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‘Be curious’ and ‘choose to try’ key advice from inspiring Young Australians this International Women’s Day

  • 7 March 2024

How can we Inspire Inclusion to make a real, lasting difference?

In the lead-up to International Women’s Day 2024, Auspire – Australia Day Council WA hosted a Lunch with Leaders with two remarkable women who are inspiring inclusion every day, to answer this very question.

People from all around Australia joined us in their living rooms, offices, board rooms and cars to hear from She Codes Australia founder, Kate Kirwin, and para-athlete and disability advocate, Madison Heady, to discover their motivations, journeys, impacts and aspirations for a more inclusive, equitable future.

The duo spoke of the beginning of their respective journeys – Kate, who has no background in tech, but loves creating and learning; and Madison, who when diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy as a baby, her parents were told she would never roll over or sit up.

people on zoom event making a heart with their fingers

Since then, Kate has changed the landscape of tech and generated opportunities for thousands of women from diverse backgrounds to enter the field, while Madison is a medal-winning athlete with her sights set on future competitions, all while building a business of inclusion education consultants. It is little wonder they were both recognised in the 2024 Australian of the Year Awards.

Throughout the online event, they shared inspiring messages full of motivation – Kate encouraged listeners to be curious, personable and if you can’t find the opportunity, create it. Madison, who credits her devoted parents for teaching her resilience and courage, urges us all to open our minds, believe in all abilities and choose to try.

This was not just a call to people to inspire inclusion, but for people to believe in themselves that they deserve it.

To hear Madison debunking myths and her top tips for introducing an inclusive environment, as well as Kate’s cupcake effect and data-driven argument for diversity in tech, plus the programs you can experience from both speakers, watch or listen to the recording below.

 

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