Diageo’s Johnnie Walker whisky brand has created a special Johnnie Walker Black Label The Jane Walker Edition to celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March) and Women’s History Month.
The Jane Walker Edition features the first female iteration of the brand’s iconic Striding Man logo. The 750ml bottle is being sold throughout March in the USA for US$34.
Women have played a significant role in Johnnie Walker’s history dating back to 1893, when John Walker & Sons purchased the Cardhu distillery from Elizabeth Cumming. Cardhu is one of the single malts that comprises Johnnie Walker Black Label and is considered the heartbeat of the blend.
Elizabeth Walker, the wife of founder John Walker, was fundamental to the creation of their own blended whisky, working alongside John and their son Alexander in the original Walker grocery shop. Today, nearly 50% of the brand’s 12 expert blenders are women, with female leadership across marketing and C-Level executives.
Johnnie Walker Vice President Stephanie Jacoby said: “Important conversations about gender continue to be at the forefront of culture and we strongly believe there is no better time than now to introduce our Jane Walker icon and contribute to pioneering organisations that share our mission.
“We are proud to toast the many achievements of women and everyone on the journey towards progress in gender equality.”
To support this effort as part of Keep Walking America, Johnnie Walker will be donating US$1 for every bottle of the Jane Walker Edition sold to organisations championing women’s causes. The total donation will be up to US$250,000.
One organisation to benefit from this is Monumental Women, a non-profit dedicated to creating a monument honouring America’s women suffragists in New York City’s Central Park. There are 23 statues of historical figures but not one honouring a real woman.
President Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Statue Fund Pam Elam said: “We are here to move history forward. Our project honours Stanton and Anthony as well as all the women who fought for the largest non-violent revolution in the history of this nation, when over half the population won the right to vote.
“It’s an instant history lesson. But most of all, it’s about completing the journeys toward justice of the valiant women who came before us and achieving the full equality for women that they were denied. Monumental change is coming. We thank Johnnie Walker for their support and recognising the importance of Women’s History.”
Johnnie Walker also plans to celebrate the next generation of female leaders by donating a portion of Jane Walker Edition proceeds to She Should Run, an organisation which is dedicated to inspiring women to run for office.
