50 of the world’s most admired female figures

“Turia Pitt for her never-give-up-on-life attitude. She received burns to 65 per cent of her body. After years of operations and pain she completed the ironman race. She got married and had a baby. She is so inspirational; no matter what the circumstances, you keep going, one step at a time.” – Rocco Cacia

“Rosie the Riveter is the embodiment of all the good of a woman. Smart, takes action, a never-die attitude and mostly because she stood tall when her country needed her and led many others both in her country and out of it. She went on to inspire many other women in England, Australia and New Zealand to this day.” – Helen McMullan

“Former army captain, cricket commentator, transgender representative and spokesperson. Catherine McGregor has shown that transwomen can be beautiful, eloquent and respected by the community.” – Sue McCombe

“Julia Gillard, because even though she was harassed by the media and other politicians in regard to her dress style, they should have been concentrating on the brilliant policies she was responsible for.” – Karen Maher

“Timeless, generational, inspirational, her movies are so varied. She is always going out of her comfort zone for audience enjoyment.” – Sharon Lee Mercovich

As a female scientist myself I can’t help but admire her pioneering discovery and application or radioactivity, as well the fact that she was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first female professor at the University of Paris. Not forgetting her proactivity in equipping ambulances with X-ray equipment and even driving them to the frontline herself during the First World War! These would all be amazing achievements today and she did it all in the 19th century!” – Tamara Gray

“Madame Curie, as she persisted in her search and never gave up. Her achievement in winning two Nobel Prizes is remarkable.” – Rosanna Toso

“She proved she was more than just a talented performer when she took up the position of co-creative director of the prestigious Sydney Theatre Company. Blanchett has been compared with the great Meryl Streep for her ability to portray a vast range of characters, but it is her recent work behind the scenes that has cemented her as an industry powerhouse.” – Peter Matheos

“Dian Fossey, because she stood up for what she believed, which ultimately cost her life.” – Melissa Turner

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as she rose from modest roots to America’s Supreme Court, where she brought in a perspective benefiting American society. She demonstrates that when more people become free in their action and motivations, we all become freer in a hopeful thought process.” – Helen Baxter

“Emmeline Pankhurst, who shaped an idea of women for our time and shook society into a pattern from which there was no return. She endured many struggles and challenges, like being jailed a dozen times, yet persevered and accomplished her dream of giving women the right to vote.” – Linda Stanton