Two friends, one goal: Empower women
How a shared passion for change planted the seeds of empowerment
In 2008, the Go Girls Foundation’s Executive Directors, Michelle Jobson and Rita Bottomley connected over a glass of champagne. Rita grew up in a migrant family, and the sense of social isolation and displacement experienced by her mother embedded in her a deep empathy towards other marginalised women. For Michelle, her years in teaching provided an acute insight into the devastating impact of Family Violence upon women and children, embedding in her a deep empathy towards traumatised and disempowered women.
Whilst these formative experiences were very different, they led both women towards a common goal: to use their unique insights, skills and experiences to empower disadvantaged women, giving them the tools needed to recognise their worth and rise above the challenges of their circumstances.
A seed was planted that day, and Rita and Michelle’s combined passion, drive, and career experience provided just the grounding they needed to make it grow. Rita had managed a private counselling practice for many years, affording her the emotional awareness, insight and capacity needed to form meaningful relationships with the women they aimed to support. Michelle’s teaching background enabled her to plan and create engaging programs, managing her own business enabled her to work with and lead others and get the best out of them, and her work in management consultancy skilled her in working with diverse groups of people.
In Michelle’s words, upon a friendship grounded in ‘mutual respect and unconditional love’, the two women were able to utilise their unique strengths and experiences to create the programs that formed the foundation of their work – facilitating one-day workshops encouraging women to dare to believe in themselves and their dreams. These transformative programs were well-received, and the work of the Go Girls Foundation has continued to garner increasing interest and support enabling it to grow and develop into the statewide charity it is today.
Empowering women through hope, skills and self-worth
Currently, the Go Girls Foundation offers a five-month program for women at risk who have experienced complex issues such as social isolation, Family Violence, mental health difficulties, or unstable living arrangements. Through a combination of emotional and practical support built upon a foundation of empathy and rapport, these women are supported to recognise their own worth and to realise their own agency in working towards meeting their potential. Whilst the underlying goal is to support these women back into employment, some of whom have been chronically unemployed, ultimately what the program offers is hope for a future that may have previously seemed unattainable – and the encouragement and tools to act.
These women are supported through the Go Girls Foundation and their partners to develop a resumé, improve their interviewing skills and obtain suitable interview attire. Upon completion of the program - which focuses as much upon personal development as it does upon work-readiness - they are then mentored by volunteers for a period of six months. The outcome for each woman depends entirely upon what they choose to do with the material they valued most, with the majority achieving employment or further study. For some women their circumstances change significantly; for others they simply become more connected to their local community enabling a sense of belonging.
Whilst Michelle had long hoped to contribute towards the support and celebration of women, she derives reward in learning from the women she supports, as well as from Rita, who has taught her how to work with women from a foundation of compassion and forgiveness. Michelle recalled one woman who accidentally set smoke alarms off at a retreat because it had been so long since she’d had a hot shower, and another woman who obtained employment through their program and subsequently achieved her dream of becoming a successful artist. ‘From the women, I receive ten-fold what I give,’ said Michelle. ‘I learn about courage, empathy, and what it takes to pull yourself out of a hole. These women are incredible. They’re an inspiration - and I’m proud, grateful and incredibly blessed.’
Fundamental to the Go Girls Foundations’ work is their core values of acceptance, courage and compassion driving their vision towards connecting, honouring and celebrating women. Moments that define these values are when women graduate from their program, with volunteers and sponsors celebrating this achievement together. With over 50% of these women finding sustainable full-time employment, 20% securing casual or part-time roles, and others engaging in study or volunteering, the Foundation’s statistics speak for themselves. Michelle reflects that in moments like these, she is reminded how the women she and Rita support have been as impactful upon her own personal progression as she has aimed to be upon theirs.
Building strength through partnerships and a shared vision
A significant difference between where the work of Go Girls is at now to where it all began is that Michelle feels women’s voices are now being heard. As a result, the Go Girls Foundation has developed many significant and meaningful partnerships and collaborations that have supported its growth and extended its reach to women across Victoria. From collaborations with other charities such as Ready Set and Sisterworks, to partnerships with local libraries, businesses and communities as well as with Embrace Wealth, Bendigo Bank and the AFL, Michelle has been humbled by the amount of people and organisations that have demonstrated compassion towards women and who are invested in the success of the Foundation’s mission. ‘At the start it was just us, but now we’re surrounded by action-oriented, giving people.’
Whilst the Go Girls Foundation has adapted and grown considerably since that initial conversation between the two women in 2008, Michelle stressed there is a sense of urgency about their work that cannot and should not be ignored. In a prosperous, educated, first-world nation, there are still women being harmed and killed by Family Violence. ‘The statistics are shameful,’ said Michelle, who highlighted a need for more investment in charities that support women experiencing Family Violence, as well as more investment in addressing issues such as alcohol, substance use and mental health difficulties that often impact perpetrators. She also draws attention to an area of emerging need in women in their fifties experiencing financial insecurity and requiring support to achieve financial independence and wellness.
Whilst Michelle can perceive a global need for the Foundation’s services and is propelled by the drive to extend her reach to as many women in need as possible, securing funding is a continued barrier to the expansion of their work. Funding hurdles have so far confined their services within the state of Victoria, as Michelle has found that government funding tends to prioritise nationwide charities, however it is exactly such funding that would enable a charity like Go Girls to expand nationwide. In a climate in which Family Violence statistics are alarming, support of charities who seek to empower the women disproportionately impacted by this issue is vital. ‘Women are still dying,’ said Michelle. ‘There’s a sense of urgency to it.’ She urges any woman who is struggling with Family Violence and the other issues discussed to ask for help. ‘You are deserving. You are good enough. You are worthy,’ she said.
When asked what her vision is for the world she’d like the work of the Go Girls Foundation to help create, Michelle does not hesitate: ‘It would be a world of love and courage. A world that reflects Go Girls’ core values - where people are less judgemental and more understanding that everyone has a story. Even when we can’t agree or we don’t like what someone says or wears, we can just stop and learn to approach one another from a place of kindness, tolerance and acceptance.’
Move, act and give to empower women
May marks the launch of Go Girls Move For Her Freedom Virtual Challenge occurring from September – October 2025 with the goal of raising vital funds to support the charity’s work with women. Participants of any age, both male and female, can register as an individual, group or organisation and all they have to do is move – whether it’s running, swimming, dancing or wheeling - setting their own distance goals and tracking their progress in Strava, a free App. One dedicated group of nurses for example, have joined as a workplace, planning to track their steps on their ward rounds.
The Foundation is also currently partnered with multiple schools across Victoria for the annual 100 km Challenge, in which hundreds of Year 9 and 10 girls will participate in a continuous relay running 250 laps of Albert Park on Tuesday 14th October 2025 taking approximately 5-6 hours. In 2024, the drive and commitment of these young girls raised $150,000 to support the Go Girls Foundation’s work, and this year is likely to be just as successful. Events such as these show the creativity and tenacity of Michelle in securing continued funding to support the Foundation’s vital work in the absence of government funding.
Looking forwards, Michelle’s vision is to duplicate the Foundation’s programs to meet areas of need across Australia, paying particular attention to remote areas such as mining towns which are disproportionately affected by social issues and isolation. Michelle herself grew up in a mining town in rural Victoria and has always hoped to be in a position to give back to the mining community. As a woman who values action over words, there is little doubt she will achieve this goal.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Go Girls Foundation or supporting their work, Michelle’s message is simple – ‘Please come to us - we’re waiting for you!’ To learn more about the Go Girls Foundation, or to collaborate, make a donation, or explore volunteering opportunities, you can visit them here or email them at info@gogirls.org.au
The Go Girls Virtual Challenge – Move For Her Freedom - will take place throughout Sept-Oct 2025. To participate or share your support, you can sign up or learn more here.