_We fought to have our voices heard and imagined a different Australia,_  Wendy McCarthy, _Dont Be Too Polite, Girls_.

If your dad was at your birth, you can thank Wendy McCarthy AO and her fellow campaigners who fought for this right in the late 1960s.

Access to contraception, sexual health information, and reproductive rights was also helped along by Wendy, who headed up the Family Planning Association and Women's Electoral Lobby in the 70s.

She was truly in the spotlight when, alongside 79 others, she took out a **full-page newspaper ad** announcing her 1963 illegally-terminated pregnancy. It was a challenge to authorities to arrest the group of university-educated women.

In fact, at every turn and for **every significant reform of policy** affecting Australian women, you will probably find Wendy McCarthy among the advocates and agitators.

[**_Free Download_**_: 10 Leadership Qualities That Will Help Solve Challenges in 2022_](https://thegrowthfaculty.ac-page.com/monograph-leadership2022)

**Event for Just Launched Memoir "Don't Be Too Polite, Girls"**

The feminist and corporate businesswoman has published her second memoir _Dont Be Too Polite, Girls_ , capturing her journey from a childhood in Orange, NSW, to her 50-year career as an educator and supporter of the rights of women and families, as well as many other causes. Wendy will speak about _Dont Be Too Polite, Girls_ as part of Growth Facultys March 7-11 [free week](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/event.php?eventId=a1J4G00000BPxc0UAD&promoCode=Blog&recacheSoql=true) of live virtual events for International Womens Day $IWD$ 2022.

**Snapshot of Wendy's extraordinary life**

Winning a teaching scholarship at 16, Wendy went on to teach in Sydney, London, and the U.S. Later, while pregnant, she and her husband joined the Childbirth Education Association, campaigning on several issues including the rights of a father to attend their childs birth.

**1970s: Reproductive rights and more**

She started the Womens Electoral Lobby NSW branch in 1972, before taking on executive roles at state level then CEO at national level for the Family Planning Association.

Appointed to the new National Womens Advisory Council set up in 1978 to advise the Prime Minister, Wendy represented Australia at overseas conferences on womens and other issues.

**1980s: Education and Communications**

In the 1980s she was deputy chair of the ABC and headed up the communications for the Australian Bicentennial Authority.

She was influential in the education sector with positions at NSW Higher Education Board and Education Commission.

In 1989, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her outstanding contributions.

**1990s: Top leadership roles in progressing women, health, and heritage**

In the 90s, Wendy was a founding member of Chief Executive Women, which to this day helps womens progress, via advocacy, research, targeted programs and scholarships.

During this time, she was Chair of the Australian Heritage Commission, CEO of the National Trust, Chancellor of the University of Canberra, and a director of Star City casino's board.

She also held many significant leadership roles in the public and womens health sectors and was a member of the Royal College of Physicians Research and Education Foundation.

The University of South Australia awarded her an honorary doctorate.

**Early-to-mid-2000s: International and national roles in health and children's welfare.**

During the early-to-mid 2000s, Wendy took on international appointments. These included Chair roles within the WHO Kobe Centre and at Plan Australia, and she was Global Deputy Chair for Plan International. Wendy was also Chair of the Pacific Friends of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and patron of the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance.

In 2003 she was awarded a Centenary of Federation medal for business leadership, and soon after was nominated for SMHs Australias Top 100 Public Intellectuals.

**In recent decades: Leadership in mental health, arts and multiculturalism**

Later, and for eight years, she was Chair of headspace  the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.

In the arts, she was Chair of Symphony Australia and a long-time Chair of Circus Oz. Wendy was also a Director at Australian Multicultural Foundation.

**Now: Continuing leadership in gender equality, sustainability, and education**

Now in her 80s, Wendy McCarthy remains capable and active. She is currently Deputy-Chair of Goodstart Early Learning, a non-executive Director of a litigation funder, patron of the Sydney Womens Fund, ambassador for 1 Million Women, and advisor to gender equality consulting firm Grace Papers.

**Growth Faculty IWD 2022 Free Events**

For Growth Facultys week of [free live virtual events](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/event.php?eventId=a1J4G00000BPxc0UAD&promoCode=Blog&recacheSoql=true), Wendy will be followed by other speakers including:

- **Jennifer Brown** , internationally renowned inclusivity consultant and author of How to Be an Inclusive Leader and Beyond Diversity.

- **Kemi Nekvapil** , author of Power: A Womens Guide to Living, Leading Without Apology and The Gift of Asking. Having studied leadership and purpose at The Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan, Kemi is a wellness consultant and international speaker who has trained with Bren Brown as a Dare to Lead  Facilitator.

- **A panel** of male champions of change.

It's free to [register to attend](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/event.php?eventId=a1J4G00000BPxc0UAD&promoCode=Blog&recacheSoql=true), and is open to everyone.

**Checklist for leaders**

Growth Facultys access to global thought leaders offers new frameworks and insights to the growing call for change. Inspired by IWD 2022s theme \#breakthebias weve compiled a checklist to help company executives and boards self-assess how theyre supporting women leadership in 2022. [Download our checklist now.](https://thegrowthfaculty.ac-page.com/whitepaperbreakthebias)

_If you'd like to increase your professional and personal development why not consider becoming a Leadership Pass Holder with Growth Faculty? Unlimited access to 40 live virtual masterclasses and Global Headliner virtual events - PLUS year-round leadership content at On Demand with videos, podcasts and book summaries. Join a community of knowledge seekers who are inspired by the best. Access $7500+ value for just $498 AUD._[ __](https://join.thegrowthfaculty.com/#plans)[**_See what's included._**](https://join.thegrowthfaculty.com/#plans)

References and extra reading:

Wendy McCarthy page, _Wikipedia_

_Don't Be Too Polite, Girls_ by Wendy McCarthy

G. Rushton, 2019, _This Woman Advertised Her Illegal Abortion In A 1970s Newspaper. She's Been Fighting For Change Ever Since, Buzzfeed._

At 80, Wendy McCarthy warns Dont Be Too Polite, Girls

Growth Faculty free event features memoir of one of Australia's most experienced leaders

Keep informed
Stay Inspired

At 80, Wendy McCarthy warns Dont Be Too Polite, Girls

Growth Faculty free event features memoir of one of Australia's most experienced leaders

Keep informedStay Inspired

Keep informed
Stay Inspired