Winners Glenda Stevens, Joanne Farrell and Mijica Lus
07 March 2024
The recipients of the 2024 ACT Women’s Awards have been announced.
The awards recognise women and gender diverse people who have made an outstanding contribution to the lives of women and girls in the ACT.
Meet the 2024 ACT Women’s Awards winners:
2024 ACT Woman of the Year: Joanne Farrell – Founder and Director, Build Like a Girl
Joanne (Jo) Farrell is a champion for women in the building industry.
In 2020, she founded Build Like a Girl, a not-for-profit program that supports women of all backgrounds and ages to work in trades. Since then, Jo has helped 33 women gain full-time employment. She regularly assists with programs, initiatives and services aimed at improving the participation rate of women in trades, which is currently just 2 per cent.
“I’m really honoured to be nominated and recognised for the work,” Jo said.
“I just turn up every day and try and do the work and promote the industry for other women to work in and try and change the negative cultural behaviour we have across the board.
“For me it is a recognition of that work and hopefully other women feel encouraged to come and work in our industry with us.”
Jo is not only the recipient of 2024 ACT Woman of the Year but was also named 2024 ACT Australian of the Year.
2024 ACT Senior Woman of the Year: Glenda Stevens – CEO, Fearless Women
Glenda is a community leader and expert in a range of social policy areas.
Glenda started Fearless Women, a program that provides girls and young women in the ACT with a support service to help them find their voice. It offers short-term counselling, equips girls and women with the tools and resources they need, and offers longer term mentoring support.
“It’s really exciting to see a young person who was frightened and stressed to be able to feel the exhilaration of achieving something,” Glenda said.
“For her to feel that sense of achievement and satisfaction is really good for her growth, and it’s good for all of us because we’re receiving the benefits of a wonderful young person.”
2024 ACT Young Woman of the Year: Mijica Lus – Founder, Aurosokwo Project
For the last six years, Mijica Lus has volunteered her time and effort with various not-for-profits in the ACT in areas of education, media, health care and human services.
Mijica leads the Aurosokwa Project, which supports multicultural communities through cross collaboration.
“If it’s helping with food pantries, decreasing homelessness, supporting mental health initiatives and youth services as well, that’s what the project is about,” Mijica said.
“I’m really excited to contribute to a city that has given me so much, and this is one way of showing my appreciation.”
2024 ACT Woman of the Year – Special Commendation Award: Delfina Shakespear, football match official
Delfina Shakespear is a National and State-level Football Match Official. She volunteers as a mentor, educator, and administrator, and provides strategic advice to Capital Football.
She is committed to empowering the next generation of female referees.
Delfina fearlessly speaks up against abuse and poor treatment faced by referees. She actively promotes cultural change through media engagement and initiatives like Reduce Abuse.
“Seeing the girls and women that I’ve mentored succeed, strive for their goals and push through all the challenges is the most rewarding thing,” Delfina said.
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