Steph Nolan

Steph Nolan is a community lawyer specialising in family violence and family law at ECLC. Steph views IWD as a great opportunity to "acknowledge and celebrate the many achievements of women whilst also advocating against structural gender inequalities and their impacts".  

"Gender inequality is a major driver of family violence and on IWD it is important to remember that everyone deserves to live safely and free from control and fear,” said Steph. 

In her professional journey, Steph has felt empowered by the women around her, which has shaped her aspirations. 

“The generous knowledge sharing, support, trust and belief from my peers and colleagues gives me a sense of belonging and connection,” said Steph.   

“This experience has not only shown me what kind of lawyer but also what kind of person I want to be - that I too want to share support and resources to empower others,” she added.    

Steph is also deeply motivated by the own experience working within the community legal sector.  “I am inspired by the strength of my clients and colleagues in the family violence legal assistance sector and the intelligent and creative ways in which women have learned to survive, share stories and develop services in a way that hopes to improve the experiences for themselves and other women.” 

 She stresses the importance of recognising women's tenacity and says, “It is really important to acknowledge resilience and remember that women are experts in their own lives. I believe this involves validating, affirming, and celebrating the many experiences and pieces that make up a person's identity.” 

 Steph's vision of equality is a world without power imbalances, discrimination, biases, or barriers. She emphasises the importance of recognising the multiple layers of inequality many women face, such as racism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, and ageism. 

“Equality means that everyone should be respected, have their human rights upheld and be able to make genuine choices in their daily lives. Meaningful steps toward equality need to address multiple overlapping structures of discrimination,” says Steph. 

Interpreting this year's UN IWD theme "March Forward", Steph sees it as "an action – however big or small - to take steps forward inclusively toward human rights and gender equality".  

She concludes with a message of self-care for all women, encouraging them to "do whatever they need to do to take care of themselves – whether it is advocating, resting, celebrating an achievement, sending a message of support to someone, asking for help or anything else", recognising beautifully the diverse needs of women in different life stages. 

Cassandra Meade

Cassandra Meade is a Community Lawyer in the Elder Abuse Response Programs team at ECLC. Her passion for International Women's Day (IWD) dates back to her high school years, when she first learned about its significance. 

For Cassandra, IWD is a time to celebrate the achievements of women who came before us and to acknowledge the ongoing work needed to address gender inequality.  

Working in the community legal sector, she sees firsthand the gendered nature of family violence and elder abuse. 

“Working in the CLC sector, we work with women and older people experiencing family violence and elder abuse. IWD acknowledges the work that we still need to do to address the gendered nature of family violence and elder abuse and sexism inherent in ageism.” 

Cassandra draws inspiration from her grandmother, Peggy, who has consistently challenged gender norms throughout her life. Peggy's experiences, from working until the end of her pregnancy to initiating job-sharing arrangements, have shaped Cassandra's perspective on women's empowerment. 

In her professional and personal life, Cassandra believes in elevating other women through small, meaningful actions. She emphasises the importance of making women feel heard and seen in every space, celebrating their accomplishments regardless of scale, and standing in solidarity with them. 

“I love a shout out when someone gets good feedback from a client or achieves a great result, and doing it in a group so that more people can celebrate them. I see other people doing this in my team and broader organisation and I love it,” said Cassandra. 

A formative experience in Cassandra's career was working with a senior female lawyer in private practice. This mentor not only challenged Cassandra professionally but also instilled in her the importance of women supporting each other in the legal field.  

“She is a brilliant lawyer, who I loved working with because she would always give me challenging work to do together - even though it would take longer to have me involved - so she could teach me and I could improve. She often reminded me that women in the law should stick together and have each other’s backs,” said Cassandra. 

“I am a better lawyer, colleague and person because of working with her. She helped to set the tone of how I want to show up in the workplace for others,” she added. 

This experience has significantly shaped Cassandra's approach to her work and how she interacts with colleagues. When it comes to equality, Cassandra envisions a world that goes beyond mere equality or equity, striving for liberation.  

“I think that intersectionality is essential to this, we need to work towards liberation, which will look different for everyone. Perhaps this makes things more complicated, but it also makes it better. We see people for who they are and change the world to fit them and not the other way around.” 

Cassandra's story exemplifies the ongoing journey towards gender equality, highlighting the importance of mentorship, solidarity, and recognising the diverse experiences of women in all spheres of life. 

Glennon Doyle’s quote from her book Untamed really resonates with Cassandra who has kindly shared this here, “It is a blessing to know a free woman. Sometimes she will stop by and hold up a mirror for you. She will help you remember who you are.”  

“I think this speaks to our responsibility to empower each other, pick each other up and fight together, which is ultimately what IWD is all about,” she added. 

Martina Eaton

Martina, a proud feminist, woman, lesbian, and survivor of family violence, views International Women's Day (IWD) as a highlight of her year. She believes IWD is crucial for amplifying the voices of women from all backgrounds and abilities, celebrating past achievements, and recognising the ongoing struggle for equality. 

Martina finds inspiration in her fellow family Survivor Advocates on the Victim Survivors Advisory Council (VSAC). These women, despite their challenging experiences, continue to fight for the rights of family violence survivors and their children. 

A particularly memorable experience for Martina was the day she left her abusive relationship on 1 October 2012. She recalls the incredible support she received from a group of female friends who helped her pack, ensured her safety, and provided practical assistance.  

“I had an INCREDIBLE group of female friends supporting me on the day I left. They took time off work, (one was 36 weeks pregnant and was helping me pack my special mementoes), people were helping behind the scenes in a practical way... and my mother had taken my son away on holidays so he was safe and out of the state,” said Martina. 

“Leaving is one of the most dangerous times for women and children to leave family violence. It took a tribe of incredible women to keep me safe on that day and I have never forgotten it!” 

This experience has taught her how to help other women leaving family violence and has enabled her to offer both psychological and practical support to people in the same situation she was in.  

“Not a week goes by that I don't think about how lucky I am to have had that tribe of women around me, lifting me up and supporting me through one of the toughest periods of my life!” said Martina 

“I like to think that I now do the same for other women and children in these situations with the same level of support and love,” she added. 

For Martina, elevating women means listening to and believing them, raising children with equal expectations and opportunities regardless of gender, ensuring women have a place at all relevant tables, and providing access to quality education, healthcare, and safe reproductive care for all women.  

She believes equality looks like equal pay for equal work, equal representation on boards and committees, and consideration of the needs of all community members, especially those facing greater disadvantages. 

Martina sees this year's IWD theme, "March Forward," as a war cry. She believes it's time to place women alongside men in all aspects of life, treating them with equal rights and respect.  “I honestly think, with everything going on in the world, that we need to march because tiptoeing is no longer working,” added Martina. 

Martina shares a powerful message for other women that was shared with her by someone wise: "You are enough! You can do great things. Stand in your own power and speak up for your rights!"  

At the time, Martina says that she did not truly believe in this affirmation, but this mantra is something she is starting to believe in more and she wants to pass this on to others. 

Lucy Duncan

As a dedicated board member at ECLC and a professional in the People & Culture space, Lucy Duncan shares her inspiring perspective on International Women's Day, concluding the special series.

“I’m lucky to have been supported and surrounded by the most incredible women throughout my life – my mother and sister, lifelong friends, colleagues and mentors,” said Lucy.

IWD is particularly special for Lucy this year, as she has recently welcomed a newborn daughter into the world. Because of this, Lucy's commitment to creating a world where women and girls are safe, respected and empowered to make their mark, is more profound than ever before.

Lucy emphasises the importance of acknowledging IWD to recognise progress toward equality and honour the pioneers and allies who have driven this change.

“It’s critical to acknowledge IWD so that we recognise and celebrate progress towards equality, acknowledge the pioneers, champions and allies who have driven that progress, and so that we build awareness of critical areas where more must be done,” she added.

Lucy draws inspiration from Australian surgeon Catherine Hamlin, whose tireless work in treating obstetric fistula is a testament to her dedication and compassion.

“I’m inspired by her singular dedication to improving the lives of so many women (who have otherwise little hope of help or a normal life), by treating their medical conditions and equipping them with the skills and support to rebuild their lives, while also building awareness of this condition in the fight to eradicate it,” she said.

For Lucy, equality means women having the ability to make informed choices about her own lives (e.g., health, career and family), free from discriminatory gender-based policies, systemic barriers, and damaging norms and stereotypes.

The UN's theme "March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls" resonates deeply with her, symbolising the ongoing pursuit to make change despite challenges. “It means continuing to drive for change - no matter the headwinds or setbacks – to help improve lives now and for the future,” said Lucy.

As a message of hope, Lucy shares Dr. Martin Luther King's words: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." This quote reminds us that even in turbulent times, progress toward justice is inevitable, inspiring us to continue striving for a more equitable world for all women and girls.

Lucy's story is an important reminder of the impact one person can have in driving change and celebrating the achievements of women everywhere. As we end our series in celebration of IWD, let's continue to march forward together, fostering a world where every woman and girl can thrive.