Outspoken
'Finding Your Voice'

Empowering women* through specialized courses in public speaking, debating, negotiation, and critical thinking. Our biannual program, Outspoken, aims to strengthen skills in verbal expression and self-confidence. We welcome AFAB, BIPOC, non-binary, and those with a trans experience/history to join us on this empowering journey.

Sponsor Outspoken

Outspoken Leaders

Sophie Otton

One of Australia’s foremost sommeliers, a senior wine show judge and wine writer.

She is a Len Evans scholar, recipient of a Negociants 'Working with Wine' Fellowship, winner of the Judy Hirst Award for Australian Wine List of The Year and two time finalist in the Vin de Champagne Awards. Today she and operates She Loves You, a wine and cocktail bar in Newtown.

Bridget Raffal

With over 15 years’ experience, Bridget is a restaurant and wine consultant,

sommelier and wine judge. She is the current Vice President of Sommeliers Australia, and in 2021 co-founded WaR. Two time winner of the Sommelier’s Choice Award, Bridget was formerly the Head Sommelier of Sixpenny Restaurant, where she helped to secure the venue’s highly coveted third hat. She now owns

and operates Where’s Nick Wine Bar in Marrickville.

Jane Faulkner

A journalist by training and wine writer by vocation. She has worked in print,

television and radio. She has worked for The Age newspaper in Melbourne, as a wine critic for the Halliday Wine Companion, writes for Halliday magazine and is the Australian contributor for Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book. She’s a sort after speaker, wine educator plus judges

and chairs several wine shows.

Bridget Raffal - President and Co-Founder of WaR

“Outspoken is key to driving real and long-overdue change in the industry and beyond. Following the success of the two pilot programs in 2023 and current trajectory, Outspoken is poised to become the premier learning program in its domain.”

Outspoken Objectives

Empowering people to speak up for themselves and for others.

Find Your Voice

To nurture and develop the individual voice.

Addressing Challenges Faced By Women

To help you to better navigate the challenges of professional life.

Get What You Need and Deserve

To equip women to successfully advocate for a position or desired outcome.

How Did It Come About?

Founder Sophie Otton is a sommelier and wine industry professional with 25 years’ experience working at the highest levels of the Australian wine and restaurant community.

A few years ago, Sophie found herself reflecting on her career and her experiences working for others.

On the whole, it had been a fulfilling journey and one she was immensely proud of. However, there were instances that she wished she had been better equipped to fight for better outcomes for herself.

When she was a young woman, she was expected to deal with the inevitable exposure to sexism, bullying, workplace inequality, exclusion and wage disparity - alongside the emotional and financial setbacks that come with that.

She Found Herself Thinking...

What if there was an initiative that prepared people for some of the challenges of professional life?

What if that training extended to helping and supporting others by learning how to identify and tackle

instances of discrimination and inequality in the workplace?

Those very thoughts and frustrations inspired the idea of a forum designed to build women’s

confidence. An education program that helped women secure better terms and conditions

through training in public speaking, argument, debate and negotiation.

The idea of coincided with establishment of Women and Revolution (WaR), and through us, Sophie was resourced and empowered to start this program.

Outspoken Programs

Session 1: Principled Negotiation 101

Session 2: Communicating value and the importance

of self-promotion

Session 3: Salary negotiation

Session 4: Coaching / Feedback

Outspoken 3.0 - March 2024

Mel Chen has been a lecturer and course convenor at the Australian Institute of Music specialising in music business and law. Prior to law, Mel had a longstanding career in the music industry working as an Artist Manager for a number of high-profile Australian acts.

Outspoken 4.0

To be conducted in late 2024, will provide an informative seminar on what sexual harassment looks like in the workplace.

This will be accompanied by a guide on knowing your rights and available resources including an understanding of your employer’s obligation to provide positive duty under the sexual discrimination act.

If you are interested in sponsoring this iteration of Outspoken, please see below regarding: Sponsorship.

'Speaking From Experience'
WaR x Human Rights Commission

Speaking from Experience is a project that is designed to gather insights and experiences from individuals who have faced sexual harassment at work.

Contribute your feedback to the development of resources aimed at creating safer workplaces for everyone. Your voice is crucial in making workplaces safer.

Learn More

Sponsorship Opportunities

Why sponsor Outspoken and what is in it for you?

It is an investment.

Some of the key sponsorship opportunities in 2024 include:

Advertisement/logo inclusion in published material for the two courses in 2024
Logo inclusion on WaR/Outspoken website
Logo inclusion in any printed material and advertising
Dedicated posts on WaR/Outspoken social media and other digital marketing campaigns
Logo inclusion in any promotional material for Outspoken
Email direct marketing opportunities
Introduction from a representative of your company to introduce the May and August courses, via appropriate
video link.
Opportunities to engage in WaR’s activities including workshops, panel discussions and networking events.

Just imagine if all the women in the wine and hospitality industries found their voice thanks to your sponsorship of Outspoken.

Outspoken 'Finding Your Voice'