Woman Up: Rising, resisting and owning our strength

This night goes beyond slogans and soundbites. Six women, six decades, each sharing what it really takes to stand tall when the world tells you to shrink. These are stories of courage, resistance and strength found in unexpected places. And here’s the beautiful part: when women rise, we all rise.

If you’ve ever been told you’re ‘not enough’, you’ll feel these stories in your bones. You’ll leave reminded that even when power is denied or stripped away, women’s voices can rise and create change.

This event is proudly supported by the City of Sydney and in partnership with a First Nations led charity (to be announced). Every ticket helps amplify women’s voices and fuel real community impact.

Our Performer Line-up:

Team 20s: Annette Cole is a lawyer, advocate, and community leader committed to advancing the wellbeing, leadership, and visibility of Black women in Australia. She is the Founder and President of Amplify Black Women, a Sydney-based organisation creating spaces for healing, professional growth, and collective empowerment.

Team 30s: Sera Yilmaz is the Strategic Development Manager at Multicultural Disability Advocacy Australia, advancing inclusion for multicultural communities with disability. A former Deputy Mayor of Fairfield City Council, she also works in higher education as a casual academic at Excelsia University College. She holds a PhD in Social Science on skilled migrants’ experiences in Australia and is passionate about community advocacy, cultural diversity, travel and caring for neighbourhood cats – two of whom she has adopted.

Team 40s: Neelima Kadiyala is a digital transformation leader and storyteller with 15 years’ experience across global industries. A migrant woman of colour, she champions inclusion and volunteers to empower women and CALD communities. Her advocacy for gender equality led to her selection as a Superstar of STEM, reflecting her passion.

Team 50s: Gloria Tabi is an author, researcher, TEDx speaker, and transformative Antiracism Specialist. As founder of EVERYDAY INCLUSION, she helps leaders build workplaces where everyone truly belongs. Born in Ghana and shaped by life in Australia, she now leads Enable Women Africa: #InspiringHairFreedom, challenging hair discrimination and celebrating the natural hair Black women and girls are born with.

Team 60s: Donna Ingram is a respected Aboriginal woman from New South Wales, recognised for her longstanding commitment to community leadership, cultural advocacy, and strengthening opportunities for Aboriginal people across NSW.  Grounded in her cultural heritage and community values, Donna has worked across sectors including community development, governance, and social justice. Her work centres on empowering Aboriginal voices, advancing self-determination, and supporting culturally safe pathways in education, employment, and community wellbeing.

Team 70s+: Menaka Iyengar  is a retired HR Director and Educator now working as a Psychotherapist, Coach and Org.Dev. consultant. A strong advocate for women’s and multicultural equity, she is the author of Monsoon Woman. Her national impact has earned major honours, including The International Alliance of Women – World of Difference Award 2022 and an Order of Australia in 2025.