The International Women's Day (IWD) Illawarra Committee has for the first time announced individual scholarships of $1,000 each to three Illawarra women.The scholarships have been named after three inspiring women who are sadly no longer with us, but left their mark on the region in the various fields in which they excelled.These are profiles of the women, written by the IWD Illawarra Committee:
Cate Stevenson was one of the Illawarra's inspiring business women with a strong commitment to community.Over a career that spanned more than 20 years, she achieved enormous success and was the first female in NSW to become a sales manager in the motor vehicle sales industry.Her contribution to the Illawarra community included 10 years on the Illawarra Black and White Committee raising funds for Vision Australia, and she was also the Mt Kembla Mining Festival secretary for six years.Her passionate commitment to her career, family and community is recognised by the IWD Scholarship being named in her honour.Kerryn McCann was one of Australia's most well known sportswomen. Her humble yet approachable demeanour drew people to her.She competed at World, Olympic and Commonwealth games level, winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne - a moment that captured the heart of our nation.Living in Wollongong's northern suburbs with her family, she was seen regularly pounding the pavements in her quest to be the best.Behind the scenes she was a supporter of many charities and of young women athletes.Kerryn inspired women everywhere and IWD recognises her incredible achievements by the IWD scholarship being named in her honour. Aunty Mary Davis was an Illawarra Aboriginal elder known for her powerful commitment to Aboriginal issues, determination to cut through prejudice and to create justice.She was always at the forefront of Aboriginal issues working with government and non-government agencies, organisations and the community.When something was needed for her people she'd find the ways and means. She was never shy, never scared or intimidated and for that she was highly respected in the Illawarra and brought respect to the whole Aboriginal community.She was always looked to for guidance by the Aboriginal community and the greater Illawarra community. She is recognised as the driving force behind continuous positive change and we honour her with the Aunty Mary IWD Indigenous Scholarship.As she would say: "Keep striving for what you believe in and if you have something you feel strong enough about, you got to knock on doors".
