A flower in a darkened room. Confined to the container holding it in. Forced to conform into the space where it’s trapped. Reaching for a crack of light to survive. Trampled by those who do not appreciate its beauty and strength. Women. Forever navigating complex landscapes with resilience and flexibility. Female leaders, shedding light onto those left in the dark. Helping them reach their full potential. These are the women I have been fortunate to have influencing my life.

You can’t be what you can’t see. I see Penny Wong.

A woman standing strong despite incredible adversity, due to her race, gender and sexual preferences, in Australian Parliament. She is assertive, standing up for her beliefs and putting words into action. Working in environments where she is part of the minority, something that women experience every day – and I see her thriving through it. Strengthening climate policies, and speaking about the rights of gender, sexuality, race, and belief systems. I see this woman, inspiring young girls globally.

You can’t be what you can’t see. I’ve seen my mother.

Balancing her maternal nurturing with her passions. For 20 years, pursuing her passion in a role dominated by men. Caroline, my mum, has forged a path working as a Park Ranger.

‘I always felt like I had to give 150% to be respected or recognised as able to ‘do the job’. There was little credibility in the diversity of strengths a woman could bring to roles. Slowly it has changed. Eventually we had all female Rangers in our District – capable, confident, smart, and assertive women becoming leaders in their field.’ – Caroline Paterson.

You can’t be what you can’t see. I saw my nanna.

A proud woman, dismissed by the men in her life, forever aching to be measured by the same standards. Not allowed to take over the family farm that she loved because she was a woman. Longing for a career but expected to raise a family at a young age, Nanna was exposed to family violence from her husband and son. Was that all she was worth? My life is now driven by the love that she showed, always encouraging me to follow my dreams and reach my full potential. If only I could see her now.

You can’t be what you can’t see. But I didn’t see Edith Cowan.

Born in rural Western Australia in the 1900s, without maternal influence, yet still challenging gender expectations. I imagine her demanding to know why men got opportunities she didn’t. Was this the society her granddaughters would grow up in, with females being considered second class? I did not see her persisting and pushing for her right to education, but now I am able to see myself in the legal profession. She was a leader, she fought so that young girls with a passion like mine have the right to a career in law. I didn’t see her, but I can be her.

The crack of light shed on a flower in a darkened room. Illuminating possibilities that were once obscure and unreachable. This is what a female leader provides for her community, inspiring others to be true to their values. A leader is not the boss. A leader encourages her peers, turning individual triumphs into communal victories. She is someone to look to in times of doubt. She is someone who leaves an impact. We have built each other up eternally with profound solidarity. We are courageous. We are strong. We are women.