Sydney, 21 September - Inspiring Rare Birds has made history today with the launch of the world’s first, full-service, women’s only talent agency, Rare Birds Speak. The agency is set to be a disruptor in the industry representing Australia’s most remarkable, accomplished and inspiring female speakers, game changers, media commentators, story-tellers and subject matter experts.

Jo Burston, founder of Inspiring Rare Birds, said that the idea was inspired by the Panel Pledge. “The Panel Pledge highlighted a serious problem and brings some major corporates to the 50/50 table. Rare Birds Speak is delivering the solution. You can’t be what you can’t see so we’re giving these incredibly talented women a way to be more visible and industry a way to access the best female talent.”

At the helm of Rare Birds Speak is international keynote speaker and Inspiring Rare Birds Executive Director, Lucy Perry. “I’ve been on the professional speaker circuit for more than decade, and I am often the only female speaker at events. Without female talent, the audience is only getting half the story. It is time that audiences get the full picture from women and men in the media and at events.”

Appetite from industry and enthusiasm from talent has been overwhelming. “We can’t move fast enough to sign talent and book speakers, that’s how much demand there is specifically for women at the top of their game. Excuses like ‘there weren’t any women in this field’ just don’t cut it anymore.

We’re unearthing emerging talent from sport, scientific, business and the startup scene as well as signing up award-winning international speakers. Their stories are gobsmacking, fascinating, steeped with wisdom and hidden within women who aren’t being placed centre stage,” said Perry.

Rare Birds has confirmed that a number of high calibre speakers will be joining the agency. These include media rockstar Sandra Sully, confidence expert Kemi Nekvapil, Muslim ex-soldier and hostage survivor Rabia Siddique, disability champion Carly Findlay and climate change pioneer Parrys Raine, some of which have signed on exclusively.

Perry says there are three things that people can do to change gender disparity on stages and pages in Australia. Call out male-dominated events using #speakequal, book and suggest female talent for events at rarebirdsspeak.com and use your voices to amplify remarkable women.