LONDON, March 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
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 http://www.modernmuse.org. A ground-breaking online platform designed to inspire and engage the next generation of female business leaders has launched at the House of Commons with the support of everywoman, BP and Microsoft. Charity Modern Muse will tap into the passions and aspirations of young women everywhere as they prepare for the world of work.
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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. Originally founded by everywoman in 2010, Modern Muse was launched in response to one central concern: that girls are not getting access to a diverse range of role models and in turn are unaware of the wealth of career opportunities available to them.
Speaking at the launch event on 1 March 2017 at the House of Commons, 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."
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."
Jake Attfield, HR Director for T-Systems, a Modern Muse partner said: "As an innovative technology company, T-Systems' recognises the importance of being a diverse, inclusive and socially aware organisation. We have a number of extremely talented women who would love to share their experience and knowledge with the younger generation and what better way to this than through Modern Muse. We want to demonstrate the wide variety of routes our people have taken to get to where they are and the huge range of options available to girls looking at IT and technology as a future profession.
"We are really excited to be part of this initiative and think the platform will be a really powerful tool to give the next generation the inspiration and role models they need for a career in technology."
The launch has been welcomed by teachers and pupils as well as business leaders. BP took the lead in transforming Modern Muse into an online platform and Microsoft has taken the baton as Modern Muse's lead technology partner.
Josephine Valentine BSc PhD, Executive Headteacher, St Clement Danes School said:
"I am delighted to be an ambassador for Modern Muse and pleased to be supporting a movement which supports young women in becoming life-long performers in their chosen fields. It is a great opportunity to be a part of an organisation which seeks to empower young women to develop the skills and confidence to achieve highly once they finish their school careers. Through the inspiration of other women and practical opportunities for work experience, I hope Modern Muse will become a powerful tool for young women for decades to come."
Christina Singh, Headteacher, Nascot Wood Junior School said:
"As the Mother of a recent graduate, I know that my daughter would have benefitted from engaging with this platform at school, to inform her choices at GCSE, A level and University. This would have provided her with the opportunity to ask questions and seek advice about career options for women. As a Headteacher, I am passionate about creating a culture of high aspiration and academic success for girls, ensuring that they are properly equipped and confident to enter the world of work."
Organisations big and small are invited to demonstrate their support for inspiring the next generation by becoming Corporate Partners of the Modern Muse project.
NOTES TO EDITORS
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 at 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."
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:
Modern Muse's vision is to change lives through knowledge; by being the hub for career inspiration and advice.
http://www.modernmuse.org - every girl: informed, inspired, connected, empowered
About T-Systems
As one of the leading global ICT service providers, T-Systems supplies integrated solutions for business customers.
These solutions are based on global offerings in fixed-network and mobile communications, highly secure data centers, a unique cloud infrastructure built around standardised platforms and global partnerships, and top security in line with Germany's strict data protection regulations in response to customer demand.
T-Systems has a footprint in more than 20 countries, 46,000 employees, and external revenue of 73.1 billion euros (2016).
Alongside traditional ICT services, T-Systems' portfolio also offers cloud access, custom infrastructure, and platforms and software from the cloud, as well as innovative projects in promising new business areas such as big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and Industry 4.0.
For more information, please visit http://www.t-systems.co.uk/
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