Nineteen women from all walks of life graduated from The Catherine McAuley Award for Women in Leadership and Service on November 19, in a Graduation ceremony to mark their successful completion of the Award in 2011.
The professional women who undertook the 12 month program which attracts women from many different fields such as nursing, medicine, IT, teaching and law aims to provide West Australian women with the opportunity to explore and develop their potential for leadership and service, grounded in Christian spirituality and concern for social justice.
Executive Director Mission and Culture at MercyCare, Anne Fox, said 2011’s awardees were an inspirational group who had learned a great deal to aid their leadership skills as well as their emotional and spiritual selves.
"Everyone involved in the Award would like to congratulate all of this year’s graduates," she said.
"Again this year it has been fantastic to see this talented group of women broaden their understanding of the concept of leadership and gain confidence in their leadership abilities and potential."
"We are very much looking forward to repeating this journey with participants in the 2012 program all of whom will be introduced during the Graduation Ceremony and receive a small gift from the graduating group as a welcome and handover to this new group."
More than 80 people attended the 2011 graduation ceremony.
Now in its 12th year, and with more than 300 women alumni, the Catherine McAuley Award was an initiative of the Sisters of Mercy honouring Catherine McAuley’s desire to educate women because “whatever their station in life, they will always be in a position of influence”. The awards then continue Catherine’s vision of leadership and service in the spirit of compassion and mercy. The Award is now offered as part of MercyCare. The Award is open to women aged 27 – 40+ who demonstrate an enquiring mind, a range of life experiences, energy and vitality, a spiritual life in harmony with the Christian tradition and a potential for community, national and/or international leadership.