Jude Kelly CBE – Courage to change: the urgency of gender equality

Joining Michael to celebrate International Women’s Day is Jude Kelly CBE, the award-winning theatre director, producer and founder of WOW (Women of the World) Foundation, the global movement that says a gender equal world is desirable, possible and urgently required. Through its flagship WOW festivals as well as year-round events and school programmes, WOW was designed to ensure a high-profile cultural space existed for women's stories to be shared. 

Described by the Financial Times as someone who has never changed down a gear in her life, Jude describes that moment in 2010 when WOW was launched as the moment that she “truly came out as a woman” and, in 2018, she chose to step back from her role as Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre to focus on growing this incredible initiative, which is now the world's biggest and most comprehensive festival, celebrating women girls and non-binary people. 

With WOW Festival 2022 set to kick off next Friday, Jude joins us to share her journey from artist to activist, the cultural moments and movements that shaped her world view, and the importance of self-identity.