Despite constituting only about 3% of the Australian population, ten Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have appeared on the Westpac/Australian Financial Review’s annual 100 Women of Influence list.
Marninwarntikura Fitzroy Women’s Resource Centre Aboriginal Corporation, CEO, June Oscar topped the Social Enterprise and Not-For-Profit category and nine other extraordinary women in business, the arts, health, public policy and community development.
Reconciliation Australia CEO, Leah Armstrong said that the high proportion of First Nations women on the list augured extremely well for the challenges facing Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“June Oscar epitomises the calibre of the women on this list with her determination to make change in her home community of Fitzroy Crossing,” said Ms Armstrong.
“From station cook she went on to lead a successful fight to reduce the devastating impact of grog in her community; taking on the alcohol industry, government and parts of her own community to an historic victory.”
“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander finalists on this list show the high calibre and deep pool of women leaders in our communities and this is a truly encouraging sign as Australia continues towards reconciliation and equity,” she said.
“To close the gaps and overcome the decades of prejudice and disadvantage will require both men and women of high intellect, energy and capacity and the list released today suggests we already have a strong cohort of women meeting these criteria.
“I congratulate June Oscar and all the finalists for their success; I acknowledge their profound importance as mentors and role models for our daughters and grand-daughters coming behind and urge all Australians to celebrate and share their successes.
“It is especially heartening to see these women succeeding across a diverse range of categories including public policy, social enterprise, diversity, local and regional and business entrepreneurial activities.
“On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I offer our heartfelt congratulations and praise for their continued leadership,” concluded Ms Armstrong. “They are a source of inspiration to us all.”
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