About Women of Substance
The Beginning
The Women of Substance (WofS) program was formed by Guides Queensland in 1988. The Women of Substance program was initiated by Joan Mc Guigan. WofS’s are professional, business and career women. They have come from all walks of life and many have excelled in their chosen career.
Barbara Taylor Bradford, author of the book “Women of Substance” was contacted and a request made to use the name of her book for the initiative. Barbara was delighted as she had been both a Brownie and a Guide when growing up in England.
WofS was one of the first networking women’s group with a focus on Guides Queensland by supporting girls and young women in Guiding. It later developed to encompass the wider community.
Who are Women of Substance?
WofS is a group of women who support Guides Queensland in their mission to “Help girls and young women grow into confident, self respecting, responsible community members”.
A WofS’s member may be a professional women who has given excellent service to her profession, been one of the first in her field, or has excelled in some way related to her work purely by her efforts and merit. She may be a voluntary worker who has given excellent service to the community.
A WofS becomes a member by invitation only from another
WofS member or from Guides Queensland. WofS is not a
structured club but aim to meet approximately four times a
year to support Guides Queensland, learn more about Guides
and to network as a group of dynamic women. Each is a full
financial member of Guides Queensland.
WofS are role models for the girls and young women in the
wider community and is prepared to share her knowledge and
help others.
WofS members promote Guides Queensland whenever an
opportunity presents itself. Guiding is active in the
community and WofS members can be influential in spreading
the word about the benefits of Guides Queensland.
The Wofs Mentor Breakfast
Women of Substance can be influential in the future of
young Queensland women. Each year a Mentor Breakfast is held
and young women from Year 11 from Brisbane secondary schools
throughout Brisbane are invited to attend. WofS invite women
to this innovative program to enable mentoring links for the
young women who attend in their field of interest or career
focus.
At this breakfast girls have a wonderful opportunity to
speak first hand to some of Brisbane’s most influential
females from industry and commerce.
It helps these young women to develop their decision on a chosen career path, provide encouragement and advice in a relaxed environment and listen to a female keynote speaker to provide inspiration for the future. The Mentor Breakfast aims to inspire young women to reach for the best in themselves as they plan their career paths.
Women of Substance and Guides
Guides is about assisting girls and young women in Guiding and the wider community develop their self confidence, leadership and decision making abilities.
Business women have a much more significant role in business today. More women are becoming company directors, business owners and venturing into once male dominated careers. Young women are being encouraged by the Office of Women to become members of not for profit boards with view to succession planning.
Guides Queensland is a business. Guiding has developed and matured from a humble beginning and a vision. It has grown with the dedication and enthusiasm of many girls and women over the last 96 years. It operates with the assistance of many volunteers. Guides Queensland appreciates the support, expertise and guidance that the Women of Substance provide.