Women of West Yorkshire Network celebrates 1,000 members, as more women encouraged to help shape future of the region

Over a thousand women and allies have joined together to make their voices heard, support one another’s professional careers, and help shape regional policymaking, it can be announced.

The Women of West Yorkshire Network (WoWY), launched in October 2023 by Mayor Tracy Brabin and her Inclusivity Champion Fatima Khan-Shah, has now surpassed 1,000 members, cementing its role as a powerful and influential community.

Offering an important platform to share ideas and shape regional policymaking on issues such as transport, climate and economic growth, the network is open to everyone committed to gender equality.

Members include individuals from all backgrounds and professional levels, including chief executives, business leaders, academics, charity representatives and community leaders, all united by a shared commitment to make West Yorkshire a fairer region with equal opportunities for all.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

"Surpassing a thousand members is a fantastic milestone and an amazing testament to the energy, talent and determination of women and allies across our great region to deliver change.

"Through this innovative network, we’ve committed to bringing together women and girls to make our lives better. We’ve held sessions on careers, caring, entrepreneurship, health, safety, education and much more in-between.

"This feel-good network meets online and in person and is part of our mission to create a movement of change to support the women of West Yorkshire. Join us. All welcome."

Fatima Khan‑Shah, West Yorkshire’s Inclusivity Champion, said:

"This incredible community is all about connecting women together and building their confidence, both in life and in work.

"Whether you’re a CEO, a community organiser or just a member, WoWY will give you an important platform to connect and promote your work, a direct line into regional policymaking, and a support system from which to learn new skills and draw your strength from.

"Reaching 1,000 members shows the power and influence of our growing collective voice, and the best thing is – we’re only just getting started!"

Over the past year, the Network has:

• Hosted consultation events to inform flagship regional plans, including the Climate and Environment Plan, the Local Transport Plan and the £7 billion Local Growth Plan, ensuring women’s voices are at the heart of devolved decision-making.
  
  

• Delivered a major networking event attended by over 120 members, led by the Mayor’s Business Advisor Mandy Ridyard, to offer opportunities and insights from business leaders to help more women start-up and scale-up their own enterprises.
  
  

• Provided a platform to launch the country’s first-ever Women’s Safety Unity, championed by the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Alison Lowe OBE, as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.
  
  

• Empowered female entrepreneurs through a diverse panel at the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival, which focused on opportunities for female founders to secure new investment and grow their businesses.
  
  

• Staged the first WoWY Festival at Bradford’s new Darley Street Market, which was attended by nearly 2,000 people on Yorkshire Day and platformed members’ enterprises to the city.

Looking ahead to 2026, WoWY members will have the opportunity to contribute to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, which will help to inform all of the delivery across its £2 billion Integrated Settlement, from transport and policing to adult skills and business support.

Benefits of joining the Network include access to events and activities, the chance to hear from inspirational business and community leaders, a voice in key policy decisions through a direct line to the Mayor and political leaders, and a chance to grow personal and professional networks among likeminded people.

The 1,000th member to join the WoWY Network, Kerry Noble, Head of Faculty at Outwood Grange Academies Trust, said:

"I have just joined the group and I am looking forward to working together to create an inclusive community.

"I would like to see members of the group from different religious, business and cultural backgrounds come into my academy and speak to students. This is particularly important because of current community trends with misogyny reported in the latest West Yorkshire crime figures.

"Having women speak about their lives and the things that impact them can hopefully create a more inclusive environment where we are all seen as equal, it can also motivate our female students to realise their full potential."

Women and allies are encouraged to find out more information and get involved with the WoWY Network by visiting: Women of West Yorkshire