The first ever WOW - Women of the World Festival took place in London in 2010, launched by Jude Kelly at the Southbank Centre London, where she was Artistic Director. Over the last 13 years, WOW London has taken place annually bringing together world renowned artists, activists, thinkers and performers including Angela Davis, Malala Yousafzai, Annie Lennox, Patrick Stewart, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Salma Hayek. As with WOW Festivals across the world, these well known names have appeared alongside thousands of women and girls who don’t have public profiles but are doing amazing things.

As the inaugural WOW Festival, WOW London launched the festival's unique building blocks, including the famous WOW Day Pass, WOW Speed Mentoring and WOW Big Ideas.

Since 2010, WOW London has been the catalyst for incredible initiatives. For example in 2015, the festival led to the founding of the Women’s Equality Party by Sandi Toksvig and Catherine Mayer. Each year the festival attracts thousands of people, including many of the WOW family from around the world.

WOW London is produced by The WOW Foundation – the UK based charity founded by Jude Kelly. As well as creating the annual festival, the small team work year-round to support the global festivals, lead the movement and work on a programme of events, projects and more to promote gender equity and using arts and culture to make change. London is produced by The WOW Foundation – the UK based charity founded by Jude Kelly. As well as creating the annual festival, the small team work year-round to support the global festivals, lead the movement and work on a programme of events, projects and more to promote gender equity and using arts and culture to make change.

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