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Jane Walker's campaign will highlight and fund women-owned businesses through a partnership with IFundWomen

On December 10th, Human Rights Day, a day on which the fundamental rights to which everyone as a person is entitled are respected, Jane Walker– a symbol of Johnnie Walker The Brand's Commitment to Advances in Gender Equality – proudly introduces the First Women campaign to celebrate these cross-border moments and inspire and empower others as they journey to a monumental first.

The campaign was started with an open letter in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post written and signed by a network of remarkable women who have left their mark on culture.

The letter recognizes ambitions for women in 2021 and beyond, and reflects our support for constitutional equality in partnership with the ERA coalition and its Fund for Women's Equality.

The aim is to empower women to draw strength from the unshakable fearless leaders who stood before them and to work tirelessly for progress. They noted, "Not only did they open the door, they ripped the door off its hinges so it couldn't be closed again." First Women’s Jane Walker network includes Billie Jean King, Elaine Welteroth, Elizabeth Banks, Halle Berry, Katie Couric, Katie Sowers, Lilly Singh, Lucy Liu, Rita Moreno and Salt-N-Pepa.

As part of the First Women campaign, Jane Walker partnered with the women-run corporate finance market IFundWomen to create more opportunities for women to achieve their goals. The partnership will provide grants to companies identified in collaboration with the Network of Powerful Icons of Women, assisting those on their way to a monumental first.

"Highlighting and advocating moments of progress for women is such an important part of promoting gender equality," commented Sophie Kelly, senior vice president, whiskeys, Diageo North America.

"This year we celebrated the anniversary of women's suffrage and honored those who fought for us to have a voice, so it is important that we continue to work with and support women." We hope our First Women program can be a spark that will help drive more first, second, and thirds results for women. "

Since launching in 2018, the Jane Walker platform has supported the work of Monumental Women to bring the first statue of real female figures to NYC's Central Park. She celebrated women's marches across the country with a Signs of Progress exhibit, supported Equal Pay during the Women's World Cup, and started a corporate coalition with the ERA Coalition in support of the Equal Rights Amendment.

The brand will be relaunching its Jane Walker whiskey by Johnnie Walker next year – a blend developed by Master Blender Emma Walker for everyone of legal drinking age to enjoy responsibly.