13/03/2025
“Sky is the Limit” - Celebrating International Women’s Health Day at Queensland Health
I had the honour of being among the invited guests, including Brigadier ### and Michelle Morton, Board Member at Townsville University Hospital, chaired by CEO Kieran Keys.
I am sharing the gist of my speech below:
When I heard today’s topic, The Sky is the Limit, I smiled—this is what I tell my children. But how far have women really come?
Science & Medicine: Marie Curie remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two scientific fields. Dr. Laura Margaret Hope became Australia’s first female surgeon in 1892, paving the way for future generations.
Space & Aviation: Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963, proving women could go beyond Earth. Jeannie Leavitt shattered barriers in 1993 as the USAF’s first female fighter pilot, later leading combat squadrons.
Sports: Dawn Fraser won three Olympic golds. Florence Griffith Joyner’s sprint records remain unbroken. Adriana Brownlee climbed all 14 peaks above 8,000m, defying endurance limits.
Politics & Economics: Angela Merkel led Germany for 16 years, showing the power of female leadership. Janet Yellen made history in global finance.
Women’s progress is undeniable, yet gaps remain. Representation matters—not just in records but in opportunities. As a first-generation migrant, I’ve learned that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. When one woman rises, she lifts others with her. The question remains: how do we want our daughters to succeed? The answer is clear—as equals, with no limits
