Last week we committed to coming together as Marist180 and celebrating International Women’s Day 2025. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is, as many know, ‘Accelerate Action’.
We were delighted to welcome Marist180 Board member, Theresa Ardler, to present, challenge and affirm us as our International Women’s Day guest and speaker.
From the outset, as Theresa Welcomed us to Country, she made clear she joined us a sister, not a Board Member. The 50 staff who gathered at La Valla were encouraged and inspired by and through what Theresa shared.
Theresa initially invited us to pray, noting the importance of this for St Marcellin Champagnat, who entrusted the Marist project to Mary, the ‘Mother of the Human Family’. Irrespective of our faith (or other) position, reflection is critical to change and better, more equitable and just choices and decision making.
Theresa then invited the assembled to discussion/sharing amongst colleagues as to how, personally and professionally, we Accelerate Action, in support and service of:
Raising awareness regarding gender gaps, barriers and inequities
Celebrating women’s achievements and
Acting and advocating for gender equality.
In small and the plenary group(s) two strong insights emerged: doing, acting, meeting deadlines and targets is and are important. This, though, must be informed and underpinned by the quality and authenticity of our work, our respect, our service.
Theresa shared some of her rich experience and insights, highlighting the strength of community, of kinship, and the power of stories. In particular the strength of Aunties, of sisters, who have and continue to be impressive role models, and forge strong relationships, within and across kin and mob. Theresa likewise highlighted the gift and strength of interculturality, especially within families, as an antidote to racism, as a place where we meet as people, as equals, as sisters and brothers committed to the common good.
Theresa's personal and professional vision is to educate school and university communities about the richness of Aboriginal Culture and Spirituality within Australian society. Currently pursuing a Research Doctorate, titled ‘Aboriginal Spirituality: Connecting Sea and Country’, the Marist180
colleagues present were the beneficiaries of Theresa’s deep knowledge, wise reflections, and generous affirmation of the work, services and ministry we share and provide.
In closing, we were at once delighted and further in gratitude to Theresa as she gifted us with one of her artworks.
This skin cloak design captures, for Theresa, connections to land and sea, totem, family, songlines and dreaming.
In a collective sense, we are challenged to Accelerate Action, as progress on gender equality globally is too slow to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, SDG 5.
The SDGs are a set of 17 aspirational goals, created by the United Nations in 2015 and endorsed by governments everywhere. Gender equality – the fifth goal – underpins all other outcomes. Although some progress has been achieved, the world is not on track to achieve SDG 5 by 2030.
The SDGs span issues that impact everyone’s life, everywhere – from poverty, hunger, equal pay, and health to climate change, peace and security, economic growth and more. Gender inequality is holding back progress in all these areas.
