Here at babyballet, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 by reflecting on strong and inspirational women in the dance world. We’re also taking a moment to celebrate our own network. The babyballet franchise network is over 93% female-led and we want to empower and celebrate these strong women in business!

Martha Graham – The Mother of Modern Dance

When we think of ballet and dance, we often picture graceful movements and traditional performances. But Martha Graham changed the way we see dance forever. Known as the “Mother of Modern Dance,” Martha broke away from classical ballet to create a new style full of emotion, power, and storytelling.

Martha Graham believed that dance should express real feelings—joy, sadness, excitement, and everything in between! Her famous technique, the Graham Technique, is still taught today and focuses on contraction and release, helping dancers to truly connect with their emotions through movement.

Martha’s work paved the way for many dancers to explore creativity beyond traditional ballet. She proved that dance isn’t just about looking beautiful—it’s about telling a story and making people feel something. This is a lesson even our youngest babyballet stars can embrace as they learn to express themselves through movement!

Misty Copeland – Breaking Barriers in Ballet

Ballet has long been seen as a world of tradition, but Misty Copeland shattered expectations and became an inspiration to dancers everywhere. In 2015, she made history as the first African American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, proving that talent, perseverance, and passion can break down barriers. In September 2024, Misty Copeland inspired our World Ballet Day 2024 promises. We promised to never stop using our powerful voice to speak up and take positive action, making the world a better place for all our little stars.

Misty didn’t have a traditional ballet upbringing—she started dancing at 13, much later than most professional ballerinas. But with hard work, determination, and belief in herself, she rose to the top of the ballet world. Along the way, she became a role model for young dancers, especially those who may not see themselves represented in the dance industry.

Her story teaches our babyballet stars an important lesson: no dream is too big! Confidence, dedication, and embracing who you are can lead to amazing things, whether that’s mastering a new twirl or chasing your dreams!

Pina Bausch – Redefining Dance Theatre

At babyballet, we believe that dance is more than just movement—it’s a way to tell stories, and no one understood that better than Pina Bausch. A pioneering choreographer from Germany, Pina transformed dance into an emotional and theatrical experience, blending ballet, contemporary dance, and drama into something entirely new.

She believed that every movement should have meaning, and she encouraged dancers to express their deepest emotions through dance. Her performances often explored human relationships, emotions, and everyday life, making audiences feel deeply connected to the stories she told on stage.

For our babyballet stars, Pina’s legacy is a reminder that dance isn’t just about perfect technique—it’s about feeling, imagination, and storytelling. Whether twirling in class or performing for family and friends, every movement can be a way to share joy, excitement, and creativity!

Empowering Women Through babyballet

At babyballet, we are incredibly proud to be part of a network where women shine—not just in dance, but in business too! Over 93% of our babyballet franchisees are female, creating a strong, supportive community of women who run their own businesses while sharing their love of dance with young children.

Our franchisees are not only talented teachers but also inspiring role models, proving that passion and dedication can lead to success. Through babyballet, women have the opportunity to build a career that brings joy to little ones, empowers them as business owners, and supports other women in the industry.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate all the incredible women who make the world of babyballet possible—from our franchisees and dance teachers to the grown-ups who support their little stars every step of the way. Together, we are helping to shape a future where young dancers—boys and girls alike—grow up knowing that they can achieve anything they dream of!

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we honour incredible women who have shaped the world of dance—Martha Graham, Misty Copeland, and Pina Bausch—each inspiring generations of dancers with their creativity, strength, and passion. Their stories remind us that dance is so much more than just movement. At babyballet, dance is about building confidence, moving in your own way, and having the best time with friends!

At babyballet, we are proud to be part of a female-led franchise network, where over 93% of our business owners are women. Through dance, we empower not only our babyballet stars but also the women who bring babyballet to life in communities across the world.

Today, let’s celebrate the inspiring women in our own lives—mothers, grandmothers, teachers, friends, and mentors—who encourage us to follow our dreams. Let’s continue to uplift, support, and inspire one another, ensuring that the next generation of dancers grow up knowing that anything is possible.

✨ Join the Celebration! ✨

We’d love to hear about the inspiring women in your life! Share your stories with us on social media using the hashtag #babyballetIWD2025, and tag us so we can celebrate with you!

Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at babyballet! 💕