We Unite Music Industry Trailblazers: The First Global Music Community for Women & Gender Nonconforming People & ALLIES
The shesaid.so community consists of women, gender nonconforming people and ALLIES from all sectors of the music industry: from record labels, artist management companies, and booking agencies, through to technology platforms, creative agencies, composers, artists and more. With headquarters in London and LA, shesaid.so has 18 global chapters around the world including NYC, France, Italy, and Mumbai to name a few. A majority of our members are decision-makers in their fields and we are increasingly welcoming more and more young people to the network as well. More info about local shesaid.so chapters here.
Our international community is diverse, ranging from artists, stylists, photographers and other creatives, through to C-SUITE leaders, mid-level executives, small business owners, freelancers and 18-25s.
We take pride in having built a safe and authentic space where all women, gender nonconforming people and ALLIES in music are welcome. That's why each one of our members has been carefully curated to ensure everyone shares our values and ethos, and actively participates in the community.
Our feminism is intersectional and we are unwavering about it. Our mission is to empower all of us and we propose equitable solutions to achieve it, long-term.
We value
Diversity
Collaboration
Community
Inclusion
What we do:
We are breaking down gender stereotypes within the music industry and create a diverse pool of role models for future generations
We are raising awareness of the gender gap and lobby for policy change that promotes gender equality, diversity and inclusion
We are enhancing the profile of accomplished women and gender nonconforming people already making a mark in the industry
We are increasing the number of women and gender nonconforming people across all industry sectors and levels, particularly in executive leadership and technical roles
How are we doing it:
We create and manage online communities that enable women, gender nonconforming people & ALLIES in music to connect with each other to network, exchange information and get access to resources
We organize events that bring the members’ online connection to life worldwide
We produce creative content and other industry resources in order to inspire and educate
We host experiences that challenge the status quo and nurture discussions
We work with and help curate conferences and other industry events that are meaningful and inclusive
We are running 1-to-1 mentoring programs that bridge the gap between generations and offer tailored training for both mentors and mentees
The music industry is vastly dominated by men in a majority of sectors, and grows exponentially as you climb up the career ladder or in technical roles. According to recent studies, women make up 21.6% of all artists, 12.9% of all songwriters and 2.6% of all producers (Candelaria Gómez, VoiceMag, 2022). On the business side, according to the latest UK Music Diversity Survey, the proportion of young women entering the music industry is around 65% while the number drops significantly for women aged 35 and above. Women working at a major record label in the UK earn, on average, 33% less than their male counterparts. These figures above do not even include the people of our community who identify outside of the gender binary, and we are striving to include their voices in the conversation to give them the representation and inclusion they deserve alongside our strong community of women in music.
ALLIES, Equity, and the Future of Music
At shesaid.so, we recognize that achieving our vision of a truly equitable music industry requires the collective efforts of all individuals who share our passion for diversity and inclusion. While our core focus is on empowering women and gender non-conforming individuals, we wholeheartedly embrace allies of all genders who stand in solidarity with our mission.
By welcoming allies into our events and online communities, we foster a broader network of individuals committed to breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive music landscape. We believe that embracing a wider range of perspectives and experiences is essential to dismantling systemic inequities and creating a more equitable marketplace for all.
Our vision extends beyond merely creating a level playing field; we aim to cultivate a music industry where everyone has equal access to opportunities, fair treatment, and equitable compensation. We are committed to advocating for policies and practices that promote diversity, inclusion, and intersectional justice, ensuring that the music industry reflects the rich tapestry of talent and creativity that exists within our society.
We invite all individuals who share our vision to join us in this journey towards a more equitable music industry. Together, we can empower all voices to be heard, celebrate diverse perspectives, and create a more inclusive and vibrant music scene that reflects the true potential of our global community.
Read more about our stance on allyship in Andreea’s blog post on how she started shesaid.so.
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Our commitment to women and gender nonconforming people’s rights is a commitment to human rights.
Not only is gender equality a basic human right, but, according to UN Women, gender equality also has a positive impact on companies and workplaces, including:
Improved national productivity and economic growth
Increased organizational performance
Enhanced ability of companies to attract talent and retain employees
Enhanced organizational reputation
We believe the gender gap can be minimized if a series of improved policies are set in place across the industry to promote gender diversity and inclusion. Not only that, we work hard so that our projects and experiences inspire change at a deep cultural level. In an effort to be all-inclusive, we will refrain from proposing 50/50 ratio targets. Our ultimate goal is to create equal opportunity, representation and pay for all.
By committing to the shesaidso Gender Diversity Manifesto, you guarantee:
The shesaid.so Gender Equity Manifesto
Equal pay
Equal parenting and caregiving
Equal opportunities in the music industry, both on a creative and business level.
Equal representation in all industry sectors, particularly senior and technical roles, in order to ensure a diverse pool of role models.
Zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, harassment and/or other inappropriate behavior. Everyone deserves to feel safe.
Intersectionality is paramount. We recognize the increased challenge many women and gender nonconforming people face in addition to their gender identity and we pledge to address that in every undertaking. These include but are not limited to race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, age, ability etc.