5 Deadly First Nations Women you need to know this International Women’s Day

by Jade Goodwin
international women's day 2023 crack the code UN Women

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate and champion women because we are all incredible in so many ways! Here at Awesome Black we are all about amplifying, uplifting and showcasing anything and everything First Nations, so this International Women’s Day we’re going to take a moment to celebrate some incredibly inspiring First Nations women who are achieving great things.

Here are 5 First Nations Women you need to know this International Women’s Day.

Taîta Wakada Thaiday-Shinn
Taîta is a proud Nywaigi, Erub & Papua New Guinean person who is always showing up and supporting mob. I love the work they make on their Instagram, @diary.of.a.blak.woman – it’s a new and important space that entertains inspires and educates on topics and people important in Blak culture.

Rae Johnston
Rae is a multi-award-winning journalist, science & tech guru, TV presenter, producer & host of Queens of the Drone Age, one of the 5 deadly Chicken Salt Baes and absolutely gorgeous! Rae is a proud Wiradjuri woman born and raised on Dharug and Gundungurra country in Western Sydney.

Brandi Salmon
Brandi is a proud Wiradjuri and Tongan woman well known for her stunning artwork, particularly ‘The Aunty Collection’. After studying a Bachelor of Creative art, Brandi felt disappointed at the lack of Blak representation in contemporary and historical art and began creating The Aunty series, appropriating traditional artworks to portray First Nations women. Brandi’s artworks are not only stunning but also so important as they are representing mob in a way we’ve never seen before.

Ali Murphy-Oates
Ali is a Ngiyampaa Wailwan person, born and raised on Darkinjung land and now based on Gadigal & Bidjigal land. Ali is the Managing Director at Moogahlin Performing Arts, a freelance producer, arts administrator and consultant. They’re also a huge advocate for First Nations artists and communities, highlighting and showcasing talented mob.

Penelope Towney
Penelope is a young Wiradjuri & Palawa change maker, currently living on Dharawal Country. Her young age doesn’t make her any less inspirational – quite the opposite! She is the Indigenous Literacy Foundations’ youngest ambassador and speaks fluently in language. Recently she worked as a presenter interviewing mob at First & Forever and We Are Warriors at the Powerhouse Museum. Penny is paving her own way, and this is just the beginning – I can’t wait to see what she does next.

These are just some of the MANY incredible First Nations women who inspire me every day. I would also like to shout out to the incredible tiddas I work with, Brooke Scobie and Tully De Vries.

Brooke is a Goorie, queer and neurodivergent single mum, poet, writer, voice-over artist and podcaster – her poetry is so powerful and moving. Tully is a Gamilaroi and Dharug single mum and multi-disciplinary artist and producer. She makes the most incredible art, and honestly, no outfit is complete without a Lost Country accessory.

Happy International Women’s Day – whatever you’re doing to celebrate today make sure you show some love to the incredible women in your life and give a follow to one (or all) of the deadly women on this list!

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