Woman of the year named

Social enterprise founder’s efforts awarded during celebration

EMERGE founder Jen Shaw’s work with youth homelessness in Toowoomba has been recognised by the Zonta Club of Toowoomba.

The club celebrated yesterday’s International Women’s Day Luncheon at the Toowoomba Golf Club, where Mrs Shaw was named this year’s Zonta Woman of the Year.

Zonta Club of Toowoomba president Kathryn Galea said the award paid tribute to a woman from the Toowoomba region who was making a significant contribution to support and enhance social, economic, cultural or environmental prosperity of the region.

“It provides an opportunity for the community to gain inspiration from a woman, who through her achievements and demonstrated leadership has provided an outstanding service to the community,” she said.

Mrs Shaw joins previous award winners such Mary Wagner, Joy Mingay, Letitia Shelton, Dr Sharyn Donaldson and more.

The award-winner said she was surprised when she received the news two weeks ago.

“It’s amazing and I am still in a bit of shock to be honest,” Mrs Shaw said.

“I work hard on the ground. I am very much on the streets with young people and it blew my mind that other people had been noticing what we had been doing.

“It’s a great time to be alive for a woman. We are presented so many opportunities on the backs of women who have worked and fought hard for us to have those opportunities.”

Mrs Shaw said she was blown away to be acknowledged with the previous award winners.

International Women’s Day is a day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.

Former television personality and part-time commissioner on Queensland Criminal Justice Commission Dina Browne was the event’s guest speaker.