Independent Member for Alfred Cove Dr Janet Woollard celebrated International Women’s Day this week addressing girls from the senior school at Santa Maria College.

“International Women’s Day is a great time to reflect on women’s achievements in their personal, professional and public life,” said Dr Woollard.

“This special day helps us to recognise the significant work our mothers, grandmothers, and great great grandmothers played in working towards equality and how they have created
opportunities for women in future generations.”

Dr Woollard said that her main message to the 600 senior girls in attendance was that they are already, and can continue to make a difference in the community.

“Inspirational women such as Professor Lyn Beazley, Dr Fiona Wood, Professor Fiona Stanley, Michelle Scott, Dr Rosanna Capolingua and others have shown that today it is possible to have a family as well as excelling in their careers and contributing towards the community,” said Dr Woollard.

“Despite some stark statistics indicating that women have a long way to go before gender equality is attained, I wanted the girls to know that women’s rights have progressed significantly.

“Our future women leaders now have both the ability as well as the opportunity to build on the work of those before them to close the gender gap.”

Dr Woollard had the opportunity meet and interact with the student leaders at Santa Maria following her talk.