THE GO GIRLS FOUNDATION

Michelle Jobson and Rita Bottomley connected over an idea and a glass of champagne. Their idea was simple, to empower women. In 2008 they formed Go Girls and set about making a difference in the lives of women. Both women had backgrounds in psychology and facilitation. Michelle had a depth of experience in coaching women, both in the corporate world and within her own business, while Rita had been counselling women for more than twenty years in her private practice.

It was their dream and mission to honour women, celebrate women and connect women to each other and their communities. They encourage women and girls of all ages to chase their dreams and create their own destinies. They wanted to empower women so they could achieve their full potential, create optimum wellbeing and self-confidence so they were more able to take responsibility and embrace their future.

Michelle and Rita discovered that there were a lot of women with talents, skills and motivation, who just needed a caring hand, a clear pathway and a supported platform to make a difference, not just in their lives, but also in the lives of others. On their journey, they met many women who had lost confidence and felt disempowered. They simply needed someone to believe in them.

Today the Go Girls Foundation brings together an inspirational energy that is driven by real change. Women who are unemployed are supported to gain employment, women who have experienced domestic violence to move towards independence, migrant women who have faced social isolation to engage in their community, women who have experienced homelessness to overcome their circumstances, women recovering from breast cancer to find a new pathway, women in the workplace to take on leadership roles, and women in business to grow.

Women have access to a suite of customised programs, workshops and retreats. The Go Girls Work Ready Program includes women of all ages from diverse backgrounds. Every woman who graduates from this five month program walks away with a new professional CV, interview skills, a new outfit, hair-do, and self-confidence. The women who participate in this program graduate with a plan, empowering them with a strong sense of their future. A personal approach is applied to planning taking into consideration job, career, financial and life circumstances and aspirations. This emphasis on personal development helps women to overcome obstacles that traditionally get in the way of successfully gaining and maintaining employment.

Co-Founder of Go Girls Foundation

Dip.T.(Phys.Ed), B.A.(Psych), Grad.Dip.(Org.Psych) inc

As an educator, Michelle has always been passionate about the empowerment of women and girls through education. With a strong background in teaching, corporate facilitation, and as a business owner, Michelle has conceptualised, developed and written dynamic, ground-breaking programs. As a skilled business woman in her own right, Michelle has been involved in and lead many diverse corporate and community projects. Michelle has seen, first hand, the challenges that face women; issues related to newly arrived immigrants, domestic violence, homelessness, return to work, and women’s health. She believes that there lies enormous potential in every woman and with unconditional care and the right tools, every woman, no matter her circumstance, can realize that potential. Michelle is an active member of Go Girls, continuing to develop and deliver programs for women. While constantly involved in raising funds, as the Co Founder, she is often the face and voice for the Foundation. She is a passionate advocate for women and she is constantly striving to provide a platform where women can be connected, honoured and celebrated. While Michelle’s greatest joy has come from raising five sons, her work with the Go Girls Foundation has brought her enormous satisfaction and balance, to an already hectic and full life.