Madison Birtchnell is an inspiring young woman who passionately serves and volunteers across Queensland communities helping women and girls. Madison represents Queensland and Australia as an advocate in the Women Deliver Young Leaders Global Program. She is a champion for gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of girls and women, whilst assisting to shape the programs and policies that affect their lives through consultations and awareness campaigns.
Madison mentors younger and marginalised students in various roles including College of Excellence Fellow, Student Leadership Conference Coach and Kickstart Facilitator at QUT. She strives for equality, through QUT’s 180 Degrees Consulting, Enactus Social Entrepreneurship society and Women in Business society.
She was the youngest member appointed to the YWCA Sub-Committee advising Board members to develop National programs and support initiatives for girls and women.
Madison volunteers as the Social Media Manager for National Council of Women of Queensland (NCWQ) to support their work of promoting the empowerment of women and girls. She pursues her passion for humanitarian work by interning with Amnesty International, also supporting the global #bringbackourgirls campaign. She has amplified and championed many causes across her 13 years of volunteering including organising blood bank drives, financial fundraising and donating goods to Share the Dignity, the homeless, Million Paws Walk, and Headspace.
MOST PROUD OF
At age 16, singlehandedly devising an International Women’s Week Conference, funded by Queensland State Government Grant, featuring Honourable Yvette D’Ath.
I believe there’s a social need and responsibility for each of us to volunteer, which was the topic of my TEDx talk last year. I’m extremely proud of 13+ years of volunteering, and the significant positive impact I have had on women and girls, as well as being recognised as GC Young Citizen of the Year, shortlisted as Queensland Young Australian of the Year, and representing Queensland/Australia at the Women Deliver Young Leaders Program in Canada.
WHY I LOVE QUEENSLAND
I love the community spirit, the resilience of individuals in the face of natural disasters. Also, the wonderful Queensland role models that exist and encourage me including Hon Yvette D’Ath and Hon Shannon Fentiman.
MY VISION FOR QUEENSLAND
That one day I will be able to create a legacy which inspires the next generation of community leaders and fosters an environment that realises the potential of young people. Every person should be valued and included, and we should always show another person kindness, respect and understanding.
ADVICE FOR QUEENSLAND WOMEN
Learn and know what you are passionate about, what you want to achieve or contribute to society. Discover what drives you, what your skills, abilities, values are in order for you to work towards your goals. Take a first step, reach out and see what’s out there.
Everyone should volunteer and help another person. Your age or gender should not define what you can accomplish or what you want to achieve and contribute. Be bold, take a chance.
FEMECONOMY HAS PARTNERED WITH THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT’S OFFICE FOR WOMEN TO SHOWCASE QUEENSLAND WOMEN WHO ARE STRIVING TO CREATE GENDER EQUALITY.
Queensland is built by amazing Queenslanders. Every day women in Queensland are taking action to make Queensland safer for women, to help women’s health and wellbeing, to build women’s economic security and to increase women’s participation in the workforce and female leadership. Femeconomy is showcasing 20 women from across Queensland that are delivering the Queensland Government’s Women’s Strategy.
ABOUT FEMECONOMY
You are the female economy. Whether you are a female consumer, business owner or a woman in the workforce, you can create gender equality by choosing female led brands.
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