Urbanistas SYD International Womens Day 2017: Robyn Kemmis Scholarship Fundraiser

To celebrate International Womens Day, Urbanistas Sydney with the support of UTS is hosting the first annual fundraiser for the Robyn Kemmis Indigenous Scholarship Fund to enable an Indigenous woman to complete a 3 year UTS undergraduate degree.

For our inaugural year, we are honoured and excited to have a line up of amazing panel of women 'in conversation" about how we all can advance gender equality. 

Dr Anne Summers AO is a best-selling author, journalist and thought-leader with a long career in politics, the media, business and the non-government sector in Australia, Europe and the United States. She is author of eight books, including the classic Damned Whores and God’s Police, first published in 1975.  

Professor Kerryn Phelps AM is the Deputy Lord Mayor at the City of Sydney and one of Australia’s best-known public health and LGBTI/human rights advocates. She was the first woman to be elected as President of the Federal Australian Medical Association and is also a past President of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association. In 2016 she was named as one of the 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review. 

Verity Firth is the Executive Director, Social Justice, Equity and Diversity Unit at UTS and a former NSW Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Women. As NSW Minister for Women (2007-2009), Verity, implemented sector-wide strategies to improve women's recruitment, development and employment in the NSW public sector. Before her parliamentary career, Verity worked as a lawyer and was  also Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney. 

Natalie Isaacs is the founder of 1 Million Women and climate change advocate. Natalie is a specialist in marketing to women, keeping them engaged and interested, loyal and passionate. For 22 years she had her own cosmetics company, but a conversation led to an epiphany which led to the start of 1 Million Women. Natalie, her team and the 311,675 followers are inspiring new habits and practical actions to combat climate change – not just now, but for generations to come. "I believed that individuals, and particularly women, had incredible power to change the future" 

Please join us for an inspiring conversation, help amplify the voice of women and honour Robyn's commitment to social change by investing in a young woman’s future. 

6.30pm: Registration + Drinks/Canapes
7.00-8.30pm: 'In Conversation' Advancing Gender Equality
8.30-9.30pm: Drinks and Canapes

About Robyn Kemmis:

Robyn Kemmis (1943-2015) was a much loved member of Glebe for over 40 years. She was a tireless advocate for social justice, women’s rights, social housing tenants and local community groups. Robyn studied econometrics at the University of New England and moved to London to pursue post-graduate studies. While there, Robyn set up the first Women’s Liberation Workshop forum in a vacant Covent Garden house.

Robyn was a key member of the Sydney women’s movement. In 1974, the group claimed squatter’s rights of two cottages in Westmoreland Street, Glebe and opened them to women escaping domestic violence. Elsie’s Refuge was the first modern women’s refuge of its kind and was the catalyst for hundreds of other refuges to be started across Australia.

Robyn was awarded a Centenary Medal for service to business leadership and a City of Sydney Councillor for two terms: 2004-08 and as Deputy Lord Mayor from 2012 until her sudden death in 2015. She is remembered for her activism, integrity, determination, humour and empathy – she exemplified what is good about local communities. 

The scholarship funds will be used to contribute to student fees and academic expenses and to assist with the costs of transport and accommodation. The successful candidate could live on campus or in the local community. To make a donation to the click here