WOMEN OF THE FUTURE
This month I met with my fellow Women of the Future judges to talk about and promote this year’s campaign, and to encourage young Australian women to throw their hats in the ring (page 42). I marvelled with Ita Buttrose and Julie Bishop at the outstanding achievements of former finalists and winners. First-time judge and 2018 winner Sarah Moran spoke of her eagerness to get to know and encourage the next crop of passionate and driven women, just as she does with her own Girl Geek Academy. Journalist and presenter Narelda Jacobs shared her excitement about being on our panel for a second year while Caterina Nesci, from award sponsor La Trobe Financial, implored women everywhere to never stop reaching for the stars in pursuit of their dreams.
It was an inspiring and proud day for me, and one that always leaves me filled with hope about the future, not only for women but for the world. Hope that we as a society are moving forward, bridging inequality and creating a better tomorrow.
So it was even more jarring when news came that same week of the American Supreme Court’s decision to turn the clock back 50 years by overturning the Roe v. Wade ruling. As our US correspondent Nick Bryant puts it: “In an instant, millions of America women had control of what happens to their own bodies taken away from them.” We look at what the decision means not only for the women’s movement and the future of things like IVF and birth control, but also the broader implications for an already divided nation (page 30).
In another corner of the world, Editor-at-Large Juliet Rieden sat down with the Duchess of Cornwall as she celebrates her 75th birthday. Juliet found the future Queen Consort in fine spirits as she shared stories on everything from her simple country childhood to her special bond with the late Prince Philip (page 22).