Victorian Women's Trust Welcomes Dr Kirsten Abernethy as Executive Director

• The Victorian Women's Trust (VWT) has appointed Dr. Kirsten Abernethy as its executive director
• One of the oldest feminist groups in Australia, VWT is dedicated to promoting gender equality
• Dr. Abernethy has been a social scientist, researcher, and advocate for more than 20 years

In honor of its 40th anniversary, the Victorian Women's Trust (VWT), one of Australia's oldest feminist organizations, has appointed Dr. Kirsten Abernethy as its new Executive Director. She will succeed seasoned gender equality advocate Mary Crooks AO.

Dr. Kirsten has been a social scientist, researcher, and activist for over 20 years. "Throughout my entire career, feminism has been central to my work," she stated. Trying to approach problems from a gender perspective just makes sense. Addressing women's outcomes is better for everyone in a country where women make up over half of the population but are underpaid, have fewer leadership roles, and are more likely to experience violence.

Kirsten went on to describe the position as her "dream job," saying, "VWT has long been a bold and compassionate voice for women, girls, and gender diverse people." It is an amazing honor to lead the Trust in its 40th year.

She was referred to as "the ideal leader for this next chapter" by VWT Chair Alana Johnson AM, who cited her track record of advocating for women's equality and workers' rights in Australia's fishing and seafood industries. "Kirsten is dedicated to feminist ideals, which have guided the Trust since 1985, values-driven, and cooperative."

Since 1997, VWT has become a national feminist voice in activism under Mary Crooks' direction. She established initiatives like the Purple Sage Project and the Kitchen Table Conversations model, which gave thousands of people the ability to influence public opinion and policy.

Through its annual grants program, VWT has supported grassroots initiatives since more than 40 years ago, including work that assists women leaving prison, migrant women gaining access to the workforce, and victim-survivors. The appointment of Kirsten marks the beginning of a new chapter in that ongoing custom.

The appointment of Kirsten signifies the Trust's ongoing dedication to fearless, inclusive leadership as it begins a new era, one that builds on its rich history and gets ready to meet the evolving needs of women and gender nonconforming people in the modern world.