IWD 2024 | Bridie Rawson - inspiring inclusion within Australian snowsport

When it comes to highlighting the influential role women have played in Australian snowsports, there is no shortage of icons to look at.

From Zali Steggall to Torah Bright, Alisa Camplin to Jakara Anthony, Australia has a growing history of women who have taken the world before them and inspired generations of young skiers and snowboarders.

Lesser known are those doing work behind the scenes, year after year, dedicating time and focus to encourage female involvement in snowsports.

One of those individuals is self-proclaimed full-time ‘snow bum’ Bridie Rawson, who has dedicated herself to providing opportunities for women in snowsport through her cheekily-named female empowerment project, Tough Tits Co.

Acting on a light bulb moment she had while driving from Jindabyne to Sydney a few years ago, Bridie decided to act on a feeling there was not enough being done to engage women in snowsport and that she would launch an Instagram-based women empowerment project to foster a broader and stronger community for women.

“The impact it has had and continues to have is incredible,” said Rawson ahead of IWD 2024. “Someone turned to me this past winter season and said ‘You know Tough Tits is doing what it set out to do?’

“I don’t think it had hit me up until that moment how much of an impact the project has had for women. The pathways it’s created for women entering and progressing in the back country, the connecting of communities across different ski fields with this ethos of ‘Yeah the girls!’ has just all been so fun!

“I believe the community was and has always been there - Tough Tits Co was just the platform needed to showcase and grow this. The women in snowsport have embraced Tough Tits so wholeheartedly because they were already living and breathing it.” 

Rawson has an affinity with the IWD 2024 theme of 'Inspire Inclusion' as it is exactly what she wanted to convey when getting proactive about female empowerment.

“‘Inspire’ has been a huge part of what Tough Tits Co set out to do,” she said. “We see the power inspiration has first hand; in the act of women sharing their knowledge and skills, in women taking charge of their own progression, in the cultivation of community.

“To ‘inspire’ is not just to lead the way, but to help others join you on the path.”

Since starting Tough Tits Co, the project has gone from strength to strength with almost 6000 Instagram followers, a popular range of merchandise and a series of on-and-off snow events each season.

Having taken seven years to find her people, Bridie is determined to make it easier for younger generations of women to be part of a supportive female snowsports community, but also wants other women to step forward and allow themselves to grow.

“I think building the ability to empower yourself is one of the most important things you can do to keep growing, both in snowsports and in life.

“One of the ways to do that is to ask better questions, learn from those around you and don’t be afraid to reach out for guidance.

“Snow communities are so supportive but how can anyone help guide you if they don’t know you need it? You have to be the one to ask the first question.“

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