ACT Women's Awards and Honour Roll
About the ACT Women’s Awards
The ACT Women's Awards recognise women, gender diverse and non-binary people in the ACT region who are contributing to lasting and positive change. They celebrate impact across all fields, from sport and science to community, culture and beyond. The awards recognise achievements that make a difference locally, nationally or globally.
The award winners will be announced at the ACT Women’s Awards ceremony on 3 September 2026.
About the ACT Women’s Honour Roll
The ACT Women’s Honour Roll is a digital list of women and gender diverse people who have been awarded for their significant and lasting contributions in Canberra, Australia or internationally. Honour Roll inductees will be recognised at the ACT Women’s Awards ceremony.
Who you can nominate
Nominations are encouraged for women, gender-diverse and non-binary people from all backgrounds, fields and life experiences. You can nominate yourself or someone else.
If you know a woman, gender-diverse or non-binary person whose achievements are creating lasting and positive change, make sure you nominate them for an ACT Women’s Award.
Before you apply
Read the 2026 ACT Women’s Awards Guidelines [PDF 223KB]
Award categories
The ACT Women’s Awards have been refreshed and are introducing brand new award categories for 2026. Categories now reflect the type of contribution rather than age range.
This award recognises outstanding contributions to innovation, leadership or advancement within any industry or sector.
This award recognises a body of work over many years that has created lasting, positive change.
This award recognises advocacy, reform or initiatives that shift attitudes, improve inclusion or advance equity.
This award is a discretionary category selected by the Minister with an annually changing theme. Nominees may be selected for this category by the award assessment panel.
Nominators are not required to select this category.
How to nominate
When nominations are open you can make a nomination online.
To nominate online:
- choose the award category
- give examples of how the nominee created impact
- attach any supporting material
- include contact details for your nominee and a referee
- submit your nomination before the close date.
We recommend you give a copy of your nomination to any referees. This will help if the assessment panel contacts them.
Apply
Applications have now closed.
How we choose award winners
The assessment panel may include:
- previous winners
- community leaders
- business leaders
- representatives from the Heath and Community Services Directorate.
The panel will consider:
- significant contribution that has created lasting and positive change in the ACT region or beyond
- nature, scope and duration of the nominee’s involvement or actions in their chosen field
- demonstrated excellence and/or leadership in their area of impact
- innovation, creativity and future goals, including the potential for continued impact
- recognition as a role model, including inspirational or mentoring qualities
- contribution to equity, inclusion or social justice, where relevant to the nominee’s work or context
- nominees must be at least 16 years of age.
The 2026 award winners will be announced on 3 September 2026.
Finalists
Our 2026 finalists
The finalists in the 2026 ACT Women’s Awards are:
Amanda Allan
President of the National Association of Women in Construction ACT, recognised for her leadership in supporting women’s participation in the construction industry through mentoring, professional development and initiatives that promote more inclusive workplace cultures.
Katherine Berney
Recognised for her influence on national policy reform and systems change to improve women’s safety.
Ashlee Berry
Recognised for her leadership and advocacy within the property sector, including advancing housing policy, championing women in industry, and supporting community initiatives through volunteering and fundraising.
Jasmine Fellows
Recognised for national leadership in STEM communication and connecting young people with science and technology pathways.
Raffy Sgroi
An automotive industry leader who has created education, training and employment pathways supporting women and underrepresented groups to enter and thrive in the automotive sector.
Dr Sujatha Shanmugasundaram
A recognised leader in nursing education and gerontology whose research, teaching and professional leadership have strengthened dementia and aged care practice.
Jasmine Sharma
Founder of the Kitchen to Crease initiative, creating opportunities for culturally diverse women and families to engage in sport, health and community activities.
Kamala Sharma-Wing
Recognised for advancing inclusion and diversity as the Australian Defence Force’s first full-time Hindu chaplain.
Robyn Smith
A national advocate who has improved education, psychosocial support and policy outcomes for people living with inherited cancer risk.
Rebecca Martin
Recognised for her leadership at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, fostering a culture of safety, dignity and respect while supporting women in custody and promoting more compassionate and inclusive practices.
Lew Ching Yip
A survivor advocate and founder of Project Chosen Family, creating peer-led, culturally responsive safe spaces for youths to discuss challenging familial relationships, family conflict and violence.
Past winners
See past winners of the ACT Women’s Awards on the ACT Women’s Honour Roll.
Contact us
Email
women@act.gov.au