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Women Unite to Inspire Change

04 March 2014

IWD Gail and inspiration women

YWCA NSW CEO The Hon. Anna Bligh; CARE Australia CEO, Dr Julia Newton-Howes AM; Westpac Group CEO Gail Kelly; media personality Tracey Spicer; former tennis world champion and Chair of the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, Evonne Goolagong-Cawley.

Westpac Group CEO Gail Kelly unveiled a large-scale Perspex installation at Martin Place of the words ‘Inspire Change’ the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day which is celebrated on March 8. Personally pledging to lead change, Gail indicated Westpac will aspire to reach equal representation of men and women in leadership roles by 2017, the year Westpac celebrates its 200th birthday.

Joined on the podium by inspirational Australian women, YWCA NSW CEO The Hon. Anna Bligh; CARE Australia CEO, Dr Julia Newton-Howes AM, former tennis world champion, Evonne Goolagong-Cawley in Martin Place today, as well as leading Westpac women and men, the group encouraged all Australians to make positive change around gender equality by pledging to start a conversation at work, home or in their community on the topic.

Media personality Tracey Spicer was the event’s MC. She questioned the four women about the work they’ve each been doing to drive change and bring about gender equality for women and girls in the community.

We are inviting you to make your own pledge and start a conversation to help drive change.

If you’re in Sydney you can visit Westpac’s ‘Inspire Change’ installation which will make its way to Westpac Place foyer at 275 Kent Street, Sydney city OR come and join the conversation online at www.rubyconnection.com.au or via Ruby’s Twitter page @rubyconnection #InspireChange2014

Tell us how you will #inspirechange2014?

For any queries, please contact the Women’s Markets team at /about-page.aspx

5 comments

Tamia Gallego womenintheblack.com.au 5 years ago

Well said Marie.
Kinchin nee Eschenburg Kinchin nee Eschenburg 5 years ago

Thank goodness women are banding together and have taken giant leaps to change the culture of thinking, its a long way off since the First Female workers Riot in 1827 at the Parramatta Female Factory over conditions and food deprivation.inspiring change, Every journey begins with the first step. Thank Goodness we have Women leaders taking giant strides to change the culture, Keep up the good work.
Karen Winsor - Jobs Elevator 5 years ago

With females making up a significant percentage of the workforce in certain industries, the belief "you can be anything you want to be" needs to be firmly embedded at school. Then as students exit universities, employers need a balanced approach to graduate selection. Companies must recognise the diversity and potential female employees bring to their organisation and actively transition them from entry level positions to senior leadership roles via any path. Women need to be confident and know they can achieve great things in any chosen field.
Louise Upton 5 years ago

Thank you for Inspiring Change. This is what we need to get the conversation started.
Marie Sullivan OAM 5 years ago

Real change will only occur when women truly support women: mentor and sponsor a woman today and assist and promote her on her journey to success. Total change will only occur when women Lean In with confidence, and as Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has stated, when men take a leadership role in defeating sexism and support the gender debate.