Our Pathfinders, Our Wāhine Toa
Since its foundation in July 1988, many women have dedicated part of their lives to the vision and goals of the Auckland Women’s Health Council. Some of our members have been with us since the beginning; some have given what they could to be a voice for women’s health, to effect change for the better for the women/wāhine of Aotearoa New Zealand, for as longs as they felt able to, some contributing to our mahi for months, others for years or decades.
Some of our amazing pathfinders, our wāhine toa, have died while active members and their loss has left holes in the fabric of our organisation. We honour and acknowledge some of those women here.
Lynda Williams
Lynda’s feminist principles and history of advocating and lobbying for women’s rights over birthing choices called her to be one of the founding members of AWHC. She was involved in several of the working groups set up following the release of Judge Cartwright’s Cervical Cancer Inquiry and was appointed as the first patient advocate at National Women‘s Hospital, fulfilling one of the key recommendations from the inquiry…
Jo Fitzpatrick
Jo’s association with AWHC began when, as Director of Women’s Health Action, she provided a place for AWHC to hold its meetings, and she joined the AWHC committee in 2004. Jo was an astute judge of the political processes/dynamics that occurred at various meetings or within the health system. She had integrity and stood firm on issues and in her values. She brought humour and scholarship to the table. Her ability to interpret information quickly and provide direction to us was invaluable to the AWHC…
Judi Strid
Judi was a truly remarkable woman, a leader and one of the most effective change agents in the maternity sector in New Zealand during the 1980s and 1990s. She was an inspiring and hard-working member of the Home Birth movement, Save the Midwives, Maternity Action, as well as many other groups. Few midwives today, and probably not one pregnant woman choosing a midwife to care for her, know just how much they owe to Judi Strid…
Joan Donley
Joan was a fearless champion of women’s rights, an internationally renowned midwife and author, and a much loved and respected AWH Council member. She was a tireless and tenacious advocate and an inspiration to all who worked alongside her. Her legacy lives on in the babies she helped bring into the world, in the organisations she helped found and those she supported, and in her books advocating for normal pregnancy and birth…