This year’s King’s Birthday Honours list brings special recognition to a remarkable woman. Jane Kenyon, the founder of Girls Out Loud and also our 2023 Novi Awards Social Impact of the Year winner, has been awarded an MBE for her services to gender equality and youth empowerment.
For more than three decades, Jane has dedicated her life to helping women and girls realise their full potential. Her story is one of courage, commitment, and a deep belief in the power of teenage girls to shape brighter futures.
A Life Dedicated to Empowering Girls
In 2010, Jane launched Girls Out Loud, a non-profit that supports teenage girls at one of the most crucial stages of their lives. Since then, she has helped more than 30,000 girls through early intervention programmes, mentoring, and advocacy.
Her flagship Big Sister programme pairs 12- and 13-year-old girls with female mentors for a full year of guidance and support. This simple but powerful idea has transformed confidence, self-esteem, and aspirations for thousands of girls across the UK.
Creating Lasting Change
Under Jane’s leadership, Girls Out Loud has partnered with more than 80 schools, trained over 2,000 professional women as mentors, and brought in a further 3,000 volunteers to support its work. Through tireless fundraising, Jane has personally raised more than £2 million to ensure these vital programmes reach the girls who need them most.
Beyond numbers, her voice has been a powerful force on issues like body image, gender-based violence, and the impact of social media.
Jane explains:
“This work has been my life’s purpose – from mentoring girls one-to-one to building an organisation that champions them at scale. I’ve always believed in helping women and girls see the power they already have and reminding them that they aren’t alone.”
Recognition of a Collective Effort
For Jane, the MBE is not just personal recognition, but a celebration of everyone who has been part of the Girls Out Loud journey.
“This is more than just a personal honour, it’s recognition of the thousands of girls, mentors, volunteers and changemakers who have stood behind our mission.”
Her words echo the spirit of community that has always been at the heart of Girls Out Loud.
What Others Say
Jane’s work has been described as transformative by those who know her best. Jackie Hyde, MD of Stanmore Insurance Group, said:
“Jane is a force of nature. From the moment you meet her, her passion and energy are undeniable, but what’s even more powerful is her belief in every single girl and woman she meets. She doesn’t just speak about change – she builds it, sustains it, and scales it.”
Looking Ahead
With new programmes launching across Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, Jane and Girls Out Loud are continuing to expand their reach. More teenage girls will now have the chance to grow in confidence, find their spark, and shape their own future.
Final Word
Jane Kenyon’s MBE is a powerful reminder of the change one woman can spark when she believes in the potential of others. At We Are Novi, we are proud to celebrate this milestone with her and to continue shining a light on leaders who are reshaping the future for women and girls.
As we celebrate Janes’s journey, we want to recognize other amazing women breaking barriers like Jane. Do you know any? Nominate them: (link)
👉 Read more about changemakers in our community on the We Are Novi website and join us in supporting the next generation of leaders. (Newsletter link)
