Generation Women Sydney - Let’s Talk About Sex
This month, we’re diving into stories of passion, intimacy, and the complexities of desire. Join us for a night where brave women open up about the joys, challenges, and unexpected moments that come with talking about sex. Whether you're looking to explore new perspectives or just curious about the conversations we often shy away from, this event promises to be eye-opening and thought-provoking.
Our performer line-up:
#Team 20s: Kaite McKenna is an American writer, editor, and poet who has called Sydney home for the last five years. Kaite holds a degree in International Relations from Roger Williams University and has worked in gender and LGBTQ issues for nearly a decade. Her work, which explores the relationship between pain and hope, has been featured on SBS and NPR. She thinks you're doing great.
#Team 30s: Margretta Sowah works in brand management and is a freelance copywriter and content marketer. She recently won a writing mentorship with the iconic Sydney Opera House and read her work at the All About Women festival. Outside of work, she loves fashion, poetry and a glass of wine — sometimes together.
#Team 40s: Hayley Blease is passionate about trail running and being in nature, believing that the longer the run, the better the chats. With a background in sports marketing, she now handles communications and engagement for major architectural projects at the University of NSW, aiming to make a positive impact both professionally and personally.
#Team 50s: Suzie Barnett, recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Construction in 2023, boasts 25 years in sustainability and business growth. As the Business Growth & Partnerships lead at Two Good Co, she drives social impact and builds B2B partnerships. Former CEO of Junglefy, Suzie’s expertise spans urban greening and industry leadership.
#Team 60s: Melissa Kang is a medical doctor specialising in youth health. She has worked in a clinic with disadvantaged young people for over 25 years. Currently an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, her research focuses on access to health care for young people, adolescent sexuality and sexual health. Melissa was the writer behind the iconic ‘Dolly Doctor’ column from 1993–2016 and is co-author (with Yumi Stynes) of several books, the latest being Welcome to Sex.
#Team 70s: Menaka Cooke came to Australia in 1973, became a single parent and then educated herself to become an HR manager and later HR Director. She found her passion in retirement in feminist and ageist matters and advocating for victims of domestic violence. She has received awards from the Australian Human Resources Institute, WCEI Australia and The International Alliance of Women World of Difference. She is a newsreader on Radio2RPH and hosts the podcast Colours of Australia.
Generation Women is an award-winning cross-generational storytelling night founded in New York in 2017, Sydney in 2018, and Melbourne in 2020. Each month, six women of note read an original piece on a theme. Of those women, one is in her 20s, her 30s, her 40s, her 50s, her 60s, and her 70s+.
This event is proudly presented by Generation Women Australia, founded by Donna Logue. This event is hosted by Jen Ward. Generation Women was created by Georgia Clark.
THE BERESFORD
354 BOURKE ST, SURRY HILLS NSW 2016
DOORS AT 6.30 PM, SHOW AT 7 PM
Want access to discounted tickets? Become a Generation Women Member to get $10 off the price of your ticket. More info here.
Generation Women Melbourne - Plot Twist: Stories You Never Saw Coming
Sometimes, life throws you a curveball. This September, get ready to hear six performers from the deaf/hard of hearing and deaf/blind community share stories of change. New paths can be invigorating and exciting, or confusing and downright scary. Regardless, the only constant in life is change, so come hear a night of stories about forging your own path, wherever that path takes you.
Our performer line-up:
Team 20s: Nyanakuek Kuol, also known as Anna, is originally from South Sudan and is studying for a BA in Psychology, with a special passion for helping deaf individuals with mental health issues. She is also a disability support worker, currently working on a project to support deaf migrants. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, being in nature, hiking, going to the beach and spending time with loved ones.
Team 30s: Julia Murphy is a qualified Teacher of the Deaf, working in early education, and is also a certified deaf interpreter. Deaf from birth, her first language is Auslan (Australian Sign Language). Her passion lies in language development and empowering young deaf and hard of hearing children to discover their identities. She also loves travel, nature, sport and the Carlton Blues.
Team 40s: Catherine Miller is from a deaf family in Hobart. She grew up with both Auslan and English and was mainstreamed — an experience that significantly shaped her perspective on life and who she is. Catherine then moved to the mainland to become a teacher of the deaf. Catherine became a parent for the first time in her late 30s, which was a delightful surprise. She moved away from education during that period and focused on supporting deaf children outside of the schooling sector as well as working as a policy writer for Deaf Australia, and hasn’t looked back.
Team 50s: Joanna Agius OAM is a profoundly deaf and proud Narungga woman with connections to the Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Wirungu nations in South Australia. A strong advocate for deaf and hard of hearing Aboriginal people in Australia, Joanne founded Deaf Aboriginal Services in 2020. She was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2020 for her contributions to people who are deaf or hard of hearing and to the deaf Aboriginal community.
Team 60s: Heather Lawson has been involved in the deaf community all her life. She was born deaf and Auslan is her first language. During her early 20s, Heather started to lose her vision as a result of Usher Syndrome Type 1, which is genetic. During that challenging time she learned to use tactile Auslan, and was able to develop the confidence and the skills to achieve many goals, including skydiving, rock climbing /abseiling, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and more. She has presented at various deaf, deafblind and disability related conferences and passionately advocates for deafblind people to have access to information and training to improve their knowledge and skills.
Team 70s: Breda Carty worked in deaf education for many years and is now a historian. She has lived in three Australian states and the USA. She has seen (and worked toward) many changes in deaf people’s lives over the years. The older she gets, the more stories she has!
Cocurated by:
Irene Holub is a multidisciplinary artist driven by a profound belief in the transformative potential of creative expression, enabling others to experience this. She believes storytelling is a powerful medium of sharing these experiences and is excited to be part of producing this event.
Melissa Bryson is a qualified Teacher of the Deaf and has worked in various school from early to higher education. She’s a mum of two deaf adult daughters and grandma of three deaf grandsons with another one on the way. She is a qualified Auslan tutor, and provides signs for the wider community to learn on Instagram at @auslanrocks. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, travelling, doing DIY projects and walking in nature.
Generation Women is an award-winning cross-generational storytelling night founded in New York in 2017, Sydney in 2018, and Melbourne in 2020. Each month, six women of note read an original piece on a theme. Of those women, one is in her 20s, her 30s, her 40s, her 50s, her 60s, and her 70s+.
This event is proudly presented by Generation Women Australia, founded by Donna Logue, and is held in support of Deaf Awareness Week. The event has been curated by Irene Holub and Melissa Bryson who will also host. Generation Women was created by Georgia Clark.
7-11 DAWSON ST, BRUNSWICK VIC 3056
DOORS AT 6.30 PM, SHOW AT 7 PM
Want access to discounted tickets? Become a Generation Women Member to get $10 off the price of your ticket. More info here.
Generation Women Wollongong - Throwing Caution to the Wind
This October, we’re diving into “Throwing Caution to the Wind”! Get ready for daring adventures, bold choices and unexpected twists. If you're craving a fresh dose of excitement and adventure, join us for a night celebrating fearless women who embrace risks and live life to the fullest. Grab your tickets now and get ready for a night of stories that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take on the world!
Our performer line-up: TBA
Hosted by Shane Ladymoon. Produced by Donna Logue. Created by Georgia Clark.
THE BUILDERS
61 CHURCH STREET, WOLLONGONG NSW 2500
DOORS AT 6.30 PM, SHOW AT 7 PM
Want access to discounted tickets? Become a Generation Women Member to get $10 off the price of your ticket. More info here.