Celebrating women

WINDO founder Jeanette Dal Santo and treasurer Leanne Heleszko

Through its International Women’s Week Festival Noosa’s WINDO Inc has been demonstrating how women are developing pathways through the medium of the arts to influence, inspire and effect positive change in the community.

WINDO founder Jeanette Dal Santo said through collaborations the growing organisation is encouraging the promotion of women’s achievements and addressing key issues affecting women’s equality.

Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said statistics show across communities there are increases in domestic violence, alcoholism and drug addiction.

“We can actually make a change by women all working together,” she said.The week long festival kicked off at The J Theatre on Monday with a launch at the art exhibition of Michele Rudder titled Le Passage de la Femme whose paintings touch on topics such as domestic violence but through its colour and vibrance cause people to feel happiness.Each of her paintings tells a story. “My art is a dialogue,” she said.

The Women’s Week Festival has explored education, leadership, social enterprise, financial wellbeing and culture.

On Friday WINDO presents Step-in’ Out, an evening of inspiring speakers, music, dance and laughter to celebrate of International Women’s Day.