The 2023 ACT Woman of the Year is community sector worker Betty Macharia – a proud African Australian woman who has dedicated many years to volunteering in the ACT community services sector.

Her contributions include volunteering as the executive secretary of the African Australian Council ACT and as an executive in the East African Community Association.

Betty coordinates support for vulnerable women and is passionate about making a difference in mental health, domestic and family violence and overcoming barriers for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. In 2022, Betty pioneered and led the delivery of a cultural Women’s Health Week event themed ‘Dera Night – Our Health, Our Way’.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT CEO Jenny Mobbs has been named the 2023 ACT Senior Woman of the Year.

Jenny has been working to make a difference for older Canberrans through her role. She advocates for the rights of older people and has been a representative on a range of advisory and working groups, including the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing.

The 2023 ACT Young Woman of the Year is Sophie Aboud.

Sophie is an sexual violence activist. Through the STOP Campaign, Sophie led the research and writing of the safe response toolkit, a comprehensive resource for victim-survivors of sexual violence and their supporters in the ACT.

Minister for Women Yvette Berry congratulated all the winners on making a difference in the community.

“Congratulations to all the nominees, finalists and winners of the 2023 ACT Women’s Awards. Each year I look forward to celebrating the incredible contributions the finalists make to our community – and this year was no exception.

“I’d like to acknowledge and thank all the women in our community who work without the expectation of recognition and make a difference in the lives of women and girls in the ACT.”