Alywarre woman Pat Anderson said she acknowledged the work of many women upon receiving an Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Award mid October for her work in public policy.
"I am honoured to receive this recognition together with some outstanding Australian women," Ms Anderson .
"I also take this opportunity to celebrate the significant contribution that many strong, proud and hardworking women are making every day to their communities around the country."
Ms Anderson has dedicated her career to improving the health and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by creating campaigns and building relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, academics, health services and policymakers.
She currently chairs , which researches health issues affecting Indigenous people of Australia, and in partnership with academic institutions and government is working to close the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous and other Australians.
I am honoured to receive this recognition together with some outstanding Australian women
"The rights and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been central to my long career in education, primary health care, health research, early childhood development, violence against women and children, and, more broadly, the public policy implications of the social determinants of health," she told NITV in September when she was named one of the review and Westpac’s .
Lowitja Institute CEO Romlie Mokak told media he was honoured she was a part of the organisation.
"As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation working for the health and wellbeing for Australia's First Peoples, it is our privilege to have Ms Anderson’s wisdom and experience in advocacy, collaboration and governance lead our board," he said.
Before Lowitja, Ms Anderson undertook roles such as the CEO of Danila Dilba Health Service in Darwin and chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
She has contributed at the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous People overseas and co-authored the QC Little Children Are Sacred report with Rex Wild QC about the abuse of Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory back home.
It is our privilege to have Ms Anderson’s wisdom and experience in advocacy, collaboration and governance lead our board
In 2014 she was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her service to the Indigenous community.
This is the fourth 100 Women of Influence Awards that celebrates the achievements of Australian women.
The awards, which are judged by a panel, were divided into 10 categories: board/management, public policy, diversity, business enterprise, young leader, global, local/regional, innovation, culture and social enterprise.
