Elizabeth Broderick Awarded Top Honour at 100 Women of Influence Awards 2014

Elizabeth Broderick, was recognised for her leadership in the field of sex discrimination, as well as her significant contribution to the social and economic advancement of women, at the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards held in Sydney last night.

In her role as Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick has been an influential voice for many important initiatives and policies, including the Commission’s Review into the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force and the Male Champions of change strategy.

Speaking at the Gala Awards Event at Sydney Town Hall, Westpac Group Chief Executive Officer Gail Kelly said: “Elizabeth has dedicated a significant portion of her professional career to the advancement of women in Australia and internationally.”

“Elizabeth’s excellent work as Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner has been far-reaching, ranging from preventing violence against women to improving lifetime economic security. Her dedication to ensuring women have access to more flexible balanced paid work and unpaid caring is something I particularly commend, as I believe this will make a tangible difference to the economic prosperity of Australia.”

The 100 Women of Influence Awards 2014 recognised ten women in the categories of Board/Management, Public Policy, Young Leader, Social Enterprise and Not-for-profit, Philanthropy, Global Influence, Innovation, Local/Regional Community, Diversity and Business Enterprise.

• Overall Winner and Diversity Winner: Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights Commission
• Board/Management: Anne-Marie Corboy, CEO, HESTA Super Fund
• Business Enterprise: Dr Alex Birrell, CEO, Paftec
• Global: Professor Ann Henderson-Sellers, Professor Emerita, Macquarie University
• Innovation: Professor Rebecca Ivers, Director, Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health
• Local/ Regional: Linda O’Brien, Principal, Granville Boys’ High School, NSW Department of Education
• Philanthropy: Janette Savage, Regional Coordinator/ Funding Chairperson, Cancer Care Western NSW Inc
• Public Policy: Professor Jane Halton, Secretary, Department of Finance, Australian Government
• Social Enterprise/ Not-for-Profit: Jo Cavanagh, CEO, Family Life
• Young Leader: Genevieve Clay-Smith, Co-founder, Bus Stop Films & Taste Creative

Now in it’s 3rd year, the 100 Women of Influence had some healthy competition in 2014 for the hearts and minds of Australia’s highest achieving women, from the Australian Women’s Weekly Power List published in the October edition of the Australian Women’s Weekly.

While the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards chose to give it’s top honour for 2014 to Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, the Australian Women’s Weekly Power List gave theirs to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, ahead of Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s Chief of Staff Peta Credlin. Judges for the AWW Power List considered Ms Broderick to be only the 20th most powerful woman in the country.

The complete list of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence 2014 can be found online at the Financial Review website.