Our Story
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 counseling women for more than twenty years in her private practice.
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 to honour women, celebrate women and connect women to each other and their communities. They wanted to 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.
They 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. Women survivors of cancer, victims of domestic violence, unemployed, homeless, newly arrived immigrants and teen mums were all in need of a helping hand to get back on track. They simply needed someone to believe in them.
After working with women for eight years, Rita and Michelle decided that women in need required far more support and assistance, so in September 2015, Go Girls became an independent Charitable Foundation with full Australian Tax Office (ATO) endorsed Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. The Go Girls Foundation Board was established.
Today women have access to a suite of customised programs, workshops and retreats. The Step Up and Go Program assists women to become work ready and with the help of the Industry Link Program women find sustainable employment. Survivorship Programs are available for women recovering from breast cancer. Executive Leadership Programs are run for women wishing to overcome barriers in the workplace. Women belong to the Go Girl Community and varied events are held throughout the year to connect, honour and celebrate its members. The annual Go Girls Night Out brings together 300 women from Melbourne and Regional Victoria, to celebrate and honour women’s achievements from all walks of life.
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 are recovering from breast cancer are assisted to find their ‘new normal’, women in the workplace are encouraged to take on leadership roles and women in business are coached to grow.
Rita and Michelle live the Go Girl values of compassion, acceptance and courage and are constantly open to opportunities to empower women of all ages and backgrounds. It is their vision to connect, honour and celebrate women. The Foundation believes that the key driver for change is confident, supported and planned action taking.
