Changemakers, advocates recognised as women of the year

Exceptional Australian women are being celebrated for their work in advocacy, entertainment, sport and creative industries as they challenge norms and work for a better future.

Marie Claire Women of the Year awards recognize women; awards in eleven categories: change maker, advocate, eco-warrior, voice of today, champion, entertainer, creator, designer, rising star, powerhouse and icon.

NSW mother and lawyer Emma Mason has been awarded change maker of the year for taking on some of the world’s biggest tech companies and helping spark major digital security reforms.

After her 15-year-old daughter Tilly died by suicide in 2022 following relentless cyberbullying, Ms Mason became a fierce advocate for online protections, including social media access restrictions for under-16s.

Australia’s world-leading social media laws for children will come into force on 10 December.

Ms Mason was invited to speak at the United Nations in September and called for global action to protect children online.

At the end of his powerful speech, he received a standing ovation from leaders and delegates from around the world.

“I’m just a mum from Bathurst trying to change the world,” she told AAP.

“Australia is a small country up against the power of these social media companies but we move to our own rhythm and I think it will have a domino effect with other countries making similar laws.

“We need enough countries to come together to get social media companies to actually change their behavior.”

More than 150 winners, nominees, guests and media walked the red carpet ahead of Thursday night’s ceremony.

Other award winners for 2025 included comedian Kitty Flanagan as entertainer of the year, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant as powerhouse of the year and surfer Molly Picklum as champion of the year.

Digital healthcare founder Grace Toombs was named advocate of the year, along with Nicole Yade, executive director of the Emergency Center for Women and Girls.

Ms. Toombs is a former medical student whose experience seeking help for excruciating pelvic pain, followed by a pap-smear test that revealed pre-cancerous cells when she was just 21, inspired her advocacy for women’s health.

“I realized how easy it was for women to fall off cliffs, and it really made me angry,” she said.

“Health care has historically been barren and unattractive, especially for women… I wanted to give people access to care and make it empowering.”

In early 2025, Ms. Toombs launched June Health, a digital platform designed to make sexual and reproductive health accessible.

June Health sells home STI and cervical screening test kits that have already been used by people in every state and territory in Australia.

“We have truly changed the game for women who have had traumatic medical experiences,” Ms. Toombs said.

“June will be a gateway to healthcare; we hope that if women have a positive experience with us, they will feel confident accessing the wider system.”

All winners were chosen by a panel of judges including former Australian of the Year Grace Tame, comedian Celeste Barber, chef Kylie Kwong and lawyer Brittany Higgins.

Marie Claire editor Georgie McCourt said the nominees and winners were women who were changing the world in big, loud and quiet, fundamental ways.

“This is hard, necessary and often invisible work,” he said.

“These women are not waiting for a better future, they are creating one voice at a time.”