Celebrating International Women's Day 2025: How to Accelerate Action
- Wellness Australia Group
- Mar 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 11
Ladies, it's that time of year again—International Women's Day (IWD)! On March 8th, women across Australia (and the world) will come together to celebrate how far we’ve come, reflect on the long battles we have fought, the glass ceilings we have smashed and look forward to the road ahead with increased confidence. It’s a day of strength, unity, and above all, lifting each other up…and accelerating action!
One of my favourite quotes is:
“Be the woman who fixes another woman’s crown without telling the world it was crooked.”
In other words, help another woman to be successful and reap the rewards of seeing her shine. It might be something as simple as helping to polish a presentation or taking time to give someone a pep talk to build their confidence.
So, grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of vino—of course, we are multicultural, so no judgment here!) and let’s talk about International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025: why it matters, what we’ve achieved, and how we can accelerate action.
How Did International Women’s Day Begin?
Believe it or not, IWD has been around for over a century! It started in the early 1900s when women were fighting for better working conditions, fair pay, and voting rights. The first official IWD gathering took place in 1911, and since then, it has grown into a global movement.
Here in Australia, we’ve seen generations of warrior women push for change—women like Edith Cowan, our first female parliamentarian, and Vida Goldstein, who fought tirelessly for women’s suffrage. Thanks to them and countless others, we stand on the shoulders of giants.
What Have We Achieved?
We’ve come a long, long way. From smashing the glass ceiling in politics, business, and sport to making strides in reproductive rights and workplace equality, Australian women have a lot to be proud of. None of it was easy! Here are just a few of our achievements:
• Women now make up nearly 40% of Australian Parliament.
• The gender pay gap is closing (slowly, but progress is progress!).
• More women are starting their own businesses and leading industries that were once male-dominated.
• The #MeToo movement has sparked conversations around workplace harassment and consent, leading to stronger legal protections for women at work.
But let’s be real—there’s still a lot of work to do and we can all help.
How can we accelerate action?
1. Support Women-Owned Businesses that give back to others
Spend your money wisely - your dollar is powerful. Make a conscious effort to support female entrepreneurs, whether it’s a local coffee shop, an online boutique, or a woman-led consultancy.
Some incredible Australian women-led businesses that give back include:
• Thankyou. – Founded by Justine Flynn, this social enterprise directs 100% of its profits towards ending global poverty, helping fund life-changing projects for women and families in need.
• SHEEO Australia – Founded by Vicki Saunders, this global initiative provides interest-free loans and mentoring to female entrepreneurs, helping them succeed in business and give back to the community.
• Birdsnest – Created by Jane Cay, this online fashion retailer not only supports local Australian designers but also funds initiatives that empower women in rural communities.
• The Social Outfit – A sustainable fashion label that provides employment and training to refugee and migrant women in Australia, helping them build a future.
• Koala Eco – Founded by Jessica Bragdon, this eco-friendly cleaning product brand supports environmental charities and mental health initiatives for women and families.
2. Call Out Inequality (Even When It's Uncomfortable)
If you see a woman being talked over in a meeting, call it out. If you notice a pay gap in your workplace, question it. Advocacy starts with ordinary people taking a stand in everyday moments.
3. Mentor & Uplift Other Women
Remember the quote at the start of this post?
“Be the woman who fixes another woman’s crown without telling the world it was crooked.”
This powerful quote shows us the importance of silent support and genuine empowerment. It reminds us that we don’t need recognition for lifting each other up—we just need to do it. Imagine a world where women continuously fix each other’s crowns instead of competing to knock them off.
It’s a reminder to mentor, to guide, and to celebrate each other’s successes without seeking credit. Whether it’s hyping up a friend before a job interview, quietly correcting a colleague’s mistake before she presents, or simply reminding another woman of her worth—these small acts make a world of difference.
Final Thoughts: Keep Fighting, Keep Celebrating
International Women’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a movement started by our courageous great grandmothers. It’s a mindset. And most importantly, it’s a reminder that we are strongest when we support one another.
So this year, let’s celebrate loudly, uplift quietly, and continue building a future where every woman—regardless of race, background, or circumstance—has the opportunity to thrive and achieve success.
Happy International Women’s Day, queens. Keep fixing those crowns.
