting Partners, ahead of the launch date.
• While the Modern Muse platform is aimed at girls aged 8 upwards, individual users must be at least 11 years old. Those aged 8 to 10 are encouraged to use the platform with the support and supervision of their parents or guardians.
• You can follow Modern Muse on Twitter @ewModernMuse.

About Modern Muse

Modern Muse informs girls and young women about the working world.  They use the site to get career inspiration and advice from Muses and the companies they work for. Muses are women from a variety of backgrounds who share an insider’s view of their day-to-day work lives.

Through Modern Muse the girls can explore subject choices and where those choices may lead. The Modern Muse platform provides them with:

• An insight into the Muses’ responsibilities, career paths, and the subjects they studied
• A view of what it’s like to work where the Muses work
• A one-stop shop for career opportunities at a variety of companies

Modern Muse’s vision is to change lives through knowledge; by being the hub for career inspiration and advice.

www.modernmuse.org – every girl: informed, inspired, connected, empowered

About everywoman

Founded in September 1999, everywoman is an expert in the advancement of women in business.

It provides leading edge products and services designed to enhance the existing potential and talents of women in business.  For sixteen years everywoman has run highly acclaimed events that create a platform to uncover success stories and raise the profile of role models who go on to positively influence others.  

Clients include companies from a diverse range of sectors who want to develop their women at all levels and strengthen their pipeline of female leaders, through to individual women who want to progress and develop themselves for their future success.  These companies and women are members of the everywoman network.

Inspiring success and fulfilling potential is the backbone of everything everywoman does.

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

About BP and BP’s commitment to STEM education

BP is one of the world's leading integrated oil and gas companies, operating in over 70 countries and employing around 80,000 people. It provides customers with fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, lubricants to keep engines moving, and the petrochemicals products used to make everyday items as diverse as paints, clothes and packaging.

For over 45 years, BP has been working to address the STEM skills gap through targeted investment at all levels of education. BP’s early STEM initiatives began as a teaching resource that has since grown into a comprehensive programme contributing to every stage of education, including early years, primary, secondary, tertiary and vocational. Find out more at www.bp.com/stem.