She Gives @ the National Library of Australia

She Gives held a special event at the National Library of Australia on the 6^th May, bringing together 35 leaders in women’s giving in Canberra.

Guests enjoyed an inspiring panel discussion led by She Gives Founder Melissa Smith in conversation with Michelle Steele, Kamilaroi/Gomeroi woman and Chief First Nations Officer at the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Anna-Maria Arabia, CEO, Australian Academy of Sciences and National Library Director-General Dr Marie-Louise Ayres. All three women generously shared their insights and personal experiences with giving, along and their hopes for the future of giving in Australia.

Guests on the night also enjoyed a bespoke viewing of materials from iconic Australian women leaders and creators, curated from the Library’s national collection.

The event marked a significant milestone for the She Gives campaign with the announcement of a new oral histories series featuring 20 Australia women philanthropists.

She Gives campaign founder Melissa Smith said the project was a defining moment in the campaign’s mission to elevate the role of women in philanthropy.

“Through the She Gives campaign we’ve heard inspiring stories from women about their giving that demonstrate extraordinary impact across so many sectors and communities. For too long, women’s contributions to social change — often made behind the scenes — have gone unrecognised. Through this partnership with the National Library, we are not only recognising women’s role as influential changemakers, but we are saying ‘this is part of our national story’.

“This landmark project represents a critical milestone in the campaign and in our collective effort to grow giving in Australia at a time of significant need. It is our hope that through these 20 stories — and the 100 stories of giving shared by the broader She Gives campaign — the Australian community can better understand and be inspired by women’s giving now and in the future.”