It's International Women's Day and there's no better time to celebrate all of our incredible, talented and inspirational female authors, of which we are lucky to have so many. These women never stop fighting for the causes they believe in and are continually pushing the boundaries of society and gender to make positive changes for all. They are the reason we do and love our job, and in honour of IWD we've shined a spotlight on a select few.
Maria Katsonis, mental health advocate
It takes courage to bare all in a memoir, let alone a memoir that details the backlash you received coming out to your strict Greek parents and the subsequent depression in the years that followed. But that's Maria, she wrote her book The Good Greek Girl to de-stigmatise mental illness and continues to do so through numerous speaking events. She holds the first public service role in Australia exclusively focused on LGBTI reform, is a beyondblue ambassador and will publish the anthology Rebellious Daughters with Lee Kofman in August this year.
Connect with Maria on Twitter at @mariakatsonis, Facebook or her website.
Winsome Thomas, lifelong learner
Proving that age really is just a number, Winsome Thomas prides herself in being a lifelong learner and practitioner. At 71 she has had more careers than most of us have had in a lifetime - she became a psychologist in her fifties and recently became a Licensed Lay Minister in the Anglican Church. We first read about Winsome in Madness, a memoir, a searing account of mental illness written by her most recognisable client, Kate Richards, where she details Winsome's warm and intelligent client-central approach to therapy in the book. Kate openly credits Winsome with saving her life. Now adding 'published author' to her list of achievements, we are releasing Winsome's first book Heart Hungers in April.
Jacqueline Dinan, female history advocate
It's not many women who could set themselves the task of interviewing over 300 women who served Australia in WW2, but Jacqueline Dinan's passion and persistance has ensured this time period for women has been preserved forever in Between the Dances. Spending countless hours travelling across Australia to share these stories and connect with women from this generation, Jacqueline is back writing her next book, a novel based on the true story of 'Granny' McDonald, the first woman to train a Melbourne Cup winner.
Christine Durham, brain injury advocate
In 1992 the life of gifted teacher Christine Durham was turned upside down after she sustained a severe brain injury in a horrific car accident. Determind to return to teaching, after much perseverance and determination Christine was able to rebuild her life, becoming the inspirational leader she is today. Named 2014 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year, she continues to advocate for and empower people with brain injury.
Christine published Unlocking my Brain: Through the Labyrinth of Acquired Brain Injury in February 2014.
Angela Priestley, career motivator
The founding editor of Women's Agenda, the power-packed website for professionally-focused women, Angela spends her days empowering women by writing about careers, gender equality and leadership. She interviewed some of Australia's most successful women in her first book Women who Seize the Moment, and is a strong advocate for career opportunities for all women and men - no matter their life choices.
Connect with Angela on Twitter @angelapriestley
Benison O'Reilly, autism commentator
The go-to commentator on autism in Australia, Benison is a medical writer, pharmacist and autism mum who staunchly defends evidence-based therapy surrounding autism at every turn. Just read this intelligent takedown of a book providing misinformation to parents on The Guardian, impressed yet? Benison is the co-author of The Complete Autism Handbook and Beyond the Baby Blues, both books responsible for helping parents through some of their most tough and confusing times.
Connect with Benison on Twitter @BenisonAnne or her website.