What is International Women's Day?
How do I include an entry in the International Women's Day Program of Events?
What are the ACT International Women's Day Awards?
ACT Women's Honour Roll
2012 ACT International Women's Day Awards
2011 ACT International Women's Day Awards
2010 ACT International Women's Day Awards
2009 ACT International Women's Day Awards
2008 ACT International Women's Day Awards Recipients
2007 ACT International Women's Day Awards
Other ways to Acknowledge the Achievements and Contributions of ACT Women and Girls
International Women's Day History [WORD 379KB] [PDF 67KB]
March 8 is International Women's Day (IWD). Around the world IWD marks a celebration of the achievements of women. IWD provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the significant contributions of women, and the legacy left by earlier generations. The day is also an occasion to inspire commitment to the future challenges that women face in making further progress. More information on the International Women's Day.
Throughout March, a series of events will be held in Canberra to mark International Women’s Day, ranging from events related to the Arts to panel discussions about women’s role in the making of Canberra. The Minister for Women, Joy Burch encourages all Canberra women to attend as many events as possible.
2013 International Women's Day Calendar of Events [HTML Page]
In the ACT, part of the IWD celebrations include the ACT International Women's Day Awards. The Awards are presented by the ACT Minister for Women.
The 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day is a fitting opportunity to celebrate publicly the extraordinary contributions and achievements of the 100 local women featured in this Honour Roll. These women are all recipients of local women’s awards or local honours, some having received multiple honours. The collective efforts of these women have gone a long way to shaping Canberra into the city it is today. They have made contributions through law reform, academia, volunteering, sport, education, disaster recovery, women’s advocacy and many other fields.
The Honour Roll [PDF 140KB] [RTF 308KB]
Ms Kathy RichardsMs Richards is the Program Manager, Philippines, AusAid and has worked tirelessly advocating for women’s social and economic empowerment.
She has worked in the community sector for 13 years. During this time she has also made significant contributions to the Canberra community through her voluntary work as a member of a number of Boards locally, nationally and internationally to improve the status of women and girls.
Kathy works to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women through participation in events and policies that contribute to empowering women’s rights in the ACT and throughout Australia.
As Manager, Equality Rights Alliance Kathy worked tirelessly advocating for women’s social and economic empowerment.
She led Equality Rights Alliance to consult and engage with women across Australia on the issues that affect women. Kathy builds relationships with women across Australia, across sectors and life experiences to represent their voices to government and advocate for policy change to improve gender equality.
In 2010-2011, she coordinated a national collaboration of women’s advocates and academics on improving gender protections in federal anti-discrimination law.
She established the inaugural ‘Amnesty ACT Mums & Bubs’ group – a group for mums and carers of young children to come together, learn about human rights issues affecting women.
Women with Disabilities ACTWomen with Disabilities ACT was established in 1995 and has played an active role in ensuring voices of women with disabilities in the ACT are heard.
Women with Disabilities ACT engages in systemic advocacy to improve conditions for women with disabilities in the ACT and provides advice to Government and community sector organisations.
It has run almost entirely through small grants and the volunteer input of a small core of women with disabilities. Recently they received recurrent funding through Disability ACT to deliver systemic advocacy services.
In 2009-10, Women with Disabilities ACT undertook an innovative project to improve women with disabilities access to “mainstream” domestic violence services. This project focused on increasing the capacity for service providers to support women with a disability in our community.
The project drew on members’ lived experience of violence and demonstrated that anti-violence services have the capacity to provide accessible and inclusive services to women with disabilities. A training package is soon to be piloted and is expected to increase the “visibility” of women with disabilities in anti-violence services will encourage more women to seek support, or to identify that they are experiencing violence.
Sarah Corrigan
Sarah is an ACT Rugby Union referee. She has contributed to the ACT community as a volunteer referee, coach and mentor for the past 14 years.
Sarah has excelled in a competitive, male dominated sport and is highly respected in local, national and international rugby communities. In 2007, Sarah was named the International Rugby Board Women’s Personality of the Year, an award normally received by a player.
Sarah actively supports local referees, particularly female referees through coaching and mentoring. Since 2006 she has been the treasurer of the ACT Rugby Referee Association. Her contributions and achievements have enabled Brumbies Rugby and the ACT Rugby Referee Association to significantly increase the number of females refereeing ACT rugby union games.
In 2010, Sarah reached the pinnacle of her refereeing career when she was appointed to officiate the International Rugby Board Women’s Rugby World Cup in England between New Zealand and England.
Darlene Cox
Following a personal adverse health experience in 1996, Darlene has actively contributed to the Health Care Consumers' Association advocating for health consumers and contributing to positive health reforms in the ACT.
In her role as Executive Director of the Health Care Consumers Association, Darlene continues to work towards improving services and service delivery in the health system. She is widely known for her work towards making the ACT health system more patient-focused. She was actively involved in the development of the ACT Walk in Centre and is a strong advocate for the use of Nurse Practitioners within the ACT health care system.
Darlene contributes nationally on advisory committees and working groups on nursing in primary health care and is a member of the Board of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners. Darlene also contributes to the review of medical education with the Australian Medical Council.
Darlene is committed to social justice and has pioneered the rights of women to form civil unions in accordance with evolving provisions of the law. She is an inspirational leader and mentor to ACT women and girls and has a unique ability to motivate others to turn negative experiences into positive action.
Bea Evans
Bea, who migrated to Australia when she was 21 years old, is one of Canberra’s hidden treasures. Each week she volunteers her time to help migrant women settle into the ACT community. Bea has been facilitating an English conversation group for migrant women in the Tuggeranong Valley for the past 16 years. The group aims to decrease social isolation by providing language, cultural and social support for migrant women.
Despite significant health challenges, Bea continues to be the driving force behind the weekly conversation group which provides a social outlet for migrant women (many of whom are elderly and widowed) and opportunities to practise their language skills in a supportive environment.
Bea’s sustained contribution to the ACT community has enabled many migrant women to live fuller and more enriched lives.
Maria Luz Gonzalez
Maria Luz has been a driving force in the foundation and the coordination of many activities of ‘Manquehue’ Chilean Folk Dance Group in the ACT.
She has worked over many years to preserve the Chilean and Latin-American cultures in Australia, locally and nationally being instrumental in organising the 2007 Chilean Folk Dance Competition which gathered for the first time competitors from every Australian State. The winning couple of this important event went on to represent Australia internationally.
Maria Luz has been awarded the prestigious ‘Gabriela Mistral Medal’ by the Chilean Government through the Chilean Embassy in Australia in recognition for her work and activities within the Chilean community in the ACT and the country at large.
Her voluntary achievements and contributions over many years have socially and culturally enriched the ACT community.
Sandi Plummer
Sandi is known in the ACT as a psychologist and educator because of her leadership in the development and teaching of the Community Counselling Program at the University of Canberra. This program provided Sandi with the opportunity to train and mentor counsellors and community workers from many organisation which provide services to individuals experiencing poverty, racism, gendered violence, abuse, and other emotional issues.
During her time at the University of Canberra and since her retirement, Sandi provided education, training, supervision and consultation to numerous community and public sector agencies including: Companion House, Inanna Inc, Toora Inc, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, Belconnen Community Centre, Multicultural Youth Centre, ACT Carer’s Association, ACT and NSW Mental Health services , Education services, and Corrections, Victims Services Scheme ACT, ACT Breast Screening, Marymead, Calvary Hospital, Anglicare and VYNE.
Sandi is highly regarded in the ACT community and respected for her long standing contribution to the lives of vulnerable people, particularly women.
Marluce Silva Peters
Marluce has made a significant contribution to the ACT community since arriving in Australia from Brazil in 2003.
In her role as the Coordinator of the Doris Women’s Refuge, Marluce has developed and sustained a model of management which is holistic and client empowering. She works to improve services for disadvantaged and marginalised women and girls through her active involvement with many local community and government services and committees.
In recognition of her expertise in providing professional support services for women who are victims of violence, Marluce was awarded a 2009 ACT Government Audrey Fagan Churchill Fellowship to investigate programs to support overseas born women surviving family violence.
Marluce has made a difference to the lives of many women and children in the ACT, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. She is acknowledged as a practical leader in the field of social services and is known for her inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful approach to service provision.
Caroline Stacey
Caroline has made significant contributions to the performing arts industry in the ACT. As the Artist Director/CEO of the Street Theatre, she has created an environment where artists who were previously disparate and disconnected can now find connections and build creative networks.
Caroline is credited with facilitating the emergence of a new and vibrant artistic community in the ACT. Over the past four years, she has provided local actors, directors, writers, composers, performing artists and theatre practitioners with numerous professional development opportunities and considerable support to showcase their talent as well as advocating for ACT professional and independent artists nationally.
Caroline gives her time and advice in both a voluntary and a professional capacity and has contributed her expertise to a wide variety of community, arts and cultural organisations. She is a respected leader in the arts industry in the ACT and provides advice to a range of government and community panels, forums and roundtables locally and nationally.
Petronella Wensing
Petronella is a woman who has demonstrated excellence not only through her outstanding skills as a lacemaker and embroiderer, but also through her significant efforts in ensuring migrant women feel welcome in Australian society.
Petronella arrived in Australia from The Netherlands in 1953. From her early days in Australia, she assisted and supported other newly-arrived migrants through organising morning teas, providing children's activities, organising gifts of flowers for citizenship ceremonies, teaching craftwork and occupational therapy, and organising the Good Neighbour Council's Home Tutor Scheme.
Petronella has inspired generations of female school students and craft practitioners as a respected and skilled teacher, lecturer, designer and consultant in the fields of lacemaking, embroidery and textiles. Her contributions and skills have been recognised through her senior roles on a number of community organisations including as President of the Canberra Lacemakers Association and President of the Embroiderers’ Guild ACT.
The National Museum of Australia has recognised the importance of her contribution to community life both in Canberra and nationally and holds a collection of her personal papers and a number of objects related to her life.
Women’s Centre for Health Matters
The Women’s Centre for Health Matters Inc (WCHM) is a community-based organisation which works in the ACT and surrounding region to improve women’s health and wellbeing. WCHM believes that the environment and life circumstances which each woman experiences affects her health outcomes.
The WCHM was established in 1990 and celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2011. Originally located in Phillip and formerly known as
‘The Canberra Women’s Health Centre’ it evolved as the result of the identified need by ACT women’s refuges and the ACT Government Women’s Health Service.
WCHM focuses on areas of possible disadvantage and uses research, community development and health promotion to:
Women’s Centre for Health Matters has long association with providing ongoing support to emerging groups representing marginalised women in our community.
Ms Ruth Christie
Ms Ruth Christie has dedicated her career as a counsellor, educator and supervisor in the fields of sexual assault, domestic and physical violence, trauma, grief and loss and child protection. This includes 22 years in the ACT.
Ruth has been a pioneer in the field of trauma; working tirelessly to establish and develop many of the first services for women and children affected by sexual and physical violence and ensuring access to services for women and children excluded from many services.
Ruth has been working at the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre over the last 15 years and her retirement in April 2010 will be celebrated by so many who have felt very privileged to have known Ruth and to have worked alongside her.
Ms Jenni Kemarre Martiniello
Ms Jenni Kemarre Martiniello is an award winning writer, visual artist and academic of Arrernte, Chinese and Anglo-Celtic heritage who has dedicated nearly 30 years to the support of women from low socio-economic backgrounds in the community sector.
As an educator in the tertiary sector, she has mentored and supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non I Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women through peer support groups to help them achieve their higher potential.
As a writer and visual artist, Jenni co-founded the ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group in 2003 and the ACT Indigenous Writers group in 1999. She has sought funding for and manages major projects to develop the professional skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women artists, writers and youth.
She established the ACT's first and only independent arts based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social enterprise, Kemarre Arts, which is dedicated to the creative empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the mentoring, professional development and marketing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and writers. Jenni is the Director of Kemarre Arts and currently also teaches Community Development at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group
The ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group formed in 2003. It is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art group in the ACT to create an ongoing positive supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through regular group meetings, exhibitions and skills development projects.
The ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group provides access to shared material resources, tools and equipment, attracts funding for major projects and exhibitions, gives artists a market presence nationally and internationally, mentors emerging artists, assists in professional development and negotiates access for artists into mainstream arts organisations and facilities.
Since 2003 ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group has had 67 exhibitions in the ACT, regional and metropolitan New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory. Its members have won and/or been shortlisted for major national art prizes and are represented in major public and private collections.
The current members of ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group are:-
Ms Louise Taylor
Louise Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University. Louise has worked primarily as a criminal lawyer in the ACT. During a significant portion of her seven years with the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Louise performed the role of specialist Family Violence Prosecutor. Louise currently works for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions as a Principal Legal Officer. Louise is a long time member of the Management Committee of the ACT Women’s Legal Centre and a member of the ACT Domestic Violence Prevention Council. Louise is also on the editorial board of the Indigenous Law Bulletin. Louise has a strong interest in access to justice for women, particularly for Indigenous and other marginalised women.
YWCA of Canberra
The YWCA of Canberra has served local women, their families and their communities since forming in 1929 and continues to serve the Canberra community as a women’s membership based organisation. With the vision of Women Achieving Their Potential, the YWCA of Canberra works to improve the quality of life for women and their families and communities in the ACT as an innovative service provider, as well as through policy development, advocacy and women’s leadership.
Ms Betty Connelly
Betty Elaine Connelly (nee Stewart) was born in Sydney and lived most of her life at Mogo on the South Coast of NSW. She has a very close association with her totem, the Black Duck from the Yuin Nation, and to Gumbaynggir and Djungutti on the northern coast of NSW.
Having worked most of her life in community organisations, Betty has a strong passion and commitment for the skill building and wellbeing of Indigenous communities. For the past four years, she has worked in the Nguru Program with Canberra Rape Crisis Centre providing support and education to the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Betty was the first Aboriginal woman J.P. on the South Coast; was the winner of the NSW Director General’s Excellence Award in Literacy and received the inaugural ACTCOSS-NAIDOC award in 2006. She has initiated and implemented a number of projects, including the Batemans Bay Aboriginal Early Intervention Program in Literacy and establishment of an Aboriginal Education Library Resource Centre to honour Elders of the South Coast. As the pioneer and driving force of the newly established Diploma in Counselling and Group Work, Betty has enabled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the ACT community sector to receive recognised qualifications for their skills – the first of its kind in Australia – and is currently working with the YWCA of Canberra to with a view to offering a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Barnardos Indigenous Supported Playgroup/ Indigenous Women’s Network
The Barnardos Supported Koori Playgroups was set up in 2007 to provide a culturally appropriate environment for mothers and children to come and play and also to support the mothers to deal with issues relating to their children’s needs.
The playgroup is supported and facilitated by the Koori workers at Barnardos.(Denise Dixon, Pam Bell, Sharon Williams). Playgroup sessions run over a two hour period with a light, healthy lunch provided. Families are involved in all aspects of the playgroup and the activities have a specific Koori focus.
Ms Dewani Bakkum
For many years Ms Dewani Bakkum has worked in a voluntary capacity to assist, guide and nurture the ACT's Fijian-Indian community and provide support to new and emerging communities in the ACT. Dewani was elected to the Board of the Migrant Resource Centre of Canberra and Queanbeyan (MRC) in 2002. She served initially as the Secretary, then Deputy Chair and from 2005-07 as Chair as the MRC Management Board. Dewani assists migrant women to settle into the community. She understands the challenges they face when arriving in a new country working as a volunteer for the last 10 years to support the multicultural community in the ACT.
Ms Chintana Sandilands
Ms Chintana Sandilands is a key and respected member of the Thai Department of the Faculty of Asian Studies ANU, and of the Thai-Australian community in the ACT. Chintana is an Assistant Director of the National Thai Studies Centre and a lecturer of the Thai language. Chintana deservedly received the Australian National University Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence in teaching in 1997. Chintana also provides Thai culture and language lessons to the Australian Youth Ambassador Program as well as developing an in-country ANU course on Thai/Burmese security issues. Chintana is held in high esteem by her students, both past and present and has inspired many who she has mentored.
Ms Karen Fryar
Ms Karen Fryar has held the appointment of Magistrate in Charge of the ACT Family Violence List since 2000. Karen has been involved in Family Violence Intervention Program since it's inception 10 years ago. The approach Karen pioneered in dealing with family violence is now replicated in many jurisdictions. In addition to her work as Magistrate, Karen has also been a leader in encouraging influential men to become aware of the issues of family violence by becoming White Ribbon Day Ambassadors.
Ms Estelle Muspratt
Ms Estelle Muspratt has been working with young people on the arts for over a decade. Her strong involvement in youth arts through her voluntary role as past president of the Canberra Youth Theatre Board and current ACT Director of the National Board of Young People and the Arts Australia, reflects her strong commitment to the provision of a supportive arts environment in which young people can flourish. Estelle has a diverse focus with attention to youth, disadvantaged families and culturally and linguistically diverse community. Estelle has contributed to the arts at state and national level, as well as participating as a member of the ACT Cultural Council and Belconnen Arts Advisory Committee.
Dr Penelope Mathew
Dr Penelope (Pene) Mathew is a Human Rights Legal and Policy Adviser at the Human Rights Commission, where she has made an outstanding contribution to social justice and human rights issues. Pene has highlighted major issues facing women detainees through her recent work: 'Human Rights audit on the operation of ACT correctional facilities under correction' with particular focus on the Belconnen Remand Centre. Pene has made a highly valued contribution nationally and internationally to refugees and asylum seekers through her academic work and as an advocate in refugee camps.
Ms Manja Visschedijk
Ms Manja Visschedijk has worked tirelessly for women and their families both as part of her career and in her life generally. She was part of the Narrative Therapy Collective and has been involved in many innovative projects including the inspiring publication produced with the Majura Women's Group, "Beyond I'm just a Mum". Manja is the Community Services Director at the YWCA, as well as a former collective and governance committee member of Canberra Rape Crisis Centre. She is an active contributor to women's community services, and a tireless advocate for women.
Ms Mona Al Asfi and Ms Katrina Rashidi
Ms Mona Al Asfi and Ms Katrina Rashidi have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy to organise a women's swimming program to promote health and well being for Muslim women in the ACT. This program has been running since August 2007. While a newly established initiative, Mona and Katrina have already made a significant contribution to the lives of Muslim women in the ACT.
Mrs Narelle Hargraves
Mrs Narelle Hargraves has made a long and outstanding contribution to the ACT (and Australian) community. Narelle, in her role as Director of the Schools, International Education Community Partnership within the ACT Education and Training Directorate (formerly Department of Education and Training) was responsible for the Primary, High Schools and Secondary Colleges in the ACT and is the current chair of the ACT Children's Services Council. Narelle has displayed outstanding leadership and has enhanced the outcomes for so many children and young people in the ACT community.
Dr Anne Sneddon and Ms Melissa Parker
Dr Anne Sneddon and Ms Melissa Parker have been the driving force behind the Canberra Endometriosis Centre. Anne and Melissa have developed a multidisciplinary centre for teenagers with problematic menstrual cycles and are developing options to deliver menstrual education and screening programs in Canberra high schools. Today is the first anniversary of the Endometriosis Centre, and this award recognises the ground-breaking work undertake by these two women. Both Anne and Melissa have contributed above and beyond their roles. Their research has achieved international standing, and will continue to have an enormous impact on the well-being of women with endometriosis.
Ms Audrey Fagan (Posthumous Award)
Ms Audrey Fagan was the ACT's first female Chief Police Officer, a remarkable achievement. Her work in making Canberra a safer, more inclusive community inspired all those who knew her. Her personal style in achieving at the highest level will be long remembered.
Audrey showed dedication, passion, perseverance and commitment in both her personal and professional life.
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Last Modified: 4 March, 2013
