Australia’s Top 40 Women Over 40 for 2013

Prevention magazine has unveiled its annual list of the 40 most inspiring Australian women over 40. Topping the list this year are game changer Jessica Rowe, philanthropist Natalie Isaacs, wellness warrior Layne Beachley, creative mind Eden Rily, and medical pioneer Professor Ngiare Brown.

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.

She may be Australia’s most successful female surfer, but a lengthy battle with chronic fatigue in her 20s taught Layne Beachley the true meaning of health. “It’s amazing how much better I felt after finally honouring what my body truly needed – good food, exercise and rest.”

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