The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation celebrated 2021 International Women’s Day with a ‘Human Library’ held in conjunction with Victoria University on Friday afternoon.
The Human Library format allowed guests the chance to meet, talk to and ask questions of 10 inspirational and successful local women, which included AFLW player Ash Guest, community activists Rahima Ahmed, Monica Raizada and Jax Jacki Brown, leading Covid-19 researcher Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos, human rights lawyer Gemma Cafarella, City of Maribyrnong councillor Sarah Carter, Western Bulldogs Graphic Designer Natalie Gills, community broadcaster Iris Lee and Minister for Workplace Safety and Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt.
Janet Galpin of the Boon Wurrung Foundation started the afternoon with a passionate Welcome to Country which addressed the importance of women in Aboriginal culture, as well as the significance of having a connection to country and a community with purpose.
Minister Stitt spoke to attendees after the table sessions were complete. She applauded the event, acknowledging that “these sorts of events remind you of the depth and diversity of the community in the west”.
She also spoke passionately about the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment in our current environment and highlighted the importance that community initiatives play in tackling the issue.
Corrinne Reid, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Victoria University, advocated for continuing the fight against gender-based violence in her closing remarks, commending the work of the Prevention Violence Taskforce, led by Women’s Health West.
Reid expressed hope for a time where “events like this are not needed anymore” while acknowledging that it has “come a long way since attending her first International Women’s Day event”.
She advocated for the need to continue to “prioritise community and make space for women and girls” before ending her speech with a message for all women and girls in attendance to “be brave, be bold and be free to be who you are”.
In attendance were members of the Bulldogs’ very first youth advisory group, ‘Bark for Youth’ - made up of alumni from the Community Foundation’s Youth Leadership Program, as well as Victoria University students and Daughters of the West participants.
The group enjoyed the unique opportunity to gain insight into the challenges and triumphs of female leaders within the community.
VU student and aspiring teacher, Camille King, reflected on the importance of the event and being able to have face-to-face time with the incredible line up of women.
“It facilitated a sense of sisterhood and feminine power with women that I can ask for help and I can look up to that are actually from within my community,” she said.
Attendants ended the night with a kick to kick, footy activities and refreshments before the opportunity to watch the VFLW team take on Collingwood at VU Whitten Oval.
