Blacktown City Council has named Quakers Hill storyteller and mentor Emie Roy as the 2023 Blacktown City Woman of the Year.

Ms Roy was selected from 22 outstanding nominees and received the special honour at Council’s annual International Women’s Day Breakfast on Wednesday, 8 March.

Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said the nominees were all deserving recipients of the award and demonstrated significant commitment to their work and community.

“On International Women’s Day, we come together to celebrate the strength, the leadership and the achievements of the women and girls in our community,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“Blacktown City Council marks International Women’s Day to celebrate the successes and achievements of women, but also, to spotlight the challenges and issues we must continue to address.

“The Blacktown City Woman of the Year for 2023, Ms Roy, is deeply passionate in her storytelling and documenting the lives and challenges of women, in particular, in Western Sydney.

“Ms Roy is the founder of ‘The Stories Untold’, a platform through which she shares stories about the lives of people in Blacktown City and beyond.

“Mr Roy is a dedicated voice for the Blacktown City community and her work is a testament to the passion she has to spotlight issues and start important conversations.

“I congratulate Ms Roy and the 6 finalists on their hard work and dedication.”

In 2022, she curated and co-edited the book, ‘The Light at the End of the Tunnel’, a collection of stories about the pandemic from people across Greater Sydney.

Ms Roy wrote and directed the documentary ‘Unlocked’, which explores how the pandemic changed the lives of 4 people living in Western Sydney.

She is also a mentor and speaker, who inspires women from diverse backgrounds, by challenging traditional gender stereotypes.

Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Blacktown City Women’s Advisory Committee, Councillor Julie Griffiths, said Council was deeply committed to improving the lives of women and addressing the issues which affect women’s health, safety and quality of life.

“The thriving communities of Blacktown City are home to more than 200,000 women and girls, with females making up just over half of our City’s population,” Cr Griffiths said.

“This International Women’s Day urges us all to embrace equity, as a means to achieve real gender equality.

“Greater representation and participation of women, equals more equitable outcomes, that more accurately reflect the needs of our community.

“On International Women’s Day and every day of the year, I urge everyone to play their part in advocating for a gender equal world.

“Challenge gender stereotypes when you hear them. Call out discrimination when you see it. And seek out inclusion wherever you can.”