Advancement of Women Award

Applications for the Advancement of Women Award 2025 are open!

A collaboration of Zonta Club of Brisbane donors.

The Advancement of Women Award honours individuals of any gender, profession or background who improve the status of women by creating new opportunities or champions women in social, community, economic, academic, political, or workplace settings.

How does it work?

You can apply for the Advancement of Women Award yourself, or nominate someone else.

You could receive the $7500 Advancement of Women Award prize if…

✅ You progress the status of women

✅ You facilitate women’s advancement in social, community, economic, academic, political or work environments

✅ You could use the AWA funds to leverage the effect of your work

Need inspiration?

Check out our previous AWA Winners

  • CATHY HUNT

    Cathy is co-founder of Of One Mind, a not for profit company behind the development of the Women of the World Festival in Australia.

    She received the Advancement of Women Award in recognition of her outstanding 20-year track record creating programs to empower women in addressing gender inequality, engaging a wide range of communities of women in Australia and internationally creating new pathways through art and cultural efforts including your directorship of the WOW Festivals.

    INAUGURAL 2020 WINNER

  • THELMA SCHWARTZ

    Thelma is the principal legal officer of the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS), an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation.

    Thelma received the AWA in recognition of her work in providing legal and non-legal support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims and survivors of family violence and sexual assault in Queensland.

    2022 WINNER

  • KATHY MCLEISH

    Kathy is the Co-Chair of Women in Media Australia and was the founding Convenor of Women in Media Queensland.

    Kathy is an award-winning ABC journalist and producer who has reported for programs across the network including Stateline, 7.30, Landline, Australian Story and TV and radio news and current affairs.

    2023 WINNER

  • BRITT FURLANIS

    Britt's leadership acumen and achievements in the oil and gas sector were particularly inspirational. She produces a podcast, ‘Women Unleashed’ and hopes to qualify for the Olympic equestrian team.

    Britt spent the AWA prize on her projects to support and empower women in Papua New Guinea, and has since organised a bra drive for women in remote communities in Papau New Guinea with the Zonta Club of Brisbane and has joined the Club as a member!

    2024 WINNER

To celebrate the 100th birthday of Zonta International, the Advancement of Women Award was established in 2019 by a Zonta Club of Brisbane founding member.

The fund grows thanks to the generosity of Club members and supporters.

$50,000

Dr Joan Godfrey, a charter member of the Zonta Club of Brisbane and Foundation Donor.

$20,000

Susan Hocking, Zonta Club of Brisbane member, in memory of Lesley Hocking.

$25,000

Anne Landsberg, Zonta Club of Brisbane member, in honour of her late husband Ross Landsberg.

$10,000

Cathy Hunt, winner of the Advancement of Women Award in 2021, who donated to the fund in 2024 in memory of her mother who passed.

$20,000

Susan Davies, Zonta Club of Brisbane member, in honour of Anne Davies.

Apply now!

Applications close 29th January 2025

Any questions, please contact awards@zontabrisbane.org.au