Rights. Equality. Empowerment: Powerful Insights and Stories from 6 Trailblazing Women
International Women's Day on March 8, 2025, isn't just about celebrating how far we've come towards gender equality – it's about pushing for more.
This year's theme, For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment is a rallying cry for action. It's about unlocking opportunities, amplifying voices, and creating a future where no one is left behind. That means empowering the next generation – especially young women and girls – to be the catalysts for lasting change.
To celebrate IWD 2025, we're shining a light on six incredible women who are breaking barriers, backing themselves, and driving real impact. Their insights on careers, confidence, and leadership remind us that change happens when we step up, speak out, and support each other.
Let's dive in and get inspired:
Emma Olivier, Twenty Percent
Emma Olivier is the founder and CEO of Twenty Percent, a Disability Inclusion Advisory working with Corporate Australia. Born without a left hand, she has learned how to do things her own way and now works with organisations to unleash the powers of disability in their workforces and markets.
"As a person with a disability, I'm deeply passionate about people with disability being at every table where decisions are made. We are just over 20% of the population, and yet we are often not thought of as leaders and decision-makers. The value-add opportunity we can create if we embrace disability is unlimited."
Emma knows that to get ahead, we all have to overcome self-doubt. When asked about a key soft skill she's worked on throughout her career, she shared:
"I would say talking myself out of something before I even try it, and underestimating my own value. We all have self-doubt but we should not let it get in the way of stepping outside our comfort zones."
Read more from Emma in her Human on the Inside interview.
Lucy Bradlow and Bronwen Bock, Better Together Party
Lucy and Bronwen are redefining what leadership looks like. As co-founders of the Better Together Party, they are on a mission to shake up politics by securing a Victorian Senate position – together.
They are posing the ultimate challenge to the political establishment: why can't we job-share in politics? Particularly when more flexibility could mean a government that truly represents everyone.
Lucy highlights the need for structural change across all workplaces, not just politics:
"My work in gender equality has shown me that over the last twenty or so years, we've made great strides in getting more women and people from diverse backgrounds into leadership roles. In a lot of sectors, including federal politics, we're nearing equality, which is great. But the way we've done that is to say that you can only reach a leadership role if you're willing to work within the same confines of traditional leadership roles – always on, always available, able to travel at a minute's notice. Those leadership structures were designed for men… That's not the world we live in today – for men or women.
"We need to change structures to suit people, not people to suit structures. We can absolutely say that a person working part-time, or in a job-share role, can be a leader. And there are huge benefits to it. It will bring in a new crop of leaders with different perspectives and different approaches and I think can be hugely beneficial for organisations."
Read the full Human on the Inside interview to be inspired by these trailblazers.
Aminata Conteh-Biger, The Aminata Maternal Foundation
Aminata Conteh-Biger is a force for change. The Australian author, activist, former refugee, and speaker founded the Aminata Maternal Foundation, a non-profit working to ensure women in Sierra Leone can give birth safely. She's also a Special Representative for Australia's United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
So, what fires her up?
"What drives me every single day is that all humans are entitled to the same human dignity. I was brought up by my father who taught me the reason why we exist – to serve others. Because of these values, I live and lead my life with deep principles. I believe I'm here to give to humanity, not because of how much is given, but because I know for sure that wherever privilege we have is meant for helping others."
Read Aminata’s Human on the Inside interview.
Cathy Ngo, Keynoteworthy
When Cathy Ngo noticed the lack of diversity at events, she couldn’t just let it slide. Fuelled by her strong belief that representation on stage matters, she founded Keynoteworthy, a platform connecting diverse speakers with event organisers.
"In one of my previous roles, I was able to attend many high profile and big conferences, but to my disappointment, there was such a lack of diversity in audience, speakers and supply chain. I felt out of place, and a pivotal moment for me was in a particular event, the keynote speaker asked everyone to turn around and speak to someone they wouldn't normally. I instantly felt at that moment 40 people looked at me. As a 5ft tall, petite Asian woman who vastly seems out of place, it's no wonder I had strange looks and awkward conversations."
Today, Cathy is driving more inclusive and sustainable events through advocacy and leadership. Her advice to the next generation?
"Don't be afraid to ask questions and be curious. The world is a strange place where many people try to fit in instead of being their true selves. It's a shame, and my advice is to be true to yourself. If your workplace doesn't accept you for who you are and your beliefs, find like-minded people who do. Our online world makes finding communities very accessible. I believe life is not worth living when we try to fit the mould of others and societal expectations."
Be inspired by Cathy’s Human on the Inside interview.
Katie Freeman, Equity Hive
Katie Freeman is on a mission to level the playing field for female founders. As CEO of Equity Hive, she helps startups and innovative tech enterprises – especially those led by women – bring their game-changing ideas to life.
Katie is driven by her deep understanding of the issues related to the inequity of capital allocation between genders.
"It's safe to say that we all got a bit of a shock in 2022 when it was released that .7% of capital I went to female founders as we had gone backward from 3%."
"I became captivated by the complete disproportionate allocation of capital between men and women, particularly when statistics around female performance are extraordinary yet overlooked."
Discover more of Katie’s insights here
Sally McNamara, Parents at Work
As a client advisory director at Parents at Work, Sally is dedicated to advancing workplace inclusion, gender equality and wellbeing outcomes for businesses and families.
Sally knows that change is a skill – and one we can all develop.
"I feel strongly that it's important to help people feel seen, heard and safe to be able to make real change. Change is uncomfortable and messy and so I guess overall my purpose is to help people feel safe in the flux of that, to help normalise the experience of being human."
Sally's advice? Embrace the discomfort of change, build inner resources, and harness your values, strengths, and interests.
"Know your values, strengths and interests — what energises you and what drains you gives you a lot of great insight into how to sustain yourself through change."
Read more from Sally in her Human on the Inside interview.
Take action
Each of these women reminds us that real change starts with action. So, as we celebrate International Women's Day 2025, let's take their insights to heart, keep pushing forward, and accelerate action for a more equal world.
More human goodness you might like:
