Lauren Cannell is the 2025 ACT Woman of the Year. Photo: Community Services Directorate/Facebook.
Inspiring women working for a better, more equal world have been recognised in this year’s ACT Women’s Awards.
The ACT Women’s Awards recognise women and gender diverse people who have made an outstanding contribution to the lives of women and girls in the ACT.
Lauren Cannell has been named the 2025 ACT Woman of the Year for her work with Educación Diversa. This international not-for-profit empowers women and girls through innovative art-based educational programs, campaigns and projects.
She is the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer and founder.
Educación Diversa works with children and adolescents in the ACT and globally, teaching them about human rights, sexual and reproductive health, and the elimination of violence in accessible ways.
Ms Cannell said her goal is to help young people reach their potential while also helping to achieve gender equality.
“At Educación Diversa, we use art for accessibility. Typically, in underdeveloped countries, with kids who’ve experienced trauma and/or neglect. We use art as it heals neural pathways, and it means everyone can take part,” she said.
“Most of us in the humanitarian sector don’t do this work for the recognition. We start our own not-for-profits because we see need. Being a finalist and having a platform to grow awareness is so important because it will help me to expand the program nationally and then internationally.”
Jayanti Gupta, who has been named ACT Senior Woman of the Year, is the founder and presenter of the Gender Equity Matters program on 2XX FM.
Through the program, Mrs Gupta has used her platform to highlight issues and achievements relating to gender and women in the ACT.
Jayanti Gupta says she is driven to continue her work after being named in the awards. Photo: Community Services Directorate/Facebook.
She is also the founder and Chair of the Integrated Women’s Network (IWN), which delivers health and wellbeing workshops, as well as International Women’s Day events.
“Being nominated for the ACT Women’s Award is inspiring and motivates you to do more,” she said.
“Many other women have fought for the rights we have achieved today, so why not pass the good deeds around?”
Anjali Sharma describes the award as an “honour and a privilege”. Photo: Community Services Directorate/Facebook.
Climate activist Anjali Sharma, who has been named ACT Young Woman of the Year, has campaigned extensively for environmental reform and justice.
“One of the goals of advocacy is to spread your message and to know that what you’re doing is reaching communities and people on the ground,” she said.
“While awards are never the purpose of activism, it’s a sign that what we’re doing is working, which is an honour and a privilege.”
She is currently leading a team of young women in Canberra to advocate for and champion the Duty of Care Bill, developing the capacity of young women as climate activists in the ACT.
Minister for Women Dr Marisa Paterson MLA congratulated the recipients.
She praised the “impressive work” of the inspiring women who were added to the ACT Women’s Honour Roll in 2025 and of the finalists.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have so many exceptional leaders in the ACT dedicated to uplifting and empowering women and girls in our community,” she said.
“Achieving gender equality is a top priority for the ACT Government, and this can only be achieved through strong collaboration with non-government organisations, businesses, and the wider community.
“Awards like this, which recognise leadership in advancing the status of women and girls, are exceptionally important.”
International Women’s Day is 8 March.
