2020
Lisa Marie Lewis
- Age: 26
- | She/her/hers, They/them/their
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To achieve the change we are seeking, we must all be prepared to use our privilege, platforms, and power to shape a more equitable future.
- Lisa Marie Lewis
Bio
Lisa is an enthusiastic activist and ally who is passionate about the promotion of equity, inclusion, and intersectionality. She is currently working with the New South Wales Department of Education to design a Multicultural Children’s Strategy – an project designed to support inclusive and accessible practices, policies and outcomes for children in early childhood education. Lisa recently attained a Master of Social Science in Development, Security, and Sustainability at Western Sydney University and is considering pursuing a PhD soon. She has has experience working across the not-for-profit (including NGOs and peak bodies), higher education and public sectors. Lisa’s worked in primary research, program delivery, policy recommendation drafting, and project evaluation teams. She has varied social interests and has particularly been a vocal supporter of LGBTIQUA+ rights, the empowerment of people from multicultural backgrounds, and gender equity movements. Lisa has served on many boards and committees, with topics ranging from physical/mental health to human rights, climate change and local/state government planning. She is always looking for innovative ways to create change, collaborate with new people and learn from best-practice.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
When I began to learn about the historical, cultural, and contextual nature of discrimination, and see it's modern-day impacts, I became passionate about reducing inequality. I want to live in an equitable world and I am prepared to advocate for that.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
My biggest achievement was being an effective community organiser and being able to build a network of like-minded activists who are ready to speak out against injustices. Working with peers is what has been vital to the success of many projects I've been involved in.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
I have come to enjoy vegetable gardening, reading non-fiction, and watching trashy TV.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- intersectionality
- inclusion and diversity
- importance of evidence-based practice
- initiating grassroots activism
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Award Recipient: Rotary Youth Leadership Award Recipient (2023)
- Award Recipient: IMAD Gender Equality Honour Roll (2018)
- Award Recipient: Western Sydney University Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Engagement and Sustainability (2017) -
- Scholarship Recipient: Humanitarian Affair's University Scholars Leadership Symposium, UN Thailand (2018)
- Award Recipient: Outstanding Youth Leader of Greater Western Sydney Award (2018)
