#PurpleBaton: Celebrating Women Conductors and Leaders

 

Marin Alsop with her #PurpleBaton at the New York Philharmonic in March 2025
Photo Credit: Brandon Patoc

OVERVIEW
Founded by Marin Alsop and the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship (TACF), #PurpleBaton is a global social media campaign in honor of National Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day.

Taking place annually in March, #PurpleBaton celebrates women conductors in classical music and broadcasts support for orchestras to invite more great women conductors onto their podiums. Marin and TACF are joined by hundreds of leading classical organizations and artists showing their support on social media with videos and images with their purple baton.

Today, only 10 percent of the world’s music directors are women or non-male identifying. #PurpleBaton inspires orchestras and classical music organizations to bring more women onto the podium.

Learn more about the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship and support the future of female conductors at www.takialsop.org/donate.

 

WHY PURPLE?
Purple is one of the official colors of  National Women’s History Month and represents equity, loyalty, and justice. Learn more about all the National Women’s History Month colors here.

 

HOW TO PURCHASE
Purple batons are not currently available for purchase, but will return in early 2027 for the next #PurpleBaton campaign. Stay tuned for more details!

 

A FEW 2026 HIGHLIGHTS

Cristian Măcelaru & Yo-Yo Ma

Yannick Nézet-Séguin & Marin Alsop

Marin Alsop & mdw Conducting Students

Visit #PurpleBaton on Facebook and Instagram to see Marin’s impact.

#PurpleBaton began as a way to celebrate and uplift women during Women’s History Month, but its spirit extends far beyond March. This is work we can carry forward every day, and #PurpleBaton will continue for years to come. Thank you for supporting and advancing women on the podium all year!