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Jessica Rowe, 43, journalist
For more than a decade, Jessica Rowe has campaigned tirelessly to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health in Australia. “I want mental illness to become a hopeful story. It can be tragic at times, but it doesn’t have to define lives forever,” says Jessica.
Environmental crusader Natalie Isaacs started a national movement inspiring women to take practical action on climate change. “Women make 70% of the consumer decisions that affect a household’s carbon footprint. We have enormous influence and together we really can make a difference,” Natalie said.
Layne Beachley, 41
Six years ago, Eden Riley, launched an anonymous blog to share her IVF struggle–and her long-held love of writing has helped transformed the lives of others. “Using social media for good has been a huge triumph and I hope there will be further chances to raise awareness of issues like poverty and inequality,” said Riley.
As one of Australia’s first Aboriginal doctors, Professor Ngiare Brown 44, has devoted her career to giving indigenous health the platform it deserves. Her vision? Total equality in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders by 2030. “Indigenous people are at the heart of this country, and I’m passionate about our potential. I also want a life for our community where we don’t have to keep having the same conversations about disparity, discrimination and barriers,” Dr Brown said.
Editor of Prevention magazine, Jacqui Mooney, believes women over the age of 40 are rapidly becoming one of the most impressive, influential and empowered groups the world has ever seen.
“In Australia, there are 5 million 40+ women who are happier, healthier, wealthier and wiser than ever before. These women are a force to be reckoned with: kicking goals, blazing trails and making a global impact that will inspire future generations for years to come,” she said.
Australia’s 40 Most Inspiring Women Over 40 for 2013
The Game Changers
- Jessica Rowe 43, journalist
- Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO, 70, Governor-General of Australia
- Elizabeth Broderick 52, Sex Discrimination Commissioner
- Penny Wong 44, senator representing South Australia and Minister for Finance & Deregulation
- Ita Buttrose AO OBE, 71, National president of Alzheimer’s Australia & 2013 Australian of the Year
- Catherine Burn 49, Deputy Commissioner, Specialist Operations, NSW Police Force
- Dannielle Miller 43, Co-founder of Enlighten Education and author
- Shelley Barrett 40, CEO, ModelCo Cosmetics
The Philanthropists
- Natalie Isaacs 52, founder and CEO of 1 Million Women
- Barbara Hocking OAM, 65, board member, R U OK? Foundation
- Cassandra Treadwell 40, founder and executive director, So They Can
- Dr Lisa O’Brien 53, CEO, The Smith Family
- Melina Schamroth 42, social entrepreneur and founder, m.a.d.woman and Grateful in April
- Deborra-lee Furness 57, actress, director and founder of National Adoption Awareness Week
- Jessica Brown 42, founder and chief executive officer, Life Changing Experiences Foundation
- Lynne Sawyers 69, foster carer
The Wellness Warriors
- Layne Beachley 41, seven-time world surfing champion
- Sam Mostyn 47, commissioner, National Mental Health Commission and AFL Commission
- Dr Ginni Mansberg 45, GP, television presenter and author
- Petrea King 61, author and founder of the Quest for Life Foundation
- Nicole Livingstone OAM, 42, former Olympic swimmer, television sports commentator, founder and patron of Ovarian Cancer Australia
- Diana Williams 68, founder and owner, Fernwood Fitness
- Janella Purcell 44, naturopath, nutritionist and chef
- Helen Dalley 55, national news anchor on Sky News Australia, patron of Osteoporosis Australia
The Creative Minds
- Eden Riley 41, blogger and World Vision blog ambassador
- Lisa Wilkinson 53, journalist and co-host on the breakfast television program Today
- Julia Morris 45, comedian, actress on House Husbands and host of Australia’s Got Talent
- Debra Oswald 53, award-winning playwright, author, co-creator and head writer of Offspring
- Eve Lawson 49, ballet mistress and repetiteur at The Australian Ballet
- Jan Latta 55, wildlife photographer, children’s author, guest speaker and publisher
- Del Kathryn Barton 40, painter, sculptor and Archibald Prize winner (2008 and 2013
- Wendy Harmer 57, comedian, editor-in-chief of thehoopla.com.au and author
The Medical Pioneers
- Professor Ngiare Brown 44, foundation CEO of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association
- Dr Fiona Wood AM, 56, plastic surgeon and burns researcher, ‘spray-on skin’ cell technology pioneer
- Professor Fran Boyle AM, 51, medical oncologist specialising in breast cancer research
- Dr Catherine Hamlin AC, 89, fistula surgery pioneer, co-founder of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
- Dr Lynn Burmeister 46, fertility specialist
- Gabi Hollows AO, 60, founding director, The Fred Hollows Foundation
- Dr Kylie Mason 40, cancer survivor, blood cancer researcher at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
- Dr Kerryn Phelps AM, 55, GP, public health and human rights advocate, past president of the AMA
Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO, 70, Governor-General of Australia
LOVE this list!! Hurray for finally recognizing the achievements of wise women!
But you’re missing Amanda Gore and Michelle Ray, two amazing speakers and authors.
This is a list of “Australian” women and the two you mentioned are from North America and therefore, they don’t qualify for inclusion in the list.
Amanda lives there now. I know Michelle lives in Canada but she works at least part of the year in Australia and is originally from there.
Thank you Patti for the info. Firstly, we are only reporting on the list, it was actually created by Prevention magazine, not us. But in Prevention magazine’s defence, I would say it was probably very difficult for them to limit the list to just 40 names. But I think one of the reasons Amanda Gore and Michelle Ray weren’t included is because they don’t have high profiles in Australia. That’s the problem with lists like these, it only recognises the achievements of high profile women, the quiet achievers don’t rate a mention.