She Inspires Me Australia #tellyourstory
The founder of She Inspires Me, Michelle Boundy has been traveling all over Australia searching for Australia’s most inspiring women. Why are they, what do they do and why are they inspiring?
Michelle has been working in Government for 30 years supporting our community's most vulnerable people. Outside of her professional life Michelle was the Community Kindness
Champion for the Stay Kind Foundation, which promotes the prevention of harm to youth and the wider community from bullying, hazing, violence, self-harm and suicide, by inspiring
every Australian to actively engage in simple daily acts of kindness.
She implemented highly successful community initiatives including the 50 Walks Project, The Bathers Way Challenge (walking 50 kms nonstop on World Kindness Day) and the 50 Hearts Project. During Mental Health Month in October 2022, she implemented The Elephant in the Room mental health initiative and raised over $25,000 for Lifeline to fund more crisis counsellors and strengthen their ability to respond to calls after the Covid-19 pandemic.
On International Women’s Day in March 2023, Michelle launched her latest community initiative called She Inspires Me which celebrates the contributions and achievements women make in our community.
She Inspires Me was modelled of the NSW Women’s Strategy for 2023-206 which focuses on three (3) key priorities for NSW over the next three (3) years. They are: Economic Opportunity and Advancement, Health & Wellbeing, and Participation and Empowerment. The Women’s Strategy aims to improve outcomes for all women; however, it has a particular focus on improving outcomes for those who experience
greater disadvantage and/or discrimination.
Michelle seeks nominations from the general public for women who they believe are inspiring within our community including workplaces. She then meets with the nominees, captures their stories, and promotes them on our website and social media.
Her #tellyourstory campaign focuses on social issues impacting women in our community, she explores their experiences and the challenges they face within our society. This has included negative life experiences such as discrimination, violence, and homelessness, impacting women's mental health and well-being and contributing to a higher risk of depression.
Michelle has received messages from people all over the world who have found the stories empowering, and inspiring and provide hope to others in a similar situation.
Michelle believes sharing women’s experiences through storytelling can drive change in our community, and influence Government at the State and National level.
In September 2023 Michelle approached former NSW Police Superintendent Allan Sicard about her podcast initiative She Has The Courage to Lead. Allan who served his community from 1980 to 2020 with 15 years as a Police Commander – Superintendent rank. He is widely recognised for his roles in two (2) of Australia’s most significant terrorism-related incidents including the Mosman Collar Bombing in August 2011 and
the Lindt Café Siege in December 2014. Allan is the author of The Courage to Lead Book and The Courage to Lead Podcast Series.
She Has The Courage to Lead Podcast Series cohost with Allan Sicard highlights women who are driving change in our communities and workplaces. To date, Michelle has spoken about several women including Vanessa Fowler OAM founder of the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation who invited Michelle to the Strive to be Kind Day in Queensland in July 2023 which was attended by the Premier of QLD and the Commissioner of QLD Police.
On the podcast, Michelle also highlights men who are driving change in this country which Michelle calls her Change Champions. This includes NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Hurst who has undertaken great work in the violence against women area here in NSW and Chris Boyle founder of StandbyU for his work in QLD.
Michelle stated that She Inspires Me has now become one of Australia’s much-loved, influential and fastest-growing movements across the country with over 12,500 followers on Linkedin.
She Inspires Me Ambassadors include Katherine Berrney Director of the National Safety Alliance, Joanna Abraham, President of Victorian Women Lawyers (VWL), Lauren Cassimatis founder of Gallant Lawfirm Connecting Lawyer Mums, Corinne West is Head of Diversity and Inclusion at King & Wood Mallesons Law Firm, Belinda Hughes National Director of Prosecutions with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and young Keeley Johnston founder of Keeley’s Cause.
In 2024 Michelle will be launching a series of Coffee Table Books called She Inspires Me and She Has The Courage to Lead which will highlight some of this country’s most inspiring and influential women. She would like to donate a percentage of the proceeds from her book sales to local charities which will include The Rev Bill Crews Foundation and the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation.
Michelle would like people within the Sydney region to nominate women in their community they believe are inspiring. Michelle who promotes inspiring women on her website and social
media for free, states as founder of She Inspires Me my aim to empower and enhance the lives of women in this country. Through my #tellyourstory initiative I want women to be seen and heard and create kinder and safer communities for women and their children.
She Inspires Me Website: www.sheinspiresmeaustralia.com
Nominations: www.sheinspiresmeaustralia.com/contact
Contact Michelle here: michelle@sheinspiresmeaustralia.com
