Women of Colour Australia

Are you a Woman of Colour working in the Australian Public Service (APS), looking to accelerate your career and enhance your leadership skills? We are very excited to announce an upcoming Women of Colour Executive Leadership Program (WoC ELP) 2025 for our ACT and NSW cohorts! Join us for an exclusive virtual information session tailored specifically for Women of Colour in the APS on Thursday, 17th October 2024, 12pm-1pm AEDT via MS Teams. During the session, you will: ✅ Learn about the program's structure, content, and key benefits. ✅ Hear from ELP alumnae about their personal experiences and success stories. ✅ Gain valuable knowledge from industry experts on the APS context and leadership strategies. ✅ Get insights into the application process and tips for submitting a strong application. ✅ Have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with fellow APS professionals. We're pleased to share that we already have attendees from various departments, including the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australian Public Service Commission, Australian Taxation Office, ASIC, Australian Government Department of Finance, Defence Australia, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Commonwealth Treasury, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your network and learn alongside professionals from diverse sectors within the APS! While applications are not open yet, this information session is a crucial step to prepare for the upcoming WoC ELP 2025. The program is designed to empower Women of Colour to achieve their full potential, offering: 🔷 Contextualised leadership development programs 🔷 Access to mentoring and networking opportunities 🔷 One-on-one coaching and support Don't miss this chance to invest in your career and join a network of inspiring leaders! To attend the information session, register at the link below: https://lnkd.in/gYY2H3-t We look forward to supporting you on your leadership journey and sharing more about the application process during the event! Our sincere thanks to the CALD Strategy Team at the Australian Public Service Commission for their proactive efforts in circulating the information session details among various agencies.

⏰ Tick-tock, only 3 Days Left! We’re just 3 days away from the submission deadline for the Women of Colour in STEM Awards. This is your moment to shine—a chance to own your achievements and celebrate your impact! 📅 Hurry, submissions close 14th Oct, EOD Remember, no nominations are needed to enter, you can simply submit your entry - https://lnkd.in/gv47M5gv Who is your STEM superhero? Don’t keep her a secret! Tag a phenomenal woman of colour who’s changing the game in STEM. 🌍💫 For more information, visit www.wocinstemawards.org #WOCinSTEMAwards #WOCinSTEM #WomenInSTEM #STEMSisters National Association of Women in Construction (AU) Australian Information Security Association (AISA) Women in Construction ACS (Australian Computer Society) Engineers Australia UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Women of Colour Australia Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Society for Medical and Biological Engineering NSW Systems Engineering Society of Australia Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia SENG - Sustainable Engineering Society Environmental Health Australia Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action AgLink Australia Australian Water Association Ag Institute Australia (AIA) Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) NSW Health Victorian Department of Health Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association (AHHA) Public Health Australia Australian Health Promotion Association Australian Dental Association Australian Medical Association Australian Medical Association (WA) The Royal Australasian College of Physicians Queensland Health SA Health NT Health Department of Transport and Planning NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Department of State Development and Infrastructure Department for Infrastructure and Transport Office of the Chief Scientist Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Planning Institute of Australia

To get 20% off your tickets, key in WOC. #Newkind2024

Thank you GoFundMe for including us. https://lnkd.in/gs57dXtG

Operation disrespect: the experiences of a black women in leadership Self-acclaimed allies often take offence at your refusal to be represented. Your insistence on being an equal is perceived as a hostile takeover of their entitlement to be your voice. To be the only absolute authority. Should you ascend a social hierarchy and invert the traditional racial hierarchy that presumed their status and privilege, your existence may be experienced as an offence. Many usually have good intentions but limited frames of reference. They have rare experiences of people like you as leaders, and socialisation works against experiences of equality. You can only then be comfortably 'enjoyed' as the represented. To find yourself in a leadership position is to be approached as an empty 'diversity' token. And should you manage to be 'articulate', you will quickly fall from grace and become an 'annoying' and 'difficult' experience or an intolerable threat. I intend to comply. We don't sell dignity in these street. We intend to assert our claims to the full measure of human dignity and respect - whatever the price. It will be paid. We do it daily anyway, it is called another Tuesday while black. We know the price. It is the harms from daily degradations to outright hostility. It is the witnesses who recommend self-care as a sufficient ointment for systemic abuse. It is the demand this is all we derserve as the most gracious act of generosity since; after all, we are yet to be accused of playing the 'race card' or being labelled emotional or angry. We know the options within these powers. We can purchase safety with silence, or some means will be found to remind us of our place: that the benefit of our appearance was needed, and the comfort of our silence guaranteed its only value. One can function to serve as a silent emblem representing aims of progressive allyship. Accepting, why have a voice when you have a representative? Should you need more, you will be the pretty picture on the cover of their report, splashed across pages for emphasis so you won't be missed at the next board meeting. A 'decision' has been made that your importance must be displayed to show the solidarity of the women's rights sisterhood. The rest will also be done - for your welfare - starting with how to tell your story. It would be so genuine and authentic that you won't know they are speaking about you - for they'll start by getting your name wrong. And you must answer. After all, who needs the facts? What is required is a face—a corporate blackface. These are my observations about the great privileges of leadership and its great perils. I wear a black skin. My daughter wears it with her school uniform. I know what that racial passport means. It is not a reason to despair, nor something to deny—call it the gender racial gap, the gender racial dignity gap, or the gender racial respect gap. It exists in many names for women don't shared the "same terms of oppression."

Have you ever found yourself whispering “I can’t” or thinking “I’m not good enough”? It’s time to challenge those thoughts. 📅 11 days to go - Don’t miss this chance to be recognised among peers and leaders who are shaping the future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Applications end 14 October EOD. Submit your entry here - https://lnkd.in/gv47M5gv Remember, you don't need to have a nomination to enter or even submit a self-nomination—if you want to apply, go ahead! This is your platform to share your journey, highlight your innovations, and empower the next generation of women in STEM. 🚀 For more information visit www. wocinstemawards.org #WOCinSTEMAwards #WOCinSTEM #WomenInSTEM National Association of Women in Construction (AU) Australian Information Security Association (AISA) Women in Construction ACS (Australian Computer Society) Engineers Australia UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Women of Colour Australia Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Society for Medical and Biological Engineering NSW Systems Engineering Society of Australia Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia SENG - Sustainable Engineering Society Environmental Health Australia Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action AgLink Australia Australian Water Association Ag Institute Australia (AIA) Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) NSW Health Victorian Department of Health Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association (AHHA) Public Health Australia Australian Health Promotion Association Australian Dental Association Australian Medical Association Australian Medical Association (WA) The Royal Australasian College of Physicians Queensland Health SA Health NT Health Department of Transport and Planning NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Department of State Development and Infrastructure Department for Infrastructure and Transport Office of the Chief Scientist Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer

Thank you for sharing your reflections, Heeyoung! #WoCELP2024Victoria

This week I had the privilege to support the facilitation of the second module of the Women of Colour Executive Leadership Program Victoria (WoC ELP Victoria), and what a transformative experience it was! Over two days, we had the opportunity to learn from the amazing Winitha Bonney OAM, who facilitated a powerful session on "Cultivating Authentic Communication and Honouring Unique Styles." What stood out for me was Winitha’s approach to decolonising communication—challenging traditional norms and encouraging us to express ourselves in ways that reflect our true identities. It was inspiring to discover that embracing our unique communication styles not only elevates our leadership but also encourages greater collaboration and inclusivity. I’m incredibly grateful to Winitha and all our program participants for creating such an enriching and supportive space. Here’s to continued growth and collective success! Brenda Gaddi, Winitha Bonney OAM, Catherine Ware, Deepa Balakrishnan, Dolly Cutinho, Flabia O., Hee Young (Heeyoung) LIM, Kevti Desai, Leanne Pearson, Leticia Searle, Pia Johnson, Preethika Padmanabhan, Sheila Scopis, Shiren Anwar, Sino Bennett, Sofía R., Su Ooi, Vivian Chan #WoCELP2024 #AuthenticLeadership #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenofColour

"The most severe recounts of racism and racial discrimination described to the Review were directed towards women of colour." The experiences shared in this review serve as a sobering reminder of the systemic barriers and injustices that Women of Colour continue to face. We all need to do better.

Last Thursday, we had the privilege of hosting the Speaking from Experience event in collaboration with the Australian Human Rights Commission. This important event focused on creating safer work environments and addressing workplace sexual harassment, particularly for Women of Colour, including those who have recently migrated to Australia. The session brought together culturally and linguistically diverse women to discuss their experiences and ideas for change. The valuable insights shared will help shape resources and strategies to make workplaces safer for everyone. Key takeaways from the event included: ✅ The need for inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches to address workplace sexual harassment, especially for newly arrived Women of Colour migrants. ✅ Empowering and supporting Women of Colour to share their experiences and ideas for change. ✅ Encouraging employers to implement stronger policies and support systems to prevent and address sexual harassment, and promoting accountability from employers to ensure a safe working environment. ✅ The importance of establishing an external support system or body where Women of Colour can turn to for support and to be heard, further fostering a sense of security and empowerment in the workplace. ✅Highlighting the need for comprehensive education campaigns to raise awareness about what constitutes sexual harassment and the importance of prevention, as well as encouraging open dialogue within workplaces to promote understanding and tackle these issues head-on. The event featured a group workshop facilitated by Dr. Anna Cody, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner. Participants discussed three key questions: 1. What you think a helpful response to workplace sexual harassment would look like. 2. What you think an unhelpful response to workplace sexual harassment would look like. 3. What you think needs to change to address workplace sexual harassment. Participants were not asked to share their personal experiences of workplace sexual harassment. We're grateful for the participation and valuable contributions of our attendees. Other ways to contribute You can also share your thoughts online through the Speaking from Experience website. Anyone over 18 who has been sexually harassed at work can make a submission. You can write it down or audio record it. You can do this until September 2024.  To learn more about what workplace sexual harassment is and what you can do if it happens to you, please visit the Australian Human Rights Commission website. Ethics approval This project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Sydney (HREC Approval Number: 2023/580) *** WoCA team: Sana Yousaf, Shazya Khan, and Brenda Gaddi