International Women's Day 2023

International Women's Day on 8 March 2023 is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

To celebrate the day locally, we brought together six local women who are doing amazing things in our community to highlight their work and achievements.

We asked them their thoughts about International Women’s Day and what the day means to them.

MEET ALYCE NELLIGAN

Disability Advocate, Political Activist, and Fashion Brand Ambassador

International Women’s Day is extremely important to me. It’s a day in which I can highlight the issues that still affect women from marginalised communities while also celebrating the progress we have made and the achievements of women everywhere.

I feel that media and brands have a responsibility to show women doing incredible things and celebrating women every day of the year. How else will young women become inspired? They need to be empowered. We also need men to step up and promote women’s equality. They need to call out sexism, misogyny, and domestic violence.

Women play a critical role in shaping and driving societal change. They are so often at the front of movements for change because it’s their rights that are impacted. It is through their advocacy that political, or systems change.

As a woman with a disability this year’s theme is very personal to me as it aligns with my hopes for the future. The future I envision is accessible, it’s equitable and inclusive. A world where difference is not erased but valued. Women with disabilities are some of the most disadvantaged in our community, with lower levels of education and higher levels of poverty, exploitation and abuse. My dream is to ensure their needs are understood and that we make the change needed. Let’s make it women’s rights an intersectional movement and end those abhorrent statistics.

Alyce Nelligan is a disability advocate, political activist, and proud disabled woman. She partners with community organisations including being part of the Y Connect Advisory Committee for the YWCA.  She is also a brand ambassador for the Australian fashion boutique Little Party Dress and can be found @princessspeedy on Instagram.

MEET AMANDA DALTON

Founder and CEO of Protea Place Women’s Support Centre

For me, International Women’s Day means an opportunity for all women to have a voice; and to have a specific day that we can all really embrace and make it whatever it needs to be for us.

I believe we can all embrace gender equality by making it our norm, by including it into everything that we do, not just as women, but as a community. I think normalising it is important, so it doesn’t have to become something that we have to do…it’s just there.

Women play an incredible role in shaping societal changes, and it comes through our ability to never give up, to get out there and have a go; and not shy away from the challenges.

My message to everyone for IWD is to just get out there and have a go.

To find out more about the amazing work Amanda does, and how you can help, go to https://proteaplace.org.au/

MEET CHERYL MOGGS

First Nation/Bigambul women. Teacher, visual artist and weaver, advocate for social justice.

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate, pay respect, and showcase the achievements, support and resilience of our amazing women in our local communities.

Gender equality begins at home, schools, workplace and our communities. It everyone’s responsibility. Labels don’t define people. Freedom to be what we choose to be is gender equality.

Women in our communities are leaders and champions of change, In culture, education, workplaces, arts and the status quo. A voice for all.

My International Women’s Day Message to the women of Toowoomba is, Dare to Be Different, for difference is uniqueness. Follow your passion for change. Living legacies are by women, you are that person. We thank you.

Find more on Cheryl and her special artworks on Instagram @chripee54

MEET JENNIFER

Artist and inspiration.

On International Women's Day we celebrate the progress achieved for women's rights, equal wages and the vote. Thankfully, women scientists no longer have to resign if they marry. My single parent family escaped DV and my life was advanced with free university education. I entrust future progress to our brilliant young women. They will support each other and continue to advocate for equity and justice.

We all have a choice whether or not we become honourable ancestors, and we still a way to go.

Jennifer is an active artist in the Toowoomba community and her artworks can be found throughout the township.

MEET JEN SHAW

Founder of EMERGE Toowoomba

International Women’s Day means reflecting and celebrating the amazing women around us who nurture, care, show up and make change around us; paving the way for the little women around us.

As a mum of 6 daughters (one of which who has a birthday on International Women’s Day) I think it’s important to celebrate to show our young women what’s possible.

Keep giving opportunities for women to show up and celebrate them when they do.

Jen “loves kids back to life” - find out more about her amazing work, and how you can help, go to https://emergeyouth.org.au/

MEET TRACEY SCANLAN 

International Women’s Day is all about celebrating the diversity of all women across our society.

Gender equality is a really important subject and needs to be embraced from an early age. We need to be talking to and empowering our young people and helping them grow; and also acknowledging and celebrating their achievements.

Diversity and embracing equity are very important to empower all of our community as valued citizens.

We’re lucky to have so many inspiring women here in the Toowoomba community, a special thanks to Alyce, Amanda, Jen, Cheryl, Tracey and Jennifer.

Here’s to them, and everyone within our community who strives to build gender quality, creating equal rights for all.