International Women's Day 2025 – The March Forward: Trailblazers, Trendsetters and Champions

Join trailblazers Mia Freedman (Mamamia), Sharri Markson (Sky News Australia), Ronni Kahn AO (OzHarvest), and Emanuel Synagogue's Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio OAM to celebrate our march forward this International Women’s Day 2025.

On Sunday 9 March, this lineup of extraordinary women who have broken down barriers and reshaped industries will paint a picture of the future they envision for the generations of women and girls that will follow, each from their unique perspectives as pioneers in their chosen fields.

Following the conversation and Q&A, expertly guided by Michaela Kalowski, you will be invited to connect with our special guests and other attendees over a beautiful morning tea lovingly prepared by Nora's Kitchen.

Proudly presented by Emanuel Synagogue in partnership with WIZO

With support from NCJWA

------

ABOUT MIA FREEDMAN – Mia Freedman is the co-founder of Mamamia, Australia's largest women's media company, which she started from her lounge room in 2007 and now reaches more than 7.5 million women every month. A former Editor-In-Chief of Cosmopolitan, Cleo and Dolly magazines, Mia is the author of four best-selling books including her memoir 'Work Strife Balance', which inspired the hit BINGE TV series 'Strife'. Mia is an Executive Producer on Strife, and a passionate ambassador for RizeUp Australia, supporting women and children escaping domestic violence, with Mamamia proudly serving as the charity's media partner. Mia also co-hosts Mamamia Out Loud, Australia's #1 podcast for women that has had more than 101 million downloads.

ABOUT SHARRI MARKSON – Renowned award-winning political and investigative journalist Sharri Markson leads the Sky News weekday primetime line-up as host of Sharri, airing live each Monday to Thursday at 8 pm AEDT. Sharri has won 16 major journalism awards. Sharri is a two-time Walkley Award winner, the recipient of the 2018 and 2021 Sir Keith Murdoch Award for Excellence in Journalism, the winner of the 2020 News Award for Investigative Journalism and the 2021 News Award for Achievements in Storytelling and the 2022 News Award Scoop of the Year. Sharri joined the Sky News team in 2018 as the host of the then-weekly program Sharri. During this time Sharri also held the role of National Political Editor at The Daily Telegraph before taking on the role of Investigations Editor at The Australian. Most recently, Sharri’s investigative reporting has seen her break major stories investigating the origins of COVID-19 and activities in Wuhan. Her groundbreaking book on this issue, "What Really Happened in Wuhan", gained global recognition and became an international bestseller. Sharri also hosted a Sky News documentary of the same name, viewed more than 13 million times, in which she secured an exclusive interview with former United States President Donald Trump, the first sit-down interview for an Australian broadcast media outlet since he was elected president in 2016.

ABOUT RONNI KAHN AO – Ronni Kahn AO is a social entrepreneur and founder of Australia’s leading food rescue charity, OzHarvest. Ronni is a passionate advocate and activist renowned for disrupting the food waste landscape in Australia. She leads with purpose and conviction in the spaces of food security and sustainability while also appearing regularly in national media. Her mission to fight food waste and feed hungry people is supported by some of the world's finest chefs. Ronni is an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) and was named Australian Local Hero of the Year. Her journey is the subject of a feature film Food Fighter, directed by Dan Goldberg. In 2020 she co-authored her biography; A Repurposed Life, which was nominated for an ABIA award for Biography Book of the Year.

ABOUT RABBI JACQUELINE NINIO OAM – Rabbi Ninio was ordained in 1998 when she became the seventh Australian-born progressive rabbi and the third Australian-born female rabbi. Rabbi Ninio joined Emanuel Synagogue in 1998 and is the congregation’s first female rabbi. She is interested in midrash and liturgy and has a passion for storytelling. Rabbi Ninio believes in the centrality and importance of community and providing a place where people feel valued, included and treasured. In 2024, Rabbi Ninio became the first female rabbi to be awarded an Order of Australia for her service to the Jewish community.

ABOUT MICHAELA KOLOWSKI – Michaela Kalowski is an interviewer, moderator and curator for writers and ideas festivals. Highlight interviews include Margaret Atwood, Amos Oz, Etgar Keret & Stan Grant. She's the curator of Big Weekend of Books, ABC RN’s on-air writers’ festival, now in its fifth year. She also produces and hosts a monthly books conversation event for Petersham Bowling Club. Michaela has conducted radio interviews and presented programs across ABC radio. She's co-presenter & co-writer of a two-part podcast for ABC RN, tracing part of her family’s history, called Laya’s Way Home.

------

ABOUT EMANUEL SYNAGOGUE - Emanuel Synagogue is a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community located in Woollahra, NSW. Committed to fostering a sense of belonging, connection, and Jewish identity, Emanuel Synagogue offers a wide range of services, cultural programs and education for individuals and families of all backgrounds. 

ABOUT WIZO - The Women’s International Zionist Organisation (WIZO) is the largest social welfare organisation in Israel, supporting women, children, families, and the elderly. Since October 7, WIZO has opened emergency daycare centres, built life-saving bomb shelters, and sheltered displaced families. Their mission is to provide welfare, advance the status of women, and strengthen the bond between world Jewry and Israel. WIZO is dedicated to social change, education, and empowerment in Israeli society.

ABOUT NCJWA - Founded in 1923, the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia is the oldest Jewish women’s grassroots organization in the country. We are a proudly feminist and Zionist organisation guided by Jewish values that call on us to improve the lives of women, children, and families. The central call to action for NCJWA is “Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue” (Bereshit 16:20).