Happy Women’s History Month from the Masquerade!
3.1.2022
This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating our ever-growing number of women and non-binary Masquerade staff members who excel in all fields of venue operations including venue management, box office, bartending, talent buying, marketing and technical production.
You, too, can encourage gender diversity in music by supporting organizations like Yall Rock Camp Atlanta, She Is The Music, Sound Girls, shesaid.so, and Women in Music. Read more about the organizations below and help make the industry a better place for all!
1. Y’all Rock Camp Atlanta
Y’all Rock Camp Atlanta (YRCATL) is a non-profit organization directly inspired by the original Girls Rock Camp in Portland, Oregon. Their main focus is to create a community that supports and empowers trans and nonbinary adults and cis women through creative expression in music education and performance. YRCATL provides a six-day summer camp for girls from the ages 10-16. At camp, they participate in a variety of workshops including, but not limited to, learning how to play instruments, encouraging the girls to embrace their freedom of self expression, and promoting their self-esteem. All of these workshops and lessons are provided for the price of $25, including the loaning of instruments for the camp. YRCATL is run entirely on donations from the community and you can support them here.
Another way to support YRCATL is to volunteer to help out at the camp. YRCATL offers both musical and non-musical positions and offers stipends as thanks. More information can be found here.
2. She Is the Music
She Is The Music (SITM) is a non-profit global organization that is working to increase the number of women in the music industry, both in the scene and behind the scenes. SITM provides programs and resources that include a songwriting series, a database of women creators, a mentorship program, and much more. While their goal is to increase the number of women in the industry, SITM is also determined to inspire and foster the future generations of women in music. SITM depends on the donations and generosity from the community. If you would like to donate or volunteer to SITM, you can support them here.
3. Sound Girls
Sound Girls is an organization that serves to support and inspire the next generation of women in audio. In a profession that thrives on word of mouth and networking, SoundGirls gives women working in the industry an opportunity to meet and network with other industry professionals and create a strong support network. Since its founding, it has grown to over 6,000 members.
Membership is free and some perks are studio tours, seminars and workshops.
4. Shesaid.so
The Shesaid.so mission is to connect and empower underrepresented communities towards a more equitable music industry for all, one woman or gender minority at a time. Shesaid.so started as and continues to be a space where members can openly ask for advice, share jobs and events, announce new projects and build community. There are currently 12,000 members across our 18 local chapters (and growing). Shesaid.so is an international community with chapters in NYC, France, Italy, and Mumbai, just to name a few.
Shesaid.so operates as a non-profit and accepts donations here.
5. Women in Music
Established in 1985, Women in Music is a non-profit organization committed to advancing equality, visibility and opportunities for women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment and recognition. It was first founded in New York City but has since grown to encompass over 25 chapters across the globe. There are many ways to get involved, as well as different types of membership available. More info here.