A champion for female equality in law and national aged care advocate has been named the 2021 Newcastle Woman of the Year.
Catherine Henry was selected for her enduring commitment to mentoring and elevating women in the legal profession, her tireless advocacy for reform in the aged care sector and decades of support for local organisations and charities.
Among her long list of achievements is a tenure as president of the Newcastle Law Society, her appointment as a national spokesperson on aged care for the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) and, last year, was the winner of the ALA’s Civil Justice Award.
Ms Henry said it was an honour to be recognised in a city of wonderful women.
“It’s vital for businesses and business leaders to support the communities in which they operate,” she explained.
“The law is an important tool for citizens and community groups to gain justice, to address inequity and also to hold governments and people with power to account.
“I have the privilege of being a lawyer.
“So, I feel it is important to use my expertise to advocate for people, particularly some of our most vulnerable.”
Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp said Ms Henry’s impressive achievements could not be overlooked.
“Catherine is an absolute powerhouse, and a tireless fighter for every cause she sinks her teeth into,” he stated.
“There is a reason she is being recognised by her profession on a national level.
“We are so lucky that she is a Novocastrian.”
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