Community, resilience and a diversity in experiences underpins a new book that delves deep into the stories of female changemakers and role models in Sydney’s west.

Compiled by South Asian writer and community advocate Emie Roy over 10 months, Women of Blacktown tells the stories of 25 women who live and/or work in Blacktown. According to Roy, there was a crucial need for a book of this sort to recognise more women beyond award events, that often happen once a year.

“As an alumnus of the Blacktown City Woman of the Year awards, I had the privilege of engaging with the fabulous work being done by women in the community. However, awards can only honour a limited number of people,” Roy tells Draw Your Box.

“This realisation inspired me to think about creating a collection of real stories about how these women navigated their paths, overcame obstacles and achieved remarkable feats.”

Not only does the book platform well-known politicians and businesswomen, but it also amplifies the work of other community figures doing incredibly important work in their spaces. Examples include Dr Kim Loo, a western Sydney-based GP with Malaysian heritage who actively advocates for a sustainable future; and Nalika Padmasena OAM, a nationally accredited mediator and solicitor originally from Sri Lanka who’s providing leadership in social justice and access to justice.

In recent times, there’s been increased public discourse around the importance of intersectionality at International Women’s Day Events. Therefore, it was particularly uplifting to see the diverse stories of these 25 women spotlighted at the Blacktown City Council’s International Women’s day breakfast on March 7.

“I am delighted that we have been able to maintain diversity as a consistent theme, in many contexts – cultural backgrounds, personal experiences, and the various fields in which these women excel,” says Roy.

“From artists and writers to community leaders to entrepreneurs and professionals to women leaders in the public sector like Hon. Michelle Rowland MP and Councillor Julie Griffiths AM, we have been able to capture the stories of many wonderful women. “

Mayor of Blacktown City, Brad Bunting, was also present at the IWD event. He told Draw Your Box in a statement: “Women of Blacktown – 2025, is a powerful tribute to the strength, courage, and dedication of 25 remarkable women who shape our city. Their stories remind us that real change comes from those who challenge, inspire, and uplift others. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this project possible, the work done on this book means these voices will continue to inspire for years to come.”

As to where we go from now, Roy hopes for several things. She believes that this book can spark more more storytelling around not just these women’s stories, but the stories of many more women creating an impact in this community in particular. Blacktown is rich in culture, history and social change.

“These stories will also be valuable as we tell the social history of the place. As the humans and places change and evolve, these stories and pictures are capturing the present, for tomorrow,” says Roy.

“The vision is that this project/ book will be a start to build a network of strong women, not afraid to bring about change and be willing to work for it.”  

The Women of Blacktown 2025 project has been a collaboration between Blacktown City Libraries, Blacktown City Council, The Stories Untold Collective, and sponsored by Australian Catholic University, Blacktown Campus. 

Top image source: Supplied/Blacktown City Council