SheSays Launches Biggest Recruitment Drive for Allies

SheSays is launching its biggest recruitment drive in history ahead of International Women’s Day, with ‘She Says, We Act’ campaign to recruit gender equality allies. 

The advocacy recruitment drive comes as Major Players announced 120,000 less women are now working in the creative industry since 2021, a 5% drop. SheSays believes that International Women’s Day isn’t about being performative, it’s about action and support from everyone, not just women! Especially as recent data revealed 66% of people in Great Britain agree that gender equality won’t happen unless men take action to support women’s rights too.

Being an active ally in the workplace is one of the most important roles ever, so SheSays is advertising the voluntary advocacy roles as seriously as any job using LinkedIn Job Ads and taking applications via She Says, We Act. No experience necessary, full training will be provided. Once people have applied, they can use the ‘Equality Ally’ LinkedIn static across their profile image to publicly demonstrate their commitment to their network.

SheSays will also be running ally-friendly events throughout the year, and launching an ally’s toolkit based around their findings from the campaign, which will be co-created with allies and trusted experts using industry best practice guidance, to provide resources to educate and support new allies and set the standard in the creative industry. It will also provide practical advice for people across all levels within the industry, empowering everyone to take action.

International Women’s Day was created over a 100 years ago when over a million men and women came together to demand women's equal participation in society, and this campaign draws inspiration from these radical roots, inviting everyone to take an active role. It was this that inspired the ‘She Says, We Act’ campaign.

“The old adage united we stand, divided we fall has never been more true than it is today, and if we hope to ‘Accelerate Action’ (The IWD 2025 theme). We need everyone informed and on board - including men - which is why SheSays are appealing for allies.” commented Ruby Norman-Curran, SheSays London co-president. “Whilst SheSays remains an advocacy group for women and non-binary people, we think there’s a real chance here to start a meaningful conversation and invite those who may have previously felt like the gender equity movement was ‘not for them’ to join us in making positive change. Research shows diverse offices benefit everyone, not just women, so pushing for gender equity shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of women alone, on International Women’s Day, or any other day of the year.”

“And as SheSays is all about gender equality in the workplace, it made sense to use LinkedIn as our primary tool for recruiting these allies. We like to think a little disruption on the most ‘professional’ platform is in keeping with the day’s roots.” said Precious McCarthy and Jennifer Hayashi, creative directors for the campaign, who were supported by a team of volunteers including Zan Stepien, Melissa Wong, Charlotte Read, Joyce Kremer, Jo Bromilow, Den Salazar, Kataryzna Wozniak, Ben Peter Catchpole, Jennifer Vobis, and Jennifer Ho.

Mikaela Dragon, co-president of SheSays London added, “We know our industry is made up of allies, many of us are lucky enough to have already found them in our professional life. The ones who make the effort to call out inequality, or who mentor and sponsor female and non-binary talents, or use their platform to amplify underrepresented voices and support those around them. Allyship looks different for different people but it is vital for us and the industry. We appreciate and celebrate our allies and we want more of them to step forward and take an active stance with us.”