WOMEN WHO INSPIRE US
Part two of our special feature for International Women’s Day on March 8
TO CELEBRATE International Women’s Day, we sat down with a number of women with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
Whether they fled their war-torn countries, survived breast cancer, advocate for people living with disabilities or inspire the people around them, their ability to show up despite adversity is truly inspiring.
Alexis Wendt, 21
At only 21, Alexis Wendt has been involved with the St Vincent de Paul Society for about four years and now volunteers as a senior leader for the Toowoomba Sense program and the Vinnies Community Sleepout initiative.
Studying education at the University of Southern Queensland, Miss Wendt has received awards for her volunteering and this World Youth Day will go with a Vinnies group to Portugal.
Miss Wendt said she believed to be a strong woman meant to always get back up when you were pushed down.
“Never let anyone underestimate you,” she said.
“No matter where you come from, what you look like or what education or experience you have, do not allow someone to overlook you when you’re trying to achieve your goals.
“Be fierce, be strong, and advocate for what you want to do.”
Alyce Nelligan, 36
Born with minicore myopathy, a rare and complex muscle disease, Alyce Nelligan has dedicated her life to advocating for the disability community.
Inspired by Australian comedian and activist Stella Young, Ms Nelligan said she would not be the person she was today without the public figure’s influence.
Young was also one of the few people living with disabilities who was provided with a platform at the time.
“When I was younger we didn’t have role models like we do now like Carly Findlay and Dylan Alcott on the TV,” Ms Nelligan said.
“I was a shy, young person with a disability and then here came Stella who was proud and loud and I credit her for my personal growth.”
The social justice advocate said women and the disability community were still fighting for basic human rights with barriers surrounding abuse, healthcare and education still present.
“Don’t ever let someone put you in a box – take it from someone who has been put in a box their entire life,” Ms Nelligan said.
Cloe Terare, 26
From the moment singer songwriter Cloe Terare picked up a mic for the first time it was clear to everyone she belonged on the stage.
After taking a hiatus from music before resuming in 2019, Ms Terare was awarded the $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship at the 2022 Queensland Music Awards and gained prominence as one of the country’s most promising musicians to watch.
The Indigenous woman was also named a Triple-J Unearthed artist for her single Cadillac and selected for the Triple-J Hottest 100’s voting shortlist.
Sadly the Toowoomba artist is well aware of the glass ceiling that plagues her industry as well as others.
“A strong woman is someone who is not just putting up with the patriarchal society we live in now but thriving in it,” she said.
“The biggest barrier to empowerment for women in 2023 is largely the culture we have and general lack of respect for women, especially in my field.”
Ms Terare said problematic behaviour included “locker room talk” and sayings like “boys will be boys” justifying harmful behaviour.
“We need to hold people accountable and call out that behaviour when we see it,” she said.
Danielle Tuite, 39
For the past two decades, Danielle Tuite has volunteered with the Rural Fire Service to make a difference in the lives of the people who live in the small community of Thargomindah.
Located in the Shire of Bulloo, the rural town is 200km west of Cunnamulla and has an estimated population of about 270 people.
Starting out as a RFES member, Ms Tuite was appointed first officer in 2019 and is now responsible for developing a positive culture at the Thargomindah station and keeping the community safe.
While Ms Tuite loves her role, she admits it can be challenging in a small town where she personally knows many of the people involved in devastating situations including structure fires and traffic incidents.
She said the gratitude and support received from the community and regional management team over the years had been “second to none”.
Her advice for the next generation of women was to treat others how they would like to be treated, remain strong and do what makes them happy.
Indea Weisfelt, 35
After learning first-hand about the devastating consequences of not prioritising your health and wellbeing, Indea Weisfelt has a clear message for the next generation of women – and men.
“Be bold, be brave, be unashamedly yourself, set boundaries and prioritise yourself,” she said.
The mother-of-three, who opened The Farm Shop Toowoomba – a popular produce delivery business based at her family farm in Westbrook, had a scary experience with cancer last year when doctors found a lump in her breast.
After undergoing treatment and a double mastectomy, Ms Weisfelt is relieved to be in remission and passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally.
When she became a mum for the first time, she had to step away from her radiographer occupation – a huge sacrifice to her career progression, financial independence and security.
“It’s the age-old story of balancing your lifestyle, career, finances and motherhood,” Ms Weisfelt said.
Inspired by her partner Damon Atkinson and relatable social media mums who bare it all, Ms Weisfelt said the courageous act of Jacinda Ardern was particularly aspirational when the former New Zealand Prime Minister stepped down from her leadership role.
Janine Hegarty, 58
She has worked on the frontline of major flood disasters in Maryborough and NSW, but courage, strength and a stoic attitude runs in SES volunteer Janine Hegarty’s genes.
Ms Hegarty has been assisting the community in their biggest times of need through the SES since 2009 and now volunteers as group leader of the Warwick branch.
Formerly a nurse, the active volunteer now works at a training organisation where she passes her knowledge about the disability, aged care and health sectors on to others.
“As a nurse I dealt with trauma a lot in my professional life, so over the years I have developed the coping skills needed (for the SES),” Ms Hegarty said.
“It is quite traumatic seeing people’s lives destroyed and
the emotional responses of others in those situations, but I’m glad I can help people in need.”
Ms Hegarty said she lived by the saying “what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger” – a notion her Sicilian grandmother instilled in her.
Josephine Mardini, 50
As a woman who chose to stay with her elderly parents when ISIS invaded Damascas, Syria, Josephine Mardini has seen the best and worst of humanity.
Trained as a civil engineer, Ms Mardini was eventually able to escape her war-torn homeland with her brother after her parents passed away, and in 2019, relocated to Australia.
Now, she volunteers with St Vincent de Paul Society helping other refugees and migrants settle in Toowoomba, has gained a certificate in interpretation and works at the Toowoomba Hospital, and became a member of City Women/Sisters and the choir Women in Harmony.
“No matter how high you are, be humble, generous and realistic. This is what I learnt from my parents,” she said.
Now at 50 years old, Ms Mardini said women should not be afraid of changes and to take new steps in their lives.
Kylie Meagher, 52
For the past 12 years, Kylie Meagher has volunteered with Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland and in the past 15 months has also signed up to support Pyjama Angels.
For four days a week, she also works at Geham State School and said the biggest piece of advice she ever received was to be mindful that everyone was fighting their own battle.
“To be a strong woman means to be independent, resilient, confident and persistent,” she said.
“Some of the biggest barriers
to female empowerment are traditional stereotypes and a woman’s own limitations including a lack of self confidence and courage.
“Be honest, brave, generous and respectful. Stay true to your beliefs.”
Stephanie Andrews, 54
It’s been a challenging journey for Stephanie Andrews who has faced adversity her entire life.
Born with an intellectual disability in a time when there was limited understanding, Ms Andrews often felt judged and underestimated by teachers at school.
“I couldn’t understand why I was different and couldn’t do what the other kids could do – I didn’t learn like them,” she said.
“My teachers wouldn’t listen to me and thought I was making it up for attention, but I actually had an intellectual disability that I didn’t even know I had.”
Ms Andrews also has severe anxiety and Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures – attacks which are non-epileptic and often caused by psychological factors.
In late 2022, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in her leg which has since spread to her lungs.
After undergoing 25 sessions of radiation in the past three months, medical professionals were able to remove the tumour in her leg and she is now waiting on further treatment for her lungs.
“Life is like a box of chocolates and you never know what you’re going to get,” Ms Andrews said.
“For someone like me who (lives with a) disability, life is a hurdle, life is a challenge, and life is tough, but whatever happens, you can’t give up.”
The single mum also raised two adult daughters who she is tremendously proud of.
Yamamah Mito, 21
In 2018, Yamamah Mito arrived in Australia with her parents and three siblings as refugees after fleeing Iraq.
The 21-year-old said her father’s wise advice of never giving up on her dreams has always stayed close to her heart.
After seeing how hard her family continually works for her, she hopes that one day she can be “successful in the future to be able to do the same thing for (her) family and give them happiness as they did” for her.
For Miss Mito, the biggest barrier for a woman can be the fear of the unknown.
“Fear of doing something she wants to do but doesn’t do it,” she said.
“Don’t be shy. Always be a strong woman and believe in yourself.”