The Arts Centre in the magnificent grandeur of Bolton School was packed for the launch of ‘The 22’, despite the cold wind engulfing this beautiful campus.  Celebrating 22 ‘Changemakers’ and 22 ‘Rising Stars’, many of the inspiring women featured in the book were present, accompanied by their families.

The latest, and perhaps one of the most significant landmark projects of the She Inspires movement, was heralded by ‘She Inspires’ founder, Gulnaz Brennan, as a pivotal moment in the decade long mission to put women at the heart of making our world a better and safer place for everyone.

“I was asked about ‘hope’ on the night, and whether the increasing problems in our post-pandemic world ever lead me to doubt our ability to cope with continuing our work.  I just had to scan the audience of incredible women to know that my optimism is built on the unbreakable foundation of female empowerment, with a collective personality that shines ever brighter.”

Gulnaz is so proud that She Inspires was born in Bolton and she revels in showing off its treasures, one of which provided the venue for this wonderful event.  “Being rooted in my ‘home town’ of Bolton is a source of immense pleasure” says Gulnaz.  “Now we’ve become a truly international movement with participants from four continents as well as from across the UK.”

The She Inspires Awards attracted over 2000 entries in 2022, with judging panels on Zoom crossing multiple international datelines for many of the sessions.  The launch of ‘The 22’ also underpinned the Foundation’s support for the UN Secretary General’s ‘Orange The World’ campaign to stop violence against women and girls.  “Our support for the ‘orange’ campaign is now all-year-long” says Gulnaz.  “We applaud the UN campaign for 16 days of activism each yearbut we know that survivors of abuse need help for 365 days.   That’s why we now have sixteen ‘Orange Champions’ to help us generate new ways of offering our support.”

The exceptional women featured in ‘The 22’ provide just one incredible example of how the Bolton inspired movement is making a difference where the need is highest.  Gulnaz knows that the ‘Rising Stars’ of today will become the ‘Changemakers’ of the future, and that readers of this year’s book could find themselves being featured in future editions.

For more information on the 23rd March 2023 book launch,

Email:  info@sheinspiresfoundation.org.uk