#tellyourstory
Our #tellyourstory initiative shines a light on the powerful journeys of women in our community who have overcome adversity and now inspire others facing similar challenges. By sharing these stories, we amplify voices, raise awareness, and spark meaningful change in our community. Together, we can create a ripple effect that not only brings hope and unity but also influences impactful policy changes at both State and National levels. Every story shared helps to build a stronger, more supportive future for all.
Since its launch, #tellyourstory has been incredibly successful, gaining both national and international followers. The initiative has resonated widely, inspiring meaningful conversations and fostering a groundswell of support. By showcasing these remarkable stories, we’re creating real change—driving awareness, empowering communities, and influencing the policies that shape our future.
“Owning our story Can be hard, but not as difficult as spending our lives running from it.”
Brene Brown
Womn-Kind
Ruby is the founder of Womn-Kind, a leading youth mental health organization dedicated to closing the gap in effective wellbeing education and support for young people. They offer low-intensity, strengths-based, and largely preventative mental health support through in-person and online programs and resources. Womn-Kind provides accessible support in an approachable, relatable, and non-intimidating way, fostering a community where girls and gender-diverse young people can share their emotions and experiences. Ruby has led Womn-Kind through the development and launch of school wellbeing workshops, the Womn-Kind App, the "Dear Sister: A Womn-Kind Podcast," partnerships, events, merchandise, and more. Growing up on a farm in Regional NSW, she later attended boarding school, university, and college in Sydney. Since founding Womn-Kind in 2020, Ruby has supported over 20,000 young people across Australia. She has been selected as a Future Women Rural Scholarship Recipient, named a finalist in the Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award, shortlisted for the Young Australian of the Year Award, and nominated for the NSW Young Woman of the Year.
The Rainbow Shoelace Project
The Rainbow Shoelace Project is the brainchild of 12-year-old Abbie Jane who, with her friend Max Dawnn started giving out Rainbow Shoelace beads in their hometown of Broken Hill. The idea came to Abbie when she was worried about wearing Pride flag-coloured beads on her converse to high school, as she was worried that she would be bullied. Abbie felt scared and alone. Abbie realised that other kids might be feeling the same way and decided that it would be great for a queer kid to feel that they are supported by seeing their peers wearing Pride flag-coloured beads. The aim of the project is to show support to the LGBTIQ+ community by wearing Pride coloured beads on your shoelaces. Members of the LGBTQI+ community and their allies are encouraged to join this project by wearing the beads.
Bravery Buddies
Bravery Buddies are a collection of dolls for children who are impacted by medical related hair loss – from cancer treatment or alopecia. These special dolls send the message “you are not alone”. They are inclusive dolls for both boys and girls of different ethnicities created to offer comfort and bring a glimmer of joy to the lives of children affected by cancer. The Bravery Buddies have no hair, just like a lot of children who are battling cancer or alopecia. The aim is for the dolls’ physical appearance to help sick kids feel like they’ve got an empathetic friend on their side. To be able to look at their special friend and think, “Hey, you’re just like me.” Children are able to form a bond with their dolls, to share their experiences – to be a friend to them when they need one most. Over 6000 Bravery Buddies have been distributed across Australia since our founding in 2018 however the sad fact is that our job will never be finished as over 800 children every year are diagnosed with cancer in addition to the many thousands of children who are impacted through the diagnosis of a parent or loved one and of course the children who are diagnosed with alopecia which is very often a life long condition.
Sapphire Parsons
Sapphire is a Senior Associate in Workplace Law at Macpherson Kelley, specializing in employment, discrimination, industrial relations, and psychological safety. A survivor of domestic and gendered violence, she channels her experiences into education, advocacy, and collaboration. In 2023, she won the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Award for Workplace Health and Safety and was nominated for the National Protective Services Safety and Wellbeing in the Workplace Award. Sapphire was also selected as a Bond University Ambassador for their 2023 Giving Day. In 2022, she won the Rising Star of the Year Award at the Women in Law Awards and was a finalist for the Innovator of the Year and Women in Law Excellence Awards, as well as the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards for Workplace Health and Safety.
Asha Bhat OAM
Asha is the CEO of Southern Aboriginal Corporation (SAC) and an internationally recognized businesswoman passionate about social justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion. Under her leadership, SAC leads initiatives in affordable housing, employment, youth empowerment, suicide prevention, health advocacy, family violence support, and legal services. Asha notably expanded family violence prevention legal services, improving justice access for Aboriginal individuals. As an Australian, Indian migrant woman heading an Indigenous organization, she skillfully integrates diverse cultures to create impactful solutions. Her contributions to Australian society have earned her numerous accolades, including the Community Citizen of the Year Award (2017), Order of Australia Medal (2022), WA Women’s Hall of Fame induction (2023), WA Award for Excellence in Women’s Leadership (2024), and various national and international awards for gender equality and leadership.
(Waskam) Emelda Davis
Emelda is the first Black woman elected to serve on the City of Sydney Council in its 180-year history, representing the Clover Moore Independent Team. A second-generation Australian South Sea Islander (ASSI) and Pyrmont resident of over 20 years, Emelda has worked across corporate, grassroots, and government sectors, advising State and Federal agencies on Indigenous knowledge. On Council, Emelda serves as Deputy Chair of the Resilient Communities Committee and represents the Lord Mayor on both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Advisory Panels. A passionate advocate for Australian South Sea Islanders, she led the recognition of the Blackbirded South Sea Islanders' 175th anniversary, establishing an annual flag-raising ceremony and encouraging councils nationwide to follow suit.
As founder of ASSI – Port Jackson, Emelda’s achievements include serving on the CALD Panel for Women’s Business, receiving an NSW Parliament Recognition Statement, and earning numerous awards, including the NSW Premier's Human Rights Award and the 2017 Rotary Inspirational Woman honor. Her pioneering ASSI oral history thesis, Children of the Sugar Slaves; Black and Resilient, highlights her commitment to heritage and resilience. Emelda also advises Politics in Colour, collaborates with ASSI leaders and Vanuatu Government officials, and sits on the Board of Trustees for the International Coalition Sites of Conscience. An advocate for climate justice and social housing, she views her role on Council as an opportunity to drive meaningful change across communities.