With less than one week until International Women’s Day and Queensland Women’s Week for 2023, it’s time to recognise the local inspirational women in our region.
Some community women go above and beyond what’s required of them.
These women give their heart and soul to the projects and causes they’re passionate about supporting, and they’re living examples of the good in the world.
These women are an inspiration simply because they’re brave enough to share themselves and their stories in the hope of inspiring others.
They don’t look for praise or recognition; they go about their business with the hope of making a difference in this world and make a difference they do.
Two inspirational women who’ve shaped me into the woman I am today are my Grandmothers, Sarah (Shirley) Wooler and Glenda Ross. In their own unique way, they’ve significantly influenced the person I am.
Sarah (Shirley) Wooler was a nurse, mother and devoted volunteer.
Grandma Wooler always believed in helping others and giving what she could to those who needed help or who were less fortunate.
As a nurse, her firm but empathetic approach was much loved by her colleagues, patients and grandchildren.
Her home was always open to family and friends, and the creations from her kitchen were enjoyed by many across the region.
Grandma Wooler taught me the importance of caring for others and the personal value and benefit of giving your time to serve another.
Understanding that a contribution may seem small on the surface, but the compound impact of consistently giving your gifts to the world is significant.
Glenda Ross was the fiercest and most determined woman I imagine I’ll ever meet.
Gone far too soon, the privilege of having her in my life for 27 years helped shape and influence the strength and courage I wake up with each day.
Often her life is one I reflect on, and I enjoy frequent moments of comparison, which offers me the push of confidence I know she’d give me if she were still here.
Her influence and memory will never be forgotten for as long as I live because I won’t waste the gifts she gave me.
A staunch union advocate with a fire in her belly and determination in her heart, bringing it all together with an intelligent approach to connect the dots and make a positive difference.
Fiercely determined to stand up for the rights of others in the workplace, in health care and in general, she was never one to back down from a challenge or advocate for those who couldn’t do it for themselves.
Our parents give us life. Our grandparents give us a sense of who we are and where we came from.
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me, Lord’, because both of my grandmothers certainly did.
This year’s International Women’s Day (8 March 2023) theme is Embrace Equity, and Queensland Women’s Week (5 to 12 March 2023) is Empower her voice; secure her future.
Both messages encourage us to acknowledge that we all have a role to play in creating a Queensland and international community that respects women and embraces gender equity (different to equality).
“If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou, Pulitzer-prize nominated poet.
