You are Uneek

Extraordinary women of Queensland

Do you know an extraordinary Queensland woman?  Give her the recognition she deserves by sharing her story online at www.women.qld.gov.au

 

If you know a Queensland woman or girl, aged 12 years or over, who is making a difference in your life or in your community, nominate her now to appear in the Queensland Government’s Everyday women, extraordinary lives online tribute gallery.

The gallery is an opportunity for Queenslanders to recognise the extraordinary efforts of women in our communities, in celebration of the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2011.

Each woman whose story appears in the gallery will receive a centennial International Women’s Day certificate and lapel pin. Ten nominated women will be invited to attend an International Women’s Day function in Brisbane on 8 March 2011. 

There are many women and girls across Queensland who are from multicultural backgrounds and are making positive contributions to their communities and the lives of others. Give them the recognition they deserve!

Radmila Desic is just one of several women featured in the tribute gallery for her extraordinary achievements and contribution to changing attitudes towards women in non-traditional careers.

A mum, a friend, a carpenter, a role model, Radmila is an inspiration to many young Queensland women, particularly to girls wanting to start an apprenticeship or traineeship.

A former Yugoslavian born native who immigrated to Brisbane in 1980, Rad has been in the construction industry for over 18 years and has worked tirelessly and passionately to enhance and promote the profile of women working in the industry, at the same time as juggling a busy home life.

Through her work with Construction Skills Queensland and as President of the Queensland Chapter of the National Association for Women in Construction in a volunteer capacity, she has achieved success in exposing the sector to the positive contribution women can make in building and construction.

Rad is a very special everyday woman who freely gives her time to help young women in the construction industry.

Salmeen Al Haider is just one of several women featured in the tribute gallery for her extraordinary achievements and contribution to improving women’s lives.

Salmeen is currently studying a Masters of Social Work at Queensland University of Technology but says her social work started when she was released from an immigration detention centre when she was 11 years old.

Salmeen’s personal experiences as a female Middle Eastern refugee have made her passionate about helping women and children. She has worked with Amnesty International and the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma.

She has spent the last two years assisting a group of Mandaean women from Iraq, Iran and neighbouring countries establish a community organisation. Salmeen took the group to Canberra to meet parliamentarians and talk about human rights issues and wrote a confronting account of these women’s experiences.

Salmeen says she is not afraid to share the perspectives on behalf of women who have no voice. She knows women have suffered because they haven’t had the opportunity to stand up for their rights.

Salmeen loves her work, although it can be tough. She says she will never stop helping women from her community because ‘if we give up, all our hard work will go to waste’.

Visit the Everyday women, extraordinary lives tribute gallery now at www.women.qld.gov.au, where you’ll find full details of the eligibility criteria and how to nominate.

Posted in Feature